Exercise 4: past simple

(Practise conjugating and using the past simple)

Past simple of irregular verbs – cloze test (difficulty: 4 of 5 – rather difficult)

Fill the gaps with the correct simple past form of the irregular verbs in brackets. If ‘not’ is given, you must negate the verb accordingly. Do not use short or contracted forms.

  • Example: “Sergio ______ his final exam last Friday.” (take) → “Sergio took his final exam last Friday.”

You can check your results with the button below after you have finished. If you still need help with the topic, look at the use & formation of the past simple again. You may also use the hint button, but note that you will lose points for that.

  1. You should have seen Margret yesterday. She all the clothes on that you had given her last month. (put)
  2. You look tired. – Yes, I sleep last night and I don’t know why. (cannot)
  3. This is a very interesting book. I it last week and I’m going to read it again. (read)
  4. He probably the participant’s statement so he to go on with the presentation. (mistake, not want)
  5. What’s happened to Jason’s hand? – The new automatic door open and he his finger. (slide, hurt)
  6. Hey, the door is open! – That’s strange, I’m sure I it last night. (shut)
  7. Once my husband accidentally in a church and the priest him. That was really bad and embarrassing. (swear, hear)
  8. We to the zoo yesterday. It was so funny. We the monkeys and giraffes. (go, feed, see)
  9. When was the last time you a suit? – Oh, I think it was on my brother’s birthday. (wear)

Further exercises and explanations relating to the ‘Past simple’

The following exercises and explanations relate to the topic ‘Past simple of English irregular verbs’ and help you too: