Past simple
Form regular past verbs with the correct -ed spelling change; Learn irregular past forms separately; Use didn't + base verb for ordinary negatives; Use did + subject + base verb for ordinary questions; Use the past simple for finished actions and narrative sequences.
1. What is the correct past form of plan?
Multiple Choice20sAplanned✓BplanedCplaniedDplanning💡 A short verb ending in one vowel + one consonant doubles the final consonant before -ed.
2. Except for be, the past simple positive form is the same for all subjects.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 The ordinary past form does not change for third-person subjects.
3. We didn't _____ (take) a taxi because the station was nearby.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedtake💡 After didn't, use the base form take rather than the past form took.
4. Which sentence contains the correct irregular past form?
Multiple Choice20sAThey grew vegetables last year.✓BThey growed vegetables last year.CThey grown vegetables last year.DThey did grew vegetables last year.💡 Grow has the irregular past form grew.
5. Match each base verb to its past simple form.
Matching30sgrow→grewcut→cutwear→worechat→chatted💡 Irregular forms must be learned, while chatted follows the final-consonant doubling rule.
6. Did she _____ (go) to the exhibition yesterday?
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedgo💡 A past simple question uses did + subject + base verb go.
7. Put the chunks in order to make a past simple yes/no question.
Put in Order30s- 1.Did
- 2.they
- 3.visit
- 4.the museum
- 5.on Monday?
💡 The question rule is Did + subject + base verb + object + finished time.
8. Which regular past spelling is correct?
Multiple Choice20sAcopied✓BcopyedCcopppedDcopyd💡 A verb ending in consonant + y changes y to i before -ed.
9. After did in a past simple question, the main verb also takes a past ending.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Did carries the past meaning, so the main verb is not marked for past again.
10. They _____ (go) home as soon as the concert ended.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwent💡 Go has the irregular past simple form went for a finished action.
11. Which sentence is the best example of a finished past action?
Multiple Choice20sAMaya submitted the form yesterday.✓BMaya submits the form every day.CMaya is submitting the form now.DMaya has the form on her desk.💡 A completed action at the finished time yesterday uses the past simple.
12. Match each verb to the correct regular or irregular past form.
Matching30smove→movedwrite→wroteplay→playeddo→did💡 Moved and played follow regular spelling rules; wrote and did are irregular.
13. The bus _____ (stop) suddenly, so everyone held on to their seats.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedstopped💡 Stop doubles the final consonant before the regular past ending -ed.
14. We commonly use the past simple to tell finished events in a story.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Narrative sequences of completed past events are a main use of the past simple.
15. Which negative sentence is correctly formed?
Multiple Choice20sAHe didn't sleep well.✓BHe didn't slept well.CHe not slept well.DHe doesn't slept well.💡 An ordinary past negative uses didn't + base verb.
16. Put the chunks in order to make a short narrative sequence.
Put in Order30s- 1.She opened
- 2.the car door
- 3.and started
- 4.the engine.
💡 Completed events that happen one after another use past simple forms.
17. The passengers _____ (be) very tired after the long journey.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwere💡 The past form of be with a plural subject is were; be is the stated exception to the ordinary did pattern.
18. Which sentence correctly uses an irregular past form that does not change?
Multiple Choice20sAThe pilot set the controls before take-off.✓BThe pilot setted the controls before take-off.CThe pilot did setted the controls before take-off.DThe pilot sets the controls yesterday.💡 Set is an irregular verb whose past simple form is also set.
19. A third-person singular past verb normally ends in -s as well as its past ending.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Past simple agreement differs from present simple agreement.
20. The children _____ (play) outside until it became dark.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedplayed💡 Play ends in vowel + y, so it simply adds -ed for a finished past action.