The Past Simple Tense

Exercise 1. Make the following sentences negative and interrogative.

1. I arrived home late last night. 2. They translated this text at the previous lesson. 3. She enjoyed the party a lot. 4. Yesterday we tried to fix our car. 5. He ate his lunch at one o’clock. 6. I met my former classmate last Friday. 7. She left for London two weeks ago. 8. He got an excellent mark for his last test. 9. They were at the seaside last summer. 10. The breakfast was ready at 8 a.m. 11. She was hungry and tired after that long walk. 12. We were disappointed and wanted to stay alone for some time. 13. No one knew that woman. She was a complete stranger. 14. Christine wrote excellent compositions last year.

Exercise 2. 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. Tom usually gets 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…

B 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…

Exercise 3. Ask questions to the underlined parts of the sentences.

1. Last year he didn’t go to the South because of the exams. 2. They came to visit their friendyesterday. 3. He went to the concert 2 days ago. 4. He had breakfastat 8.30. 5. His mother came to his school and had a long conversation with his teacher. 6. These students were usually late for their lectures last year because they had transport problems. 7. She didn’t tell him the truth. 8. He wanted to learn the whole story. 9. Robert took his driving test last week. 10. No one wanted to learn the truth: everyone was afraid. 11. Jane asked her mother to buy her a pullover. 12. Tom bought a lot of Christmas presents for his friends. 13. Yesterday we went to the concert together. It was great!

Exercise 4. Ask all types of questions to the sentences.

1. She left her book because she was in a hurry. 2. The police asked him a lot of questions and let him go only in the morning. 3. There was nobody in the house when he came back. 4. She bought a new car two weeks ago, though her husband objected. 5. They booked two seats at the Opera. 6. It was so hot last summer that people who have heart trouble suffered a lot. 7. Eric came home from work very early yesterday.

Exercise 5. Use the Past Simple Tense instead of the infinitives in brackets.

1. I (not go) to work yesterday because I (not be) very well. 2. Tom (not shave) this morning because he (not have) time. 3. We (not eat) anything because we (not be) hungry. 4. She (not be) interested in the book because she (not understand) it. 5. Fred (be) very upset yesterday. His parents (not allow) him to go out. 6. I (not understand) anything. – Why? The lecture (be) so complicated. 7. Where you (go) last Christmas? 8. We (look) at her for a moment with surprise. 9. Eric (switch on) the wireless and (sit down) beside it. 10. She (not smile) when she (see) him. 11. Three o’clock (strike), and four, and the half-hour (ring), but Dorian (not stir). 12. When Eddy (leave) in the morning he (take) her photograph with him. 13. The stranger (climb) into his car and (drive away), and when he (notice) later that his speedometer (indicate) seventy-five, he (laugh) at himself but (not slow down). 14. Bart’s train (get) into Central about half past five, and he (go) to the servicemen’s hostel and (have) a bath and a sleep. 15. Why you (not take) her with you? – She (have) a headache. 16. You (go) anywhere yesterday? – We (go) to a party. Sheila (have) birthday yesterday. We (have) a wonderful time. – Really? It (be) so good? Who (show up)? – Oh, all sort of people. It’s a pity you (not be) there.

Exercise 6. Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Она подняла трубку и набрала номер телефона Алисы. 2. Когда они уехали? – Я не знаю. Меня вчера не было дома. 3. Он вернулся позавчера, верно? 4. В дверь снова постучали. Они не ответили, и вскоре стук прекратился. 5. Это был незабываемый вечер. 6. Он положил книги на стол, выключил свет и вышел из комнаты. 7. Ее семья в прошлом году переехала в Лондон. 8. Он хорошо написал контрольную работу, и учитель похвалил его. 9. Почему ты не подходил вчера к телефону, когда я звонил тебе? Тебя не было дома? – Я был дома. Видимо, что-то было не в порядке с телефоном. 10. Когда Дэнни уехал в Лондон? – Позавчера. Я проводил его. Он не хотел уезжать и выглядел очень расстроенным. 11. Кейт вздохнула с облегчением. Этот ужасный день наконец-то закончился (be over)! Она выключила компьютер, еще раз оглядела комнату, щелкнула выключателем и заперла дверь. 12. Письмо пришло вчера, верно? Кто принес его? Почему Вы не отдали мне его сразу? 13. Как ты провел вчерашний вечер? – Как обычно. 14. Я не ожидал тебя здесь встретить. Когда ты приехал. 15. Аня подмела пол, вымыла посуду, а потом стала готовить домашнее задание. 16. Почему тебя не было на собрании вчера? – Я должен был встретить сестру на вокзале. 17. Когда ты видел его в последний раз? – Неделю назад, в библиотеке. 18. Какие журналы он хотел показать мне? – Не знаю. 19. Вчера мы купались, загорали, катались на лодке, играли в теннис. Мы очень хорошо провели время. 20. Сколько писем вы напечатали вчера? – Двадцать. 21. Вы просмотрели вчера эти документы? 22. Почему ты был так сердит на него? 23. Я прочитал изложение сестры. В нем было несколько ошибок. 24. Кто навестил вас вчера? – Друзья моего сына.