English Grammar Exercises for A2 – Past simple (negative and interrogative)

1. Complete the sentences with the correct negative past simple form of the verbs in brackets.

1   We ………………………….. (get) to the hotel in time for dinner.

2   Our team ………………………….. (win) the last match of the season.

3   It was a long film, but I ………………………….. (feel) bored.

4   They ………………………….. (spend) all their money on holiday.

5   My aunt ………………………….. (be) at the family wedding last weekend.

6   Our teacher ………………………….. (give) us a lot of homework.

7   It ………………………….. (rain) at all last month.

8   I enjoyed the film, but I ………………………….. (can) understand all of the dialogue.

2. Complete the first part of each sentence with the correct past simple negative form.

1   I didn’t go skiing last winter, I went snowboarding.

2   Einstein ………………………….. in 1965, he died in 1955.

3   The holidays ………………………….. yesterday, they began last week.

4   My grandparents ………………………….. born in Russia, they were born in Germany.

5   I ………………………….. ‘thirteen’, I said ‘thirty’.

6   We ………………………….. the first half of the match, but we saw the second half.

7   At the age of five, I ………………………….. ride a bike, but I could ski.

8   It ………………………….. warm yesterday, but it was sunny.

3. Make these sentences true for you. Use the past simple affirmative or negative form of the verbs in brackets.

1   I ………………………….. (can) swim when I was five.

2   Last weekend, I ………………………….. (do) a lot of homework.

3   Five years ago, I ………………………….. (be) a student at this school.

4   Ten years ago, I ………………………….. (live) in a different town.

5   I ………………………….. (make) my own breakfast this morning.

6   I ………………………….. (choose) the clothes I’m wearing now.

7   Last night, I ………………………….. (go) out with my friends.

8   When I was six, I ………………………….. (study) English.

4. Complete the dialogue with the question words below.

how often      what      when      where      which      who      why

Mia        Hi, Henry. 1…………………………… did you do at the weekend?

Henry    I went to the beach on Saturday.

Mia        That’s nice! 2…………………………… did you go with?

Henry    Matt and Alex.

Mia        Alex West? 3…………………………… do you see him?

Henry    Only two or three times a year. He doesn’t live near here any more.

Mia        4…………………………… does he live now?

Henry    In London.

Mia        Does he? 5…………………………… part of London?

Henry    I’m not sure. North London, I think.

Mia        6…………………………… did he move?

Henry    I think his mum got a new job. Anyway, 7…………………………… did you last see him?

Mia        Oh, about two years ago.

5. Put the words in order to make questions. Then write answers that are true for you.

1   homework / how much / last / did / you / night / do / ?

     ………………………………………………………..   

     ………………………………………………………..   

2   with / travel / did / to / school / you / who / today / ?

     ………………………………………………………..   

     ………………………………………………………..   

3   best / meet / where / you / did / friend / your / ?

     ………………………………………………………..   

     ………………………………………………………..   

4   first / teacher / who / your / was / English / ?

     ………………………………………………………..   

     ………………………………………………………..   

6. Read the sentences. Then write questions for the given answers.

1   Jack gave his old bike to his sister.

     Q:   What did Jack give his sister?

     A:   His old bike.

2   Sam had dinner early because he was hungry.

     Q:   ………………………………………………………….?

     A:   He was hungry.

3   Mason and Tyler went to London together.

     Q:   ………………………………………………………….?

     A:   He went with Tyler.

4   Grace listened to three Lady Gaga CDs.

     Q:   ………………………………………………………….?

     A:   Three.

7. Complete the dialogues with the correct negative or interrogative past simple form of the verbs in brackets.

1   A   1……………………… (you / go) to the cinema last night?

     B   No, I 2……………………… (go) in the end. I got home from work so late that there 3……………………… (be) enough time.

2   A   They announced the winners of the art competition yesterday. 4……………………… (you / win) a prize?

     B   No, I 5……………………… (win) anything, but I 6……………………… (expect) to. I’m not very good at art.

3   A   7……………………… (David / tell) you his news when you spoke to him yesterday?

     B   No, he 8……………………… (say) much – just hello and goodbye.

     A   Well, he 9……………………… (pass) his exams. Maybe he 10……………………… (want) you to know.