Simple Past Tense

Let’s dive straight into the functions of the simple past tense.

(i) To show an action that happened in the past.

1. Abdul bought a high-tech computer yesterday.
2. _______________________________________________

(ii) To show a past fact or truth.

1. People paid much more to send a text message in the past.
2. _______________________________________________

Exercise 1
Write the simple past tense form of the words given in the simple
present tense.

Present Past Present Past

bend grow
bleed hang
build hide
cut lend
deal pay
dig put
drive quit
feel read
fight rise
freeze shake
Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in either the simple past
tense or simple present tense.

1. Kate __________ a red costume at the concert.

2. The big, black dog __________ whenever a stranger passes by.
3. Mary and her sister Martha ___________ for school about an hour
ago.
4. Some pupils _________ asleep during lessons.
5. Chris _________ me to the party.
6. The naughty boy __________ each time his father spanks him.
7. No one ___________ Ali because he is a known liar.
8. The mischievous boy _________ his arm when he fell.
9. The carpenter __________ the broken cupboard last evening.
10. The postman ___________ letters to us every morning.
11. Mr Benson ___________ us Mathematics last year.
12. The milk that Mrs Chan ____________ just this morning has
turned sour.
13. My sister and my brother ____________ with each other even to
this day.
14. People should ___________ to mind their own business.
15. Jenny ___________ daily to keep her body in good shape.
Look at the following passages and note the difference in tenses used
when writing a narrative essay (story).

1) A story written in the PAST TENSE because it has happened.

Last Monday, I celebrated my twelfth birthday with a huge
birthday bash. I invited all my classmates to my home for the party.
We played games and enjoyed the delicious food and drinks that
were prepared by my mother. After that, my family and friends
sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. I blew out the candles and cut the
cake for everyone to share. I received many wonderful gifts from all
who attended the party. My favourite birthday gift was a bicycle,
given to me by my best friend, Danny. Danny is always so nice and
generous to me. Everything that happened that day was perfect.

2) A story written in the PRESENT TENSE, as it happens.

Finally, the day is here. I wake up excitedly and rush to
prepare myself before my friends reach my place. It is my twelfth
birthday today and I am ready to have fun! The first to arrive is my
best friend, Danny. I met Danny at kindergarten when we were six.
He is a great friend and I always appreciate our friendship. One by
one, my other friends arrive. We play many fun games and enjoy
the delicious food and drinks that are here. Then, my family and
friends give me presents and sing ‘Happy Birthday’. I feel so happy
and thankful for everything.
Now, it is your turn to write.

Exercise 3 (Composition)
Write a short story of about 100 words like the ones above.
Remember to choose a general tense, past or present, and then stick to
it.

Exercise 4 (Vocabulary)
Fill in the blanks with the answers provided.
trim relaxing flesh stretch
regular weight excess stamina
refreshed toned activity breathing

Exercise is an important (1)____________. Everyone should

exercise. It does not matter if you are young or just young at heart.
Exercise is important because it is one way of keeping healthy, fit and
(2)____________. If you exercise every day for at least 30 minutes,
you will soon discover that your body becomes more (3)____________.
This is because (4)___________ fats will gradually be replaced by
muscle and this in turn builds up your strength and (5)___________.
Your mind, not just your body, benefits through (6)___________
exercise. Exercise is a good way of (7)____________. It makes you
feel happy and (8)____________. There are various forms of exercise.
You can work out at a gym, go for a walk, swim or kick a ball around.
It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as you are on the go. So come
on and get going!