This grammar exercise helps students practice the correct usage of "was" and "were" in past tense sentences.

The task involves filling in the blanks with either "was" or "were" based on the context of each sentence. The choice depends on whether the subject is singular or plural, as well as the tense and agreement rules for these verbs.

Solution:

1. Matters _______ carried with a high hand.
- Subject: "Matters" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: Matters were carried with a high hand.

2. But I _______ for myself this time.
- Subject: "I" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: But I was for myself this time.

3. What _______ he doing at this moment?
- Subject: "he" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: What was he doing at this moment?

4. They _______ no great thing, she explained.
- Subject: "They" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: They were no great thing, she explained.

5. And he _______ on his way to the door.
- Subject: "he" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: And he was on his way to the door.

6. The other servants _______ afraid of her.
- Subject: "The other servants" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: The other servants were afraid of her.

7. He _______ in a way of his own.
- Subject: "He" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: He was in a way of his own.

8. The children _______ on their feet in a moment.
- Subject: "The children" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: The children were on their feet in a moment.

9. An hour later they _______ at its door.
- Subject: "they" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: An hour later they were at its door.

10. Her eyes _______ large and very dark.
- Subject: "Her eyes" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: Her eyes were large and very dark.

11. The rooms _______ filled with light and beauty.
- Subject: "The rooms" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: The rooms were filled with light and beauty.

12. But there _______ nothing to be seen.
- Subject: "nothing" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: But there was nothing to be seen.

13. Everything _______ as it had always been.
- Subject: "Everything" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: Everything was as it had always been.

14. But we _______ talking about your journey.
- Subject: "we" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: But we were talking about your journey.

15. A few words _______ sufficient for the purpose.
- Subject: "A few words" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: A few words were sufficient for the purpose.

16. At the time he thought it _______.
- Subject: "it" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: At the time he thought it was.

17. It _______ enough for her to feel.
- Subject: "It" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: It was enough for her to feel.

18. They _______ to be her subjects until the end.
- Subject: "They" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: They were to be her subjects until the end.

19. In half an hour we _______ ready.
- Subject: "we" (plural)
- Verb: "were"
- Sentence: In half an hour we were ready.

20. Still there _______ nothing to be seen.
- Subject: "nothing" (singular)
- Verb: "was"
- Sentence: Still there was nothing to be seen.

Final Answer:

1. were
2. was
3. was
4. were
5. was
6. were
7. was
8. were
9. were
10. were
11. were
12. was
13. was
14. were
15. were
16. was
17. was
18. were
19. were
20. was

Boxed Answer:
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{were} \\
2. \text{was} \\
3. \text{was} \\
4. \text{were} \\
5. \text{was} \\
6. \text{were} \\
7. \text{was} \\
8. \text{were} \\
9. \text{were} \\
10. \text{were} \\
11. \text{were} \\
12. \text{was} \\
13. \text{was} \\
14. \text{were} \\
15. \text{were} \\
16. \text{was} \\
17. \text{was} \\
18. \text{were} \\
19. \text{were} \\
20. \text{was} \\
\end{array}
}