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All questions of Simple Past Tense for CLAT Exam

Which sentence correctly uses the Simple Past tense to indicate a past habit that is no longer true?
  • a)
    She usually walks to work.
  • b)
    He is jogging every morning.
  • c)
    They were playing tennis regularly.
  • d)
    We are studying French last year.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Malavika Rane answered
Explanation:

Understanding the Simple Past Tense:
The Simple Past tense is used to talk about actions that happened in the past and are now completed. It is used to describe past habits, routines, or actions that occurred at a specific point in time.

Identifying the Correct Sentence:
- Sentence (a) "She usually walks to work" uses the present tense "walks" and "usually," indicating a current habit, not a past one.
- Sentence (b) "He is jogging every morning" uses the present continuous tense "is jogging," indicating a current activity, not a past habit.
- Sentence (c) "They were playing tennis regularly" is the correct answer as it uses the Simple Past tense "were playing" to describe a past habit that is no longer true.
- Sentence (d) "We are studying French last year" is grammatically incorrect as it combines the present tense "are studying" with the past time marker "last year."

Conclusion:
In the context of indicating a past habit that is no longer true, the correct sentence should use the Simple Past tense. Therefore, sentence (c) "They were playing tennis regularly" is the appropriate choice as it accurately portrays a past habit that is no longer ongoing.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the Simple Past tense for reported speech.
  • a)
    She says she will come to the party.
  • b)
    He said he is busy tomorrow.
  • c)
    They say they were at the concert last night.
  • d)
    We say we are watching a movie.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Arnav Saini answered
Understanding Reported Speech
Reported speech involves conveying what someone else has said without quoting them directly. It often requires changing the verb tense, particularly when shifting from direct speech to reported speech.
Simple Past Tense in Reported Speech
In reported speech, if the original statement is in the past tense, the reporting verb typically gets shifted to the past tense as well. This adjustment is crucial for maintaining the temporal context of the statements.
Analysis of Options
Let's examine the options:
  • a) She says she will come to the party.
    - This uses the present tense "says" and future "will," which is incorrect for past reporting.
  • b) He said he is busy tomorrow.
    - Here, "said" is in the past tense, but "is" (present tense) should be shifted to "was" for correct reporting.
  • c) They say they were at the concert last night.
    - This sentence correctly uses the past tense "were," aligning with the implied past reporting of "say" when referring to a past event.
  • d) We say we are watching a movie.
    - "Say" is present tense, and "are" should be adjusted to "were" for past reporting.

Correct Answer: Option C
Option C is the only sentence that correctly uses the Simple Past tense in the context of reported speech. It reflects a past event (being at the concert) while maintaining the correct tense throughout, which is essential for clarity in communication.

Identify the correct negative form: "They ___ visit us last summer."
  • a)
    doesn't
  • b)
    didn't
  • c)
    don't
  • d)
    isn't
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct answer is "They didn't visit us last summer." For negative sentences in the Simple Past Tense, 'did not' (didn't) is used. This tense is suitable for talking about events that did not happen in the past.

Choose the correct negative form: "She ___ like the movie."
  • a)
    doesn't
  • b)
    didn't
  • c)
    isn't
  • d)
    weren't
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Malavika Rane answered
Explanation:

Negative Form:
- The correct negative form to use in this sentence is "didn't."
- This is because the sentence is in the past tense, and "didn't" is the past tense negative form of "do."

Breaking Down the Sentence:
- The original sentence is: "She ___ like the movie."
- To make it negative, we need to use the word "didn't" to indicate that she did not like the movie.

Reasoning:
- Option 'A' ("doesn't") is incorrect because it is the present tense negative form of "does," which is not suitable for a past tense sentence.
- Option 'C' ("isn't") is incorrect because it is the contraction of "is not," which is not the correct verb form for this sentence.
- Option 'D' ("weren't") is incorrect because it is the past tense negative form of "be," not "do."

Conclusion:
- Therefore, the correct negative form to complete the sentence is "She didn't like the movie."

