The Past Simple Tense Exercise 1

Define regular and irregular verbs. Name their second form.

To be, to work, to study, to learn, to rest, to read, to write, to go, to come, to make, to do, to sit, to stand, to play, to speak, to say, to walk, to meet, to know.

Exercise 2

Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the Past Simple Tense.

1. Yesterday I went to London to see a friend of mine.

2. Last winter he often worked in the library.

3. The manager entered the office, sat down at his desk and began to look through the morning mail.

4. When I arrived at the station, I went to the booking-office and bought a ticket.

5. He called when I was at the University.

6. Yesterday it was very cold, but today it is much warmer.

7. When did he come here first?

8. You were surprised, weren't you? It gave you a start, didn't It?

9. Did you go there or not?

10. Brian came home, switched on the lights and sank into an armchair.

11. 'Did you see Веtty yesterday?'

'Oh yes, but she refused to talk'.

Exercise 3

Make the following interrogative and negative.

1. The teacher repeated the question. 2. The boys played football in the afternoon. 3. The girl caught cold. 4. Mother turned off the gas. 5. They slept in the open air. 6. The pupils answered at once. 7. They boy broke the window. 8. The woman changed her clothes. 9. The tourists reached the village before dark. 10. The clock struck five. 11. Our team won the match. 12. The doctor allowed you to go out.

Exercise 4

Read the sentences about the present and make up sentences about the past.

Pattern: Tom usually gets up at 7.30. Yesterday morning he got up at 6.30, because he wanted to start jogging.

A

1. Torn usually wakes up early. Yesterday…

2. Tom usually walks to work. Yesterday ...

3. Tom is usually late for work. Yesterday …

4. Tom usually has a sandwich and a cup of tea for lunch. Yesterday ...

5. Tom usually goes out in the evening. Yesterday evening ...

В

1. Larry usually drives to work. Yesterday ...

2. Larry usually works in his office. Yesterday ...

3. Larry usually doesn't argue with his boss. Yesterday ...

4. Larry usually watches video in the evening Yesterday evening ...

5. Larry usually goes to bed late. Yesterday …

C

1. Freda usually sleeps till 10.00. Yesterday morning ...

2. Freda usually eats nothing for breakfast. Yesterday morning…

3. Freda usually runs 10 miles before dinner. Yesterday…

4. Freda usually walks her dog after dinner. Yesterday ...

5. Freda usually has guests in the evening. Yesterday eve­ning ...

Exercise 5

Put the verbs in brackets into Past Indefinite.

My name is Robinson Crusoe and I (to be born) in the city of York. When I (to be) eighteen years old I (to go) to the city of Hull and there I (to meet) a boy whom I (to know). His father (to be) captain of a ship. This boy (to say) to me, “Will you come with us, Rob?..” After five days we (to come) to a land and (to stop) in the mouth of a little river. Then a huge wave (to come) upon us, (to turn) over the boat, (to throw) us all into the water.

Exercise 6

Use the Past Simple Tense instead of the infinitives in brackets.

1. I (not to go) to work yesterday because I (not to be) very well.|

2. Tom (not to shave) this morning because he (not to have) time.

3. We (not to eat) anything because we (not to be) hungry.

4. She (not to be) interested in the book because she (not to understand) it.

5. Fred (to he) very upset yesterday. His parents (not to allow) him to gо out.

6. ‘I (not to understand) anything.’

'Why? The lecture (to be) sо complicated?'

7. Where you (to go) last Christmas?

8. We (to look) at her for a moment with surprise.

9. Eric (to switch on) the wireless and (to sit down) beside it.

10. She (not to smile) when she (to see) him.

11. Three o'clock (to strike), and four, and the half-hour (to ring), but Dorian Gray (not to stir).

12. When Eddy (to leave) in the morning he (to take) her pho­tograph with him.

13. The stranger (to climb) into his car and (to drive away), and when he (to notice) later that his speedometer (to indicate) seventy-five, he (to laugh) at himself but (not to slow down).

14. Bart's train (to get) into Central about half past five, and he (to go) to the servicemen’s hostel and (to have) a bath and a sleep.

15. 'Why your (not to take) her with you?'

'She (to have) a headache.’

16. 'You (to go) anywhere yesterday?'

'We (to go) to a party. Sheila (to have) birthday yesterday.

We (to have) a wonderful time.’

'Really? It [to be) so good? Who (to show up)?

'Oh, all sorts of people. It's a pity you (not to be) there.’

Exercise 7