Past Simple: Verb “be”

Past Simple: Verb "be" Espresso English

Were you a famous musician when you were younger?

Positive:

I / he / she / it was born in 1982.
you / we / they were born in 1982.

 

Negative:

I / he / she / it was not (wasn’t) born in Europe.
you / we / they were not (weren’t) born in Europe.

 

Question:

Was I / he / she / it a famous musician?
Were you / we / they a famous musician?

Common words used to talk about the past:

  • Yesterday
  • Last Sunday / last week / last month / last November / last year
  • 2 hours ago / 5 days ago / 3 months ago / 10 years ago
  • When I was a child

Learn more English verb tenses: past, present, future, simple, perfect, continuous!


Past Simple: Verb "be"

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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
Darlene is 27 years old. Ten years ago, she ________ in high school.
A
weren't
B
wasn't
C
were
D
was
Question 2
My friends __________ at school yesterday because they were sick.
A
weren't
B
was
C
wasn't
D
were
Question 3
Barcelona is a beautiful city! We ______ there for a conference last month.
A
wasn't
B
weren't
C
were
D
was
Question 4
"Were your colleagues happy about the surprise party?"

"David ______, but Janet and Tim _______ - they hate surprises."

A
were / wasn't
B
weren't / was
C
was / weren't
D
wasn't / were
Question 5
Pablo Picasso ___________ a writer. He was a painter.
A
weren't
B
was
C
wasn't
D
were
Question 6
"Where were you this morning? You __________ at the meeting."

"I _____ at the doctor's office."

A
wasn't / was
B
weren't / was
C
weren't / were
D
were / was
Question 7
Where ________ you yesterday afternoon?
A
were
B
was
C
weren't
D
wasn't
Question 8
"Were you shy when you were a child?"

"No, I ________. I talked to everyone!"

A
wasn't
B
weren't
C
were
D
was
Question 9
Where _______ your grandfather born?
A
Was
B
Wasn't
C
Were
D
Weren't
Question 10
"Did you like the movie?"

"The special effects ________ great, but the story __________ very good."

A
were / wasn't
B
was / weren't
C
wasn't / were
D
weren't / were
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There are 10 questions to complete.

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Past Simple: Verb "be" Espresso English

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