The Past Simple Tense interactive worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this grammar exercise step by step. The task is to complete the sentences in the past simple tense using the correct form of the given verbs.

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🔹 Rules Recap:

- Regular verbs → add -ed to the base form.
- Example: *climb* → *climbed*, *dive* → *dived*
- Some verbs end in -d, -ed, or have special spelling rules (e.g., *stopped*, *barked*).
- Use adverbs of time like *yesterday*, *last week*, *in 2019*, etc., to signal past time.

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Now, let’s go through each sentence:

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1. The car ________ (climb) up the mountain.

- Base verb: climb
- Past tense: climbed
- ✔ Answer: *The car climbed up the mountain.*

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2. The penguins ________ (dive) into the sea.

- Base verb: dive
- Past tense: dived (or sometimes *dove*, but in standard British English, *dived* is preferred)
- ✔ Answer: *The penguins dived into the sea.*

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3. ________ and ________ (wash) their car last Friday.

- Subject: two people (a girl and a boy) — plural
- Verb: wash → past tense: washed
- ✔ Answer: *They washed their car last Friday.*

> Note: We don’t know their names, so we use "They" as the subject.

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4. Soon the three bears ________ (stop) playing.

- Base verb: stop
- Past tense: stopped
- Subject: *the three bears* — plural
- ✔ Answer: *Soon the three bears stopped playing.*

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5. Everybody ________ (thank) mom and dad.

- Base verb: thank
- Past tense: thanked
- Subject: *Everybody* — singular (even though it refers to many people)
- ✔ Answer: *Everybody thanked mom and dad.*

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6. ________ (phone) my father last week.

- There’s an image of a woman on the phone, possibly older, maybe grandmother.
- The blank is at the beginning — likely subject + verb.
- Verb: phone → past tense: phoned
- Subject: could be “She” or “I”, but based on context and picture, probably She.
- ✔ Answer: *She phoned my father last week.*

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7. Mr. ________ (work) here in 2019.

- Image shows a man in uniform, perhaps a postman or worker.
- Verb: work → past tense: worked
- Subject: *Mr.* (needs name or pronoun), but since no name is given, we assume it's implied.
- ✔ Answer: *Mr. [Name] worked here in 2019.*
But since the name isn't provided, just fill in the verb:
→ worked

> So: *Mr. ________ worked here in 2019.*
> (The blank before "worked" might be for a name, but if only one blank, then it's just the verb.)

Wait — looking again: the sentence says:
"Mr. ________ (work) here in 2019."
So there are two blanks? Or just one?

Actually, the image shows:
"Mr. ___ (work) here in 2019."
→ Likely: Mr. Smith worked here in 2019 — but since no name is given, we just fill in the verb.

✔ Answer: *Mr. ___ worked here in 2019.*
But if only one blank, then it's worked.

We'll assume the blank is for the verb.

➡️ Answer: *worked*

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8. His dog ________ (bark) at the strangers.

- Base verb: bark
- Past tense: barked
- Subject: *His dog* — singular
- ✔ Answer: *His dog barked at the strangers.*

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9. She ________ (explain) the rules to the students.

- Base verb: explain
- Past tense: explained
- Subject: *She* — singular
- ✔ Answer: *She explained the rules to the students.*

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✔ Final Answers:

1. climbed
2. dived
3. washed
4. stopped
5. thanked
6. phoned
7. worked
8. barked
9. explained

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📝 Summary of All Sentences:

1. The car climbed up the mountain.
2. The penguins dived into the sea.
3. They washed their car last Friday.
4. Soon the three bears stopped playing.
5. Everybody thanked mom and dad.
6. She phoned my father last week.
7. Mr. ___ worked here in 2019.
8. His dog barked at the strangers.
9. She explained the rules to the students.

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💡 Tip: Always check:
- Is the verb regular? → Add -ed
- Is the subject singular or plural?
- Does the sentence include an adverb of time (like *last Friday*, *in 2019*)? → That confirms past tense.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or flashcards! 😊