The Past Form Of Verb To Be, There Was, There Were Test A1 A2 Level Exercises

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Question 1

A: _____ there many people at the party?

B: Yes, there _____ hundreds of people.

A	Was / was
B	Was / were
C	Were / was
D	Were / were

Question 1 Explanation:

People is plural, so we use were in the question and in the answer: Were there many people? There were hundreds.

Question 2

David _____ in London _____.

A	is / last month
B	was / two weeks ago
C	is / yesterday
D	were / two weeks ago

Question 2 Explanation:

Two weeks ago is in the past, so we use was with David (one person): David was in London two weeks ago.

Question 3

A: _____ there a cinema in your town in 2000?

B: No, _____.

A	Were / they were
B	Was / it was
C	Were / there weren't
D	Was / there wasn't

Question 3 Explanation:

A cinema is one thing and 2000 is in the past, so we say Was there…? The short answer is No, there wasn't.

Question 4

Today _____ sunny but yesterday _____ rainy.

A	is / was
B	is / is
C	was / is
D	are / was

Question 4 Explanation:

Today is now, so we use is. Yesterday is in the past, so we use was.

Question 5

My grandfather _____ at the hospital for some tests at the moment.

A	was
B	were
C	is
D	are

Question 5 Explanation:

At the moment means now, so we use is with my grandfather (one person).

Question 6

We _____ at the cinema yesterday but the film _____ a waste of time.

A	was / were
B	was / was
C	were / were
D	were / was

Question 6 Explanation:

Yesterday is in the past. We use were with we and was with the film (one thing).

Question 7

How many _____ there in your class last year?

A	students are
B	students were
C	student is
D	student was

Question 7 Explanation:

After How many we use a plural noun (students). Last year is in the past, so we use were.

Question 8

Clara _____ born on 14th May. She _____ 3 years old now.

A	are / are
B	were / is
C	is / is
D	was / is

Question 8 Explanation:

We always say was born for the past. Now tells us to use is for her age today.

Question 9

_____ there any new films on show at the moment?

A	Are
B	Were
C	Is
D	Was

Question 9 Explanation:

At the moment means now, and films is plural, so we use Are there…?

Question 10

A: _____ you at home two hours ago?

B: No, I _____. I _____ with my friends.

A	Are / am not / was
B	Were / wasn't / was
C	Was / wasn't / was
D	Were / was / was

Question 10 Explanation:

Two hours ago is in the past. We say Were you…? but I wasn't and I was.

Question 11

A: _____ there any televisions in 1800?

B: No, _____.

A	Were / they weren't
B	Were / there weren't
C	Was / there wasn't
D	Was / it wasn't

Question 11 Explanation:

Televisions is plural and 1800 is in the past, so we say Were there…? The short answer is No, there weren't.

Question 12

My mother _____ a retired teacher so she is usually at home.

A	is
B	isn't
C	was
D	wasn't

Question 12 Explanation:

She is retired now, so we use is: My mother is a retired teacher.

Question 13

A: Where _____ Helen last night?

B: I really don't know.

A	are
B	were
C	is
D	was

Question 13 Explanation:

Last night is in the past, and Helen is one person, so we use was.

Question 14

The 1996 Olympic Games _____ in Atlanta.

A	are
B	were
C	is
D	be

Question 14 Explanation:

1996 is in the past and Games is plural, so we use were.

Question 15

What _____ your favourite subject at high school, Dad?

A	are
B	were
C	is
D	was

Question 15 Explanation:

Dad's school days are in the past, and subject is one thing, so we use was.

Question 16

My room _____ in a mess two hours ago but now it is tidy.

A	is
B	isn't
C	was
D	wasn't

Question 16 Explanation:

Two hours ago is in the past, so we use was. The room was messy then, but it is tidy now.

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The Past Form Of Verb To Be, There Was, There Were Test A1 A2 Level Exercises

The Past Form Of Verb To Be, There Was, There Were Test A1 A2 Level Exercises

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