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.

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?’ ‘My 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.

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.

Exercise 4   

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

1   It was warm, so I ……………………. off my 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)