Choose the correct negative form in the Simple Past tense.
  • a)
    She didn't go to the party last night.
  • b)
    She doesn't go to the party last night.
  • c)
    She not went to the party last night.
  • d)
    She did not went to the party last night.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Iq Funda answered
The negative form of the Simple Past tense is created by adding "did not" before the base form of the verb. Therefore, "She didn't go to the party last night" is the correct sentence. Options B, C, and D use incorrect forms and structures for the Simple Past tense.

Which sentence correctly uses the Simple Past tense for a duration of time?
  • a)
    She worked hard last summer.
  • b)
    We are watching a movie tomorrow.
  • c)
    They did homework yesterday.
  • d)
    He is sleeping eight hours last night.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Pranab Goyal answered
Understanding Simple Past Tense
The Simple Past tense is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past. It often incorporates time indicators such as "last summer," "yesterday," or specific dates.
Correct Usage in Option A
- Option A: "She worked hard last summer."
- This sentence correctly employs the Simple Past tense.
- "Worked" is the past form of "work," indicating that the action is complete.
- "Last summer" provides a specific timeframe, making it clear that the action took place in the past.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Option B: "We are watching a movie tomorrow."
- Uses the Present Continuous tense instead of Simple Past.
- "Tomorrow" indicates a future action, not a past one.
- Option C: "They did homework yesterday."
- Although this sentence uses the Simple Past tense ("did" is the past form of "do"), it is not focused on a duration of time. Instead, it refers to a specific time indicated by "yesterday."
- Option D: "He is sleeping eight hours last night."
- This option is incorrect because it mixes Present Continuous ("is sleeping") with a past time reference ("last night").
- The correct form would be "He slept eight hours last night."
Conclusion
The correct answer is indeed option A, as it effectively uses the Simple Past tense to convey an action completed during a specified duration in the past. Understanding these nuances in tense usage is crucial for clear communication in English.

Identify the correct negative form: "We ___ visit the museum on our trip."
  • a)
    don't
  • b)
    doesn't
  • c)
    didn't
  • d)
    isn't
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct answer is "We didn't visit the museum on our trip." In the Simple Past Tense, 'did not' (didn't) is used for negative sentences. This tense is often used to express actions that were not completed in the past.

Choose the correctly formed question:
  • a)
    Do he saw the movie last week?
  • b)
    Did he saw the movie last week?
  • c)
    Did he see the movie last week?
  • d)
    Does he seen the movie last week?
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct form is "Did he see the movie last week?" In the Simple Past Tense, when forming questions with 'did', the main verb should be in the base form, 'see' in this case. This structure is typical for questions about past experiences or actions.

Select the appropriate verb form: "The movie ___ at 9 PM last night."
  • a)
    start
  • b)
    started
  • c)
    starts
  • d)
    starting
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Arnav Saini answered
The Correct Verb Form: "started"
The sentence in question is "The movie ___ at 9 PM last night." The correct answer is option 'B', "started." Let's explore why this is the right choice.
Understanding Verb Tenses
- Past Tense Usage: The phrase "last night" indicates a specific time in the past. Therefore, the verb must be in the past tense to match this time frame.
- "Started" as Past Tense: The verb "started" is the past tense of "start." It clearly communicates that the action of the movie starting occurred in the past.
Analyzing the Other Options
- Option A: "start": This is the base form of the verb and is used in present tense or imperative sentences. It does not fit the past context of the sentence.
- Option C: "starts": This is the third person singular present form. It is inappropriate for a sentence that refers to an action completed in the past.
- Option D: "starting": This is the present participle form. It cannot be used alone in this sentence structure without an auxiliary verb, making it incorrect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "started" is the only verb form that aligns with the past context of the sentence, making option 'B' the correct choice. Understanding verb tenses and their appropriate usage is crucial for clear and accurate communication.

Choose the correct form of the verb: "He ___ to the store yesterday."
  • a)
    go
  • b)
    goes
  • c)
    went
  • d)
    gone
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Malavika Rane answered
Explanation:

Subject-Verb Agreement:
- In this sentence, the subject is "He" which is a singular pronoun.
- The verb should agree with the subject in number and tense.

Past Tense:
- The sentence indicates that the action happened in the past.
- Therefore, we need to use the past tense form of the verb.

Correct Answer:
- The correct form of the verb for the sentence "He ___ to the store yesterday." is "went".
- So, the sentence should be: "He went to the store yesterday."

