Was/Were Quiz
This Was/Were Quiz is a fun way to practice the past simple forms of the verb to be. There are 10 questions, and in each one you must choose the correct form, was or were, to complete the sentence.
Take the Was/Were Quiz
Why Practice Was/Were With This Quiz
Many English learners struggle with choosing the correct form of was and were. It is one of the most common mistakes in the past simple tense, especially in questions and negatives. Practicing with a quiz like this helps learners notice the patterns and use the correct form more naturally. It also prevents small mistakes from becoming fossilized in their English, which can be much harder to correct later.
Tips for Using This Quiz in Class
Before starting the quiz, review the basic was/were rules: use was with singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and were with plural subjects (we, they). Remind students that you always takes were, even when it refers to one person.
Then go through the interactive quiz together as a class. If learners struggle, focus on the subject of the sentence to guide them toward the correct answer. For example, if the sentence is โIt ( ) my birthday yesterday,โ highlight that the subject is it. Ask whether it refers to a single thing or plural, and then elicit the correct form from students.
After completing the quiz, extend the activity by having students write down the sentences from the quiz and create five variations of their own using was and were.
More Ways to Practice the Past Tense
- Past Tense Listening Exercise
- Past Simple Tense Worksheets
- Past Tense Classroom Games
- Past Tense Quiz