Grammar: Past simple practice

A lot of students make mistakes with the past simple tense. They don't remember which verbs are regular and irregular. They don't remember how to make negative sentences and they don't remember how to make questions.

Here are the rules for the past simple: http://kapmanchester.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/past-tense-practice.html

Here are some more activities you can use to practise:

Making negative sentences: https://quizlet.com/46805819/past-simple-negative-sentences-flash-cards/

Irregular verbs: https://quizlet.com/46288754/21-most-common-irregular-verbs-flash-cards/

General practice:
https://elt.oup.com/student/englishfile/elementary/a_grammar/file05/?cc=us&selLanguage=en
https://elt.oup.com/student/result/engelem/a_grammar/unit09/?cc=us&selLanguage=en
https://elt.oup.com/student/result/engelem/a_grammar/unit10/?cc=us&selLanguage=en
http://www.eslgamesplus.com/practice-irregular-verbs-in-the-past-simple-esl-interactive-hangman/
http://www.eslgamesplus.com/irregular-past-tense-verbs-spelling-activity-online/
http://www.eslgamesplus.com/irregular-past-simple-spelling-activity-online-for-esl/
http://www.eslgamesplus.com/past-simple-irregular-verbs-esl-grammar-interactive-activity-online/ 

Grammar: Past tense practice

When we want to talk about actions which started and finished in the past, we use a past simple tense. Verbs can be regular or irregular.

Grammar: Making Tenses

We all need a hand occasionally to help us get what we want. Even a genius like Michelangelo needed help to create his famous sculpture, David, which was made from marble for the city of Florence.

The statue doesn't look simple because it is extremely detailed.
Michelangelo was working continuously on the sculpture for two years while the city was waiting for him to finish it.
Millions of people have seen the perfect statue.

Verbs are like blocks of marble: they need help to make them come to life.

Ryan: "You, my students, are all Michelangelo."     Students: "Wow!"

Grammar: Past simple v Past continuous

Ryan and Aziz are having a conversation.

Can you complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets and the correct past tense:


Ryan:        I'm sorry I'm late. I __________ (miss) the bus.
Aziz:         But I ________ (ring) four times!
Ryan:        I know. I've just seen all my missed calls. I __________ (sleep) when you ________ (call).
Aziz:         And you __________ (not hear) the phone?
Ryan:        No. Then the next time you ________ (ring), I ___________ (have) a shower. I ________ (not hear) the phone because I ____________ (listen) to the radio and _________ (sing) along.
Aziz:         Ok, but I __________ (call) you again at 8 o'clock.
Ryan:        Yeah, I know. My phone __________ (charge) upstairs and I _________ (miss) your call.
Aziz:         Then I __________ (ring) again half an hour later.
Ryan:        Yeah, I ___________ (run) for the bus and I couldn't answer my phone in time. It ___________ (still ring) while I ____________  (pay) for my ticket but then it __________ (stop). Anyway, I'm really sorry I'm late. Anyway, why ______________ (you ring) me?
Aziz:         Oh, I just ___________ (want) to tell you I was going to be late because I had missed the bus. In fact, I've only just arrived myself. I got here about five minutes ago!

The answers are after the jump:

Grammar: Past simple v Past continuous

Read the story:

I went to Nottingham to visit my sister. While I was riding on my horse through the forest, some men appeared. They were wearing green clothes and they threatened me with bows and arrows. They stole all my money. They were shouting and singing while they were robbing me. The leader of the thieves blew on his horn and some more people appeared. They were dirty and miserable and looked very poor. The leader gave my money to the poor people!



Do you know this story? Who were the men in green? What was the name of the leader? Did he really exist?