Which of the following sentences is in the Simple Past tense?
  • a)
    She is reading a book yesterday.
  • b)
    They will go to the beach tomorrow.
  • c)
    He played football last evening.
  • d)
    I am going to the market now.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The Simple Past tense is used to describe an action that is completed in the past. In this case, "He played football last evening" is the correct sentence in the Simple Past tense. The past form of the verb "play" is "played." Options A, B, and D are in present or future tenses and do not convey actions completed in the past.

Choose the sentence with the correct use of the Simple Past tense for a historical event.
  • a)
    The Declaration of Independence is signed in 1776.
  • b)
    The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
  • c)
    The Declaration of Independence will be signed in 1776.
  • d)
    The Declaration of Independence signs in 1776.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

T.S Academy answered
The Simple Past tense is used to describe completed actions in the past, making it suitable for historical events. Therefore, "The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776" is the correct sentence. Options A, C, and D use incorrect tenses or structures.

Find the correct sentence:
  • a)
    I writes a letter yesterday.
  • b)
    I write a letter yesterday.
  • c)
    I wrote a letter yesterday.
  • d)
    I am writing a letter yesterday.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct sentence is "I wrote a letter yesterday." It uses the past form 'wrote' correctly with the subject 'I' in the Simple Past Tense. This tense is used for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.

Select the appropriate verb form: "The athletes ___ the race in record time."
  • a)
    wins
  • b)
    won
  • c)
    winning
  • d)
    winned
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Malavika Rane answered
Explanation:

Subject-Verb Agreement:
- In this sentence, the subject "athletes" is plural.
- The verb form "won" agrees with the plural subject "athletes."

Verb Tense:
- The verb "won" is in the past tense, which is appropriate in this context because the race has already taken place.

Correct Answer:
- The correct verb form is "won" to match the plural subject "athletes" and convey the past action of winning the race in record time.

Identify the sentence with the correct use of the Simple Past tense for a past action that happened before another action.
  • a)
    She finishes her work after she was watching TV.
  • b)
    He is jogging every morning.
  • c)
    They had dinner before they are watching a movie.
  • d)
    We finished our homework before we went to bed.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Pranab Goyal answered
Understanding the Simple Past Tense
The Simple Past tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past. When discussing two actions, the sequence is important, especially when one action precedes another.
Analysis of Each Option
- Option A: "She finishes her work after she was watching TV."
- Incorrect use of tenses. "Finishes" is present tense, and "was watching" is past. The sequence is not clear.
- Option B: "He is jogging every morning."
- This is present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action, not a past action.
- Option C: "They had dinner before they are watching a movie."
- "Had dinner" is correct for past, but "are watching" is present tense. The sequence is mixed.
- Option D: "We finished our homework before we went to bed."
- Correct usage of Simple Past tense. Both actions are in the past, with "finished" occurring before "went."
Why Option D is Correct
- Sequential Actions:
- The use of "finished" and "went" clearly indicates that one action was completed before the other.
- Consistent Tense:
- Both verbs are in the Simple Past tense, maintaining a clear timeline of events.
Conclusion
In summary, Option D effectively illustrates the correct use of the Simple Past tense to describe two past actions, with a clear sequence where one action (finishing homework) occurs before another (going to bed). This demonstrates proper grammatical structure and clarity in communication.

Identify the sentence that uses the Simple Past tense for a repeated action.
  • a)
    She eats pizza every Friday.
  • b)
    He is reading a book right now.
  • c)
    We played tennis every weekend.
  • d)
    They are singing in the choir.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

G.K Academy answered
The Simple Past tense can be used to describe repeated actions in the past. "We played tennis every weekend" is the correct sentence in this context. Options A, B, and D describe present or ongoing actions.

Choose the correct sentence:
  • a)
    He try to call you.
  • b)
    He tried to call you.
  • c)
    He tries to call you.
  • d)
    He is trying to call you.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev SSC CGL answered
The correct sentence is "He tried to call you." The verb 'try' in the Simple Past Tense changes to 'tried' to match the past time reference. This tense is commonly used for actions that were attempted in the past but are no longer ongoing.

