Past simple tense worksheets focus on the use of the verb 'to be' in various forms, including affirmative, negative, and question formats. These exercises are designed for ESL students to practice their understanding of past tense verbs through engaging activities. The worksheets cover a range of topics, including regular and irregular verbs, and provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in context. Ideal for teachers and learners looking to enhance their grammar skills, these resources support effective language learning and comprehension.

Key Points

  • Includes exercises on affirmative and negative forms of 'to be' in past tense.
  • Features regular and irregular verb practice for comprehensive learning.
  • Offers yes/no and information questions to enhance question formation skills.
  • Provides engaging activities suitable for ESL learners at various levels.
newtopiccyclegrowin
14 pages
Language:English
Type:Worksheet
newtopiccyclegrowin
14 pages
Language:English
Type:Worksheet
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Verb ÒTo BeÓ Past Tense Ð Affirmative and Negative
A. Put the correct form of the verb Òto beÓ (was/were) in the past tense in the following sentences.
1. Judy __________________ sick yesterday.
2. We __________________ in the same class last year.
3. I __________________ tired after a long day at work.
4. The weather __________________ beautiful yesterday.
5. Last semester my teachers __________________ very good.
6. The children __________________ hungry after so much exercise.
7. The wind __________________ very strong last night.
8. She __________________ very happy last week.
9. They __________________ nervous on the first day of school.
10. Luckily, the windows __________________ closed during the rain storm.
11. We __________________ very happy to get your letter last week.
12. The boys __________________ tired after the ball game.
B. Put the correct negative form of the verb Òto beÓ (wasnÕt/ werenÕt) in the following sentences.
1. They __________________ at school yesterday because it was Saturday.
2. He __________________ hungry at supper time because he ate a big lunch.
3. Carol __________________ happy to see her boyfriend with another girl.
4. Bonnie __________________ at home last night when I called her.
5. The teacher __________________ satisfied with the studentÕs work.
C. Complete the following sentences with wasnÕt or werenÕt.
Ex. I am at work today, but I wasnÕt here yesterday.
1. It is cold outside today, but _______________________________________________________.
2. She is sick today, but _______________________________________________________.
3. They are at school today, but _______________________________________________________.
4. The TV show is good today, but _______________________________________________________.
5. The apples are sweet today, but _______________________________________________________.
6. The class is interesting today, but _______________________________________________________.
7. The boss is angry today, but _______________________________________________________.
8. The door is locked today, but _______________________________________________________.
9. The exercises are easy today, but _______________________________________________________.
1
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Grammar Practice Worksheets
Simple Past
Past Tense of the Verb ÒTo BeÓ Ð Yes/No Questions
Practice making questions and giving short answers with the verb Òto beÓ in the past tense.
Ex. Were you tired last night?
Yes, I was. (I was tired last night.)
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (It wasnÕt cold outside yesterday.)
2. _________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ (They werenÕt sick last week.)
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ (Don was at the office last Saturday.)
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________ (The car was expensive.)
5. _________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (The children werenÕt excited.)
6. _________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ (The store wasnÕt open.)
7. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________ (The movie was interesting.)
8. _________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ (The food wasnÕt good.)
2
Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESLlibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact
info@esl-library.com
for complete details.
Grammar Practice Worksheets
Simple Past
Past Tense of the Verb ÒTo BeÓ Ð Information Questions
Use the correct question word (who, what, where, when, why, how many) and the correct form of the verb
Òto beÓ in the past tense to make questions. The underlined words are the answers to the questions.
Ex. Why was she absent yesterday?
She was absent because she was sick.
1.___________________________________________________________________________________
She was tired because she worked hard all day
.
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________
She was at the mall
last night.
3. ___________________________________________________________________________________
There were twenty people
at the party.
4. ___________________________________________________________________________________
A diamond ring
was in the box.
5. ___________________________________________________________________________________
The secretary was in the office
.
6. ___________________________________________________________________________________
The students were absent last Tuesday
.
7. ___________________________________________________________________________________
She was late because she missed her bus.
8. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Jones
was at the door.
3
Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESLlibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact
info@esl-library.com
for complete details.
Grammar Practice Worksheets
Simple Past
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FAQs

What types of exercises are included in the past simple worksheets?
The past simple worksheets include a variety of exercises focusing on the verb 'to be' in both affirmative and negative forms. Students will practice forming yes/no questions and information questions, allowing them to develop their questioning skills. Additionally, there are sections dedicated to regular and irregular verbs, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of past tense usage.
How can these worksheets help ESL students improve their grammar?
These worksheets are specifically designed to reinforce the understanding of past tense verbs, which are crucial for effective communication in English. By practicing with both affirmative and negative forms, as well as question formation, students can gain confidence in their grammar skills. The varied exercises cater to different learning styles, making it easier for students to grasp the concepts.
Who can benefit from using these past simple worksheets?
These past simple worksheets are beneficial for ESL students of all ages who are looking to improve their grammar skills. Teachers can use them as supplementary materials in the classroom or assign them as homework. Additionally, self-learners can utilize these resources to practice and reinforce their understanding of past tense verbs independently.
What is the focus of the past simple tense practice?
The focus of the past simple tense practice is to help students understand and apply the rules of past tense verbs, particularly the verb 'to be'. The worksheets guide learners through various forms and usages, ensuring they can effectively communicate past events. This foundational knowledge is essential for building more complex grammatical structures in English.
Are there any specific themes covered in the worksheets?
The worksheets cover themes related to everyday activities and experiences, allowing students to relate the exercises to real-life contexts. By using familiar scenarios, learners can better engage with the material and see the practical application of past tense verbs in their communication.