SIMPLE PAST TENSE EXERCISE 5: YES/NO QUESTIONS (ESL)
level: Beginner (A1/A2)
✓ Useful for IELTS
✓ Useful for TOEFL
The simplest simple past question type: yes/no questions. No question word, just Did straight at the start. And since did never changes with the subject, there's genuinely only one thing to remember here.
Grammar review
The simple past: yes/no questions
Yes/no questions are answered with a simple yes or no, with no question word like what or where. They start directly with Did.
Word order:
Did + subject + base verb + …?
“Did you see that?”
“Did she call you?”
Did never changes:
Unlike the present simple's do/does split, did is identical for every subject: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
Short answers:
Yes/no questions are usually answered with a short answer, not a full sentence.
“Did you see that?” → “Yes, I did.” / “No, I didn't.”
This is the last piece of the simple past puzzle. See also affirmative sentences, negative sentences, irregular verbs, and wh-questions.
Yes/no questions are answered with a simple yes or no, with no question word like what or where. They start directly with Did.
Word order:
Did + subject + base verb + …?
“Did you see that?”
“Did she call you?”
Did never changes:
Unlike the present simple's do/does split, did is identical for every subject: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
Short answers:
Yes/no questions are usually answered with a short answer, not a full sentence.
“Did you see that?” → “Yes, I did.” / “No, I didn't.”
This is the last piece of the simple past puzzle. See also affirmative sentences, negative sentences, irregular verbs, and wh-questions.
Complete each question with Did + the correct subject.
Example: Did he (he) play the guitar yesterday?
KEEP PRACTICING: MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU
More simple past exercises:
Simple Past 1: Affirmative (A1/A2)
Simple Past 2: Negative (A1/A2)
Simple Past 3: Irregular Verbs (A2/B1)
Simple Past 4: Wh-Questions (A1/A2)
Related past continuous exercises:
Past Continuous Exercise 1 (B)
Past Continuous Exercise 2 (B)
Simple Past or Past Continuous? Exercise 2 (I)
Do, Does, or Did? 1 (A1/A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
More simple past exercises:
Simple Past 1: Affirmative (A1/A2)
Simple Past 2: Negative (A1/A2)
Simple Past 3: Irregular Verbs (A2/B1)
Simple Past 4: Wh-Questions (A1/A2)
Related past continuous exercises:
Past Continuous Exercise 1 (B)
Past Continuous Exercise 2 (B)
Simple Past or Past Continuous? Exercise 2 (I)
Do, Does, or Did? 1 (A1/A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
