Perfecto or indefinido

Question

It seems like one of the quiz questions and the examples you give for past participles use the pretérito perfecto for what should be the pretérito indefinido as translated from English. Examples: we wouldn’t say I’ve written to my girlfriend if we wanted to say I wrote to my girlfriend or I’ve returned from work for I returned from work. Please explain why the perfecto is used in the statements and not the indefinido.

Answer

Hola Herb,
The use of El Pretérito Perfecto in Spanish isn't generally translated as the present perfect in English, but mainly the simple past (El Pretérito Indefinido). Here is a lesson explaining this. Have a look here.
I hope it helps.
Saludos
Inma