Which sentence correctly uses the Simple Past tense for a sequential series of events?
  • a)
    She will finish her work, then she will go to the gym.
  • b)
    He finished his breakfast and drove to work.
  • c)
    They are studying for the exam right now.
  • d)
    We are going to the party tomorrow.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Iq Funda answered
  • The Simple Past tense is used to describe actions that happened in the past. In this case, the sentence mentions two actions ("finished his breakfast" and "drove to work") that happened sequentially in the past. Both actions are in the Simple Past tense, making this sentence correct for a sequential series of events in the past.
  • Option a) is incorrect because it mixes the Simple Past ("finished") with the future tense ("will go"), which is inconsistent.
  • Option c) is incorrect because it is in the Present Continuous tense, not the Simple Past.
  • Option d) is incorrect because it uses the Simple Past ("went") with "tomorrow," which refers to the future, making it grammatically incorrect.
Therefore,Right Answer -Option B

Complete the sentence: "Last night, the children ___ asleep before 8 PM."
  • a)
    fall
  • b)
    fell
  • c)
    falls
  • d)
    falling
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct completion is "Last night, the children fell asleep before 8 PM." In the Simple Past Tense, the verb 'fall' changes to 'fell' for all subjects. This tense is used to indicate actions completed at a specific time in the past.

Find the error in the sentence: "She always wake up early last year."
  • a)
    She
  • b)
    always
  • c)
    wake
  • d)
    last year
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The error is in "wake". The correct form is "woke" as in "She always woke up early last year." In the Simple Past Tense, the verb should agree with the past time expression. This tense is often used to describe past habits or routines.

Identify the sentence with an appropriate time expression for the Simple Past tense.
  • a)
    She will travel to Paris tomorrow.
  • b)
    We had a picnic next weekend.
  • c)
    They visited the museum last month.
  • d)
    He is going to the beach next summer.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Ssc Cgl answered
Time expressions like "last month" are appropriate for the Simple Past tense, indicating a specific time in the past. Therefore, "They visited the museum last month" is the correct sentence. Options A, B, and D use incorrect time expressions or mix tenses.

Which sentence correctly uses a time expression with the Simple Past tense?
  • a)
    I will visit my grandparents yesterday.
  • b)
    We were going to the movie tonight.
  • c)
    She went to the market last week.
  • d)
    They are swimming yesterday.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Time expressions like "last week," "yesterday," and "ago" are commonly used with the Simple Past tense to indicate when an action occurred. Therefore, "She went to the market last week" is the correct sentence. Options A, B, and D use incorrect time expressions or mix tenses.

Complete the sentence: "Where ___ you go last weekend?"
  • a)
    do
  • b)
    does
  • c)
    did
  • d)
    are
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev SSC CGL answered
The correct completion is "Where did you go last weekend?" In the Simple Past Tense, 'did' is used for questions. This tense is often used for asking about past activities or events.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses the Simple Past tense to narrate a background action.
  • a)
    While she is cooking, the phone rings.
  • b)
    While she cooks, the phone rang.
  • c)
    While she will cook, the phone will ring.
  • d)
    While she cooked, the phone rang.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

T.S Academy answered
The Simple Past tense is used to narrate background actions that occurred simultaneously with another action in the past. Therefore, "While she cooked, the phone rang" is the correct sentence. Options A, C, and D use incorrect tenses or structures.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses the Simple Past tense for an action that occurred at a specific time in the past.
  • a)
    She is going to the market tomorrow.
  • b)
    He goes to the gym every day.
  • c)
    They went to the museum last Saturday.
  • d)
    We are studying for the exam now.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev SSC CGL answered
The Simple Past tense is used to describe actions that occurred at a specific time in the past. Therefore, "They went to the museum last Saturday" is the correct sentence. Options A, B, and D use incorrect tenses or structures.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses the Simple Past tense to express regret.
  • a)
    She regrets to go to the meeting.
  • b)
    He regrets not to study for the exam.
  • c)
    They regretted missing the train.
  • d)
    We regret going to the party.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The Simple Past tense is often used to express regret about a past action. Therefore, "They regretted missing the train" is the correct sentence. Options A, B, and D use incorrect structures or mix tenses.

