Past Simple ( Regular / Irregular Verbs ) Test A1

Question 1

A: We _____ to the city museum three days ago.

B: Oh, how nice!

Three days ago is in the past, so we use the past simple. Go is irregular: go → went.

Question 2

Victor _____ some bad news from Ted yesterday and _____ sad.

Yesterday shows the past, so both verbs are in the past simple. Both are irregular: hear → heard, become → became.

Question 3

_____ she _____ your books back last week?

Past simple questions use Did + the base verb: Did she bring…? The clue is last week.

Question 4

They often _____ questions in meetings. They just make presentations.

Often shows a habit, and They just make presentations is in the present. So we use the present simple: don't answer. Not didn't answer, because the sentence is about now, not the past.

Question 5

I _____ my house last week, but it _____ dirty again now.

Last week needs the past simple: cleaned. Now needs the present: is. Not was, because of the word now.

Question 6

Basil _____ an operation on his stomach last year and now he _____ no problem with it.

Last year needs the past simple: had. Now needs the present simple: has.

Question 7

I _____ the window and _____ a deep breath before the exam yesterday.

Yesterday shows the past. Open is regular: opened. Take is irregular: took.

Question 8

He _____ fishing three times a week because he _____ spending time by the lake.

Three times a week shows a habit, so we use the present simple with -s for he: goes, loves.

Question 9

Nina _____ in the park alone yesterday morning and she _____ a book.

Yesterday morning shows the past. Both verbs are irregular: sit → sat, read → read (same spelling, but it sounds like red).

Question 10

The twins _____ an experiment in the lab these days, so they _____ usually busy.

These days shows something happening around now, so we use the present continuous: are doing. Usually needs the present simple: are.

Question 11

A: When _____ your clients sign the document?

B: Four days ago.

Past simple questions use did + the base verb: When did your clients sign…? The answer Four days ago shows the past. Not were, because sign is a main verb, so we need did.

Question 12

Thomas _____ up in the morning and _____ his best clothes because that day was important for him.

That day was important shows the past. Both verbs are irregular: wake → woke, wear → wore.

Question 13

Mandy _____ her arm two weeks ago and she _____ now.

Two weeks ago needs the past simple: broke. Now needs the present: can't write. Not didn't write, because of the word now.

Question 14

Chris and Frances often _____ camping when they were young, but now they often _____ holiday inns.

When they were young needs the past simple: went. Now needs the present simple: prefer. Not are preferring, because we don't usually use prefer in the -ing form.

Question 15

The police officer _____ the driver right now because he _____ a traffic rule a few minutes ago.

Right now needs the present continuous: is talking. A few minutes ago needs the past simple: broke (break → broke).

Question 16

He _____ his homework but _____ it at home because he left home in a hurry yesterday morning.

Yesterday morning and left show the past, so both verbs are in the past simple: do → did, forget → forgot.

Question 17

I always _____ up late in the past because I was unemployed, but I'm working now and _____ up early to go to the office on time.

In the past needs the past simple: got. Now and a daily habit need the present simple: get.

Question 18

We _____ very hard last night to finish the project on time, but it is the weekend now and we _____ a break.

Last night needs the past simple: worked. Now needs the present continuous: are having. Not had, because of the word now.

Question 19

A: What _____ you tell Tom last night?

B: I _____ him the truth.

The question uses did + the base verb: What did you tell…? The answer uses the past form: told. Not did / tell, because a positive answer needs told, not tell.

Question 20

A: Where _____ you go for a holiday last summer?

B: We _____ to Portugal.

Last summer shows the past. Questions use did + base verb: Where did you go? Answers use the past form: We went.

Past Simple ( Regular / Irregular Verbs ) Test A1 – A2 Grammar Exercises

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