Past Indefinite Tense — Exercise 10 (Q&A with Full Explanation and Vocabulary Builder — Simple Past Tense)
This practice test trains you to recognize and use the Simple Past Tense (verb 2nd form / Did + verb 1st form / irregular past forms) across real contexts. Each question includes the correct past form, a short verb definition (vocabulary builder) & POS notes, and concise explanations for every correct and incorrect choice so you learn grammar and word meaning. Practice, prepare, and improve your exam performance, vocabulary, English, and Vocabulary.
English Grammar Definition: Past Indefinite Tense ( V 2nd form / Did + verb 1st form)
- Form: Verb 2nd form / Did + verb 1st form.
- Examples: I worked; She tested; Did they wait?
- Main uses:
- Actions that started in the past.
- Actions that happened in past repeatedly with or without present result.
- Simple Past = completed actions at a specific past time.
- Signal words: yesterday, last week, ago, in 2024, when.
- Negatives/Questions: did not (didn’t) and did + subject + (not) + verb 1st form + …?
- To learn more about it – Visit Here
Quiz Instructions
- Read each question and choose the best answer out of four given options.
- On top, header section of the quiz, you will see the “title of the quiz,’ ‘spending-time,’ ‘value of question in points,’ and ‘number of questions.”
- Below on footer, you will see Full Screen mode. As the name suggests, it covers the whole screen. It will save a lot of your time attempting the quiz.
- You can zoom the images given in the questions.
- After submitting the quiz, you can see your score and compare with other users.
- The Full Leaderboard link will take you to a page, where you can see all users attempts.
- Below the quiz box, there are explanation of each options. You can study and try again.
- Best of Luck!
Quiz Question, Answer and Explanation
Note: Do remember in the quiz box above, the questions and options will shuffle, so they won’t have the same sequence like 1, 2, 3, or A, B, C as below.
1. He __ the summary immediately and sent it to the board.
A) sent B) send C) has sent D) sending
Verb: send — verb. To cause to go or be delivered.
Correct: A) sent
A) Correct: Past simple — he transmitted it then. Choosing it states the send event occurred.
B) Wrong: Present — not past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — would stress present relevance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
2. They __ the machine to the correct specifications last month.
A) set B) set (base) C) have set D) setting
Verb: set — verb. To put or place something in position; (past = set).
Correct: A) set
A) Correct: Past simple same form as base — they adjusted it in the past. Choosing it indicates the configuration occurred then.
B) Wrong: Base form — not past alone.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — different nuance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
3. The engineer __ the bolt and tightened it further.
A) shook B) shake C) has shaken D) shaking
Verb: shake — verb. To move back and forth or disturb; shake (noun).
Correct: A) shook
A) Correct: Past simple — he moved the bolt then. Choosing it communicates the past physical action.
B) Wrong: Base — not past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — would indicate present effect rather than past act.
D) Wrong: -ing.
4. The guard __ at the intruder and raised the alarm.
A) shot B) shoot C) has shot D) shooting
Verb: shoot — verb. To fire a projectile or cause to be shot.
Correct: A) shot
A) Correct: Past simple — he discharged the weapon (or figuratively fired) during that incident. Choosing it reports the event.
B) Wrong: Base — not past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — different nuance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
5. She __ the door and left quietly.
A) shut B) shut (base) C) has shut D) shutting
Verb: shut — verb. To close. (Past = shut)
Correct: A) shut
A) Correct: Past — she closed the door. Choosing it states the past closure.
B) Wrong: Base — needs auxiliary to be past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — changes nuance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
6. They __ a song together at the farewell.
A) sang B) sing C) have sung D) singing
Verb: sing — verb. To vocalize musical tones.
Correct: A) sang
A) Correct: Past simple — they performed the song in the past. Choosing it places the performance then.
B) Wrong: Present — general habit.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — different focus.
D) Wrong: -ing.
7. He __ down and tied his shoe before running.
A) sat B) sit C) has sat D) sitting
Verb: sit — verb. To rest with the body supported by the buttocks.
Correct: A) sat
A) Correct: Past simple — he assumed a seated position then. Choosing it reports the prior action.
B) Wrong: Base — not past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — different nuance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
8. She __ to the committee about the proposal.
A) spoke B) speak C) has spoken D) speaking
Verb: speak — verb. To utter words; to address.
Correct: A) spoke
A) Correct: Past simple — she addressed them at a past time. Choosing it says the talk happened then.
B) Wrong: Base — not past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — focuses on present relevance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
9. They __ the budget and realized the cuts were needed.
A) spent B) spend C) have spent D) spending
Verb: spend — verb. To use up resources (time/money).
Correct: A) spent
A) Correct: Past simple — they used funds/time then. Choosing it reports past expenditure.
B) Wrong: Present — general spending habit.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — emphasizes current state; context suggests past action.
D) Wrong: -ing.
10. She __ the document and gave feedback before the deadline.
A) took B) take C) has taken D) taking
Verb: take — verb. To get possession or assume responsibility; took (past).
Correct: A) took
A) Correct: Past simple — she completed the action (took the document) and then provided feedback. Choosing it places the action in the past.
B) Wrong: Base — not past.
C) Wrong: Present perfect — different nuance.
D) Wrong: -ing.
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