Choose the correct sentence with the Simple Past tense for a general truth.
  • a)
    The sun rose in the east.
  • b)
    The sun is rising in the east.
  • c)
    The sun will rise in the east.
  • d)
    The sun rising in the east.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev SSC CGL answered
The Simple Past tense can be used to refer to an event or fact that is considered a general truth or commonly accepted, especially in historical or timeless contexts. Here, it indicates a known truth.

Which sentence has a subject-verb agreement error in the Simple Past tense?
  • a)
    The team plays well in the tournament.
  • b)
    The students was excited about the field trip.
  • c)
    She and her friends went to the museum.
  • d)
    He don't like spicy food.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Subject-verb agreement in the Simple Past tense requires the verb to match the singular or plural form of the subject. In this case, "The students was excited about the field trip" has an error because "students" is plural, and the verb should be "were" instead of "was." Options A, C, and D have correct subject-verb agreement.

Which sentence correctly uses the Simple Past tense to express a past action in progress?
  • a)
    She was cooking dinner when the doorbell rings.
  • b)
    He is painting a picture yesterday.
  • c)
    They were playing music at the party.
  • d)
    We are studying for the exam last night.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The Simple Past tense is used to express an action in progress at a specific point in the past. Therefore, "They were playing music at the party" is the correct sentence. Options A, B, and D use incorrect tenses or structures.

Identify the correct question form in the Simple Past tense.
  • a)
    Did you is at the concert yesterday?
  • b)
    Were you at the concert yesterday?
  • c)
    You were at the concert yesterday?
  • d)
    Do you were at the concert yesterday?
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Iq Funda answered
In the Simple Past tense, questions are formed by using the auxiliary verb "did" followed by the base form of the main verb. Therefore, "Were you at the concert yesterday?" is the correct question form. Options A and D have incorrect structures, and Option C is a statement, not a question.

Identify the sentence with the correct word order for adverbs in the Simple Past tense.
  • a)
    He quickly finished his homework yesterday.
  • b)
    Yesterday his homework finished quickly.
  • c)
    His homework finished quickly yesterday.
  • d)
    Finished his homework quickly yesterday.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

T.S Academy answered
In the Simple Past tense, adverbs like "quickly" usually come before the main verb. Therefore, "He quickly finished his homework yesterday" is the correct sentence. Options B, C, and D have incorrect word orders for adverbs in the Simple Past tense.

Choose the correctly formed question:
  • a)
    Did she plays the piano yesterday?
  • b)
    Do she played the piano yesterday?
  • c)
    Did she play the piano yesterday?
  • d)
    Does she played the piano yesterday?
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct form is "Did she play the piano yesterday?" In questions with 'did', the main verb should be in the base form, without the past tense ending. This structure is typical for questions about past activities in the Simple Past Tense.

Find the error in the sentence: "She always wakes up early during her childhood."
  • a)
    She
  • b)
    always
  • c)
    wakes
  • d)
    during her childhood
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

G.K Academy answered
The error is in "wakes". The correct form is "woke" as in "She always woke up early during her childhood." In the Simple Past Tense, the verb should align with the past time reference, and 'wakes' should be 'woke' to indicate a past habit or routine.

Identify the error in the sentence: "They didn't understood the lesson."
  • a)
    They
  • b)
    didn't
  • c)
    understood
  • d)
    the lesson
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev SSC CGL answered
The error lies in "understood". The correct form should be "understand" as in "They didn't understand the lesson." After 'did not' (didn't), the base form of the verb is used in Simple Past Tense, not the past form.

Identify the sentence with the correct use of the Simple Past tense for a past action interrupted by another action.
  • a)
    She was reading a book when the phone rang.
  • b)
    He reads a newspaper while he is drinking coffee.
  • c)
    They will play video games while they are doing homework.
  • d)
    We played a game when it was raining.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The correct use of the Simple Past tense for a past action interrupted by another action is to use the Past Continuous tense to describe the ongoing action and the Simple Past tense for the action that interrupted it. Therefore, "She was reading a book when the phone rang" is the correct sentence. Options b, c, and d use incorrect tenses or structures.
Thus,Correct Answer- Option A

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