English Grammar Exercises: Past simple

Exercise 1 

Read what Laura says about a typical working day:

I usually get up at 7 o'clock and have a big breakfast. I walk to work, which takes me about half an hour. I start work at 8.45. I never have lunch. I finish work at 5 o'clock. I'm always tired when I get home. I usually cook a meal in the evening. I don't usually go out. I go to bed at about 11 o'clock, and I always sleep well.

Yesterday was a typical working day for Laura. Write what she did or didn't do yesterday.

1) _____ at 7 o'clock.

2) She ________ a big breakfast.

3) She ________

4) It ________ to get to work.

5) _____ at 8.45.

6) _____ lunch.

7) _____ at 5 o'clock.

8) _____ tired when ________ home.

9) _____ a meal yesterday evening.

10) _____ out yesterday evening.

11) _____ at 11 o'clock.

12) _____ well last night.

Show answers

1)

1   She got up

2   She had

3   She walked to work

4   It took her (about) half an hour

5   She started work

6   She didn't have (any) lunch. / … eat (any) lunch.

7   She finished work

8   She was tired when she got home.

9   She cooked

10   She didn't go

11   She went to bed

12   She slept

Exercise 2 

Complete the sentences using the following verbs in the correct form:

buy   catch   cost   fall   hurt   sell   spend   teach   throw   write

1) Mozart ________ more than 600 pieces of music.

2) 'How did you learn to drive?' ' father ________ me.'

3) We couldn't afford to keep our car, so we ________ it.

4) Dave ________ down the stairs this morning and ________ his leg.

5) Joe ________ the ball to Sue, who ________ it.

6) Ann ________ a lot of money yesterday. She ________ a dress which ________ £100.

Show answers

2)

1   wrote

2   taught

3   sold

4   fell … hurt

5   threw … caught

6   spent … bought … cost

Exercise 3 

You ask James about his holiday. Write your questions.

Hi. How are things?

               Fine, thanks. I've just had a great holiday.

1) Where ________ ?

               To the U.S. We went on a trip from San Francisco to Denver.

2) How ________ ? By car?

               Yes, we hired a car in San Francisco.

3) It's a long way to drive. How long ________ to get to Denver?

               Two weeks.

4) Where ________ ? In hotels?

               Yes, small hotels or motels.

5) _____ good?

               Yes, but it was very hot – sometimes too hot.

6) _____ the Grand Canyon?

               Of course. It was wonderful.

Show answers

3)

1   did you go

2   did you travel I did you go

3   did it take (you)

4   did you stay

5   Was the weather

6   Did you go to / Did you see / Did you visit

Exercise 4 

Complete the sentences. Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.

1) It was warm, so I ________ off coat. (take)

2) The film wasn't very good. I ________ it much. (enjoy)

3) I knew Sarah was busy, so I ________ her. (disturb)

4) We were very tired, so we ________ the party early. (leave)

5) The bed was very uncomfortable. I ________ well. (sleep)

6) The window was open and a bird ________ into the room. (fly)

7) The hotel wasn't very expensive. It ________ much to stay there. (cost)

8) I was in a hurry, so I ________ time to phone you. (have)

9) It was hard carrying the bags. They ________ very heavy. (be)

Show answers

4)

1   took

2   didn’t enjoy

3   didn't disturb

4   left

5   didn't sleep

6   flew

7   didn't cost

8   didn't have

9   were

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