English Pre-Exam: Past Tense Practice and Job Descriptions

Posted on Apr 26, 2024 in English

English Pre-Exam

Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Class:__________________________________________________________________

Past Tense Conversation Practice

Complete this conversation using the past tense of the verbs in brackets.

A: How did you spend (spend) your weekend?
B: I spent (spend) the weekend with Joe and Kathy. How about you?
A: I rented (rent) some movies and I made (make) popcorn. What did you do (do) on Saturday?
B: Well, on Saturday, we went (go) shopping.
A: And did you do (do) anything in the evening?
B: No, I didn’t. Did you do (do) anything?
A: Well, I went (go) to a karaoke bar and I enjoyed (enjoy) it a lot. Where did you go (go) on Sunday?
B: We went (go) to the amusement park.
A: Wow! Great! How did you like (like) it?
B: We had (have) a great time. In fact, we stayed (stay) there all day.
A: Really? What time did you get (get) home?
B: We got (get) home very late, around midnight.

Past Tense Questions

Answer the following questions in full sentences using the past tense.

  1. What did you do after classes? I went to play King of Fighters in Happyland after classes.
  2. How often did you go to the dentist? I went to the dentist twice a year.
  3. Do you ever do the cleaning-up at home? Yes, I do. I clean up my home once a week.
  4. Who is your favorite singer? My favorite singer is Bob Marley.
  5. How much crime is there in your neighborhood? In my neighborhood, there is a lot of crime.
  6. What time did you get up this morning? I got up at 8 A.M. this morning.
  7. Do you like soap operas? Why? No, I don’t like them very much.
  8. What do you like more, shopping at small stores or shopping at department stores? Why? I like going shopping at small stores more because there aren’t so many people.
  9. What did you have for lunch yesterday? Yesterday, I had rice and a hamburger for lunch.

Question Formation

Complete the questions with the correct words.

A: How often do you exercise?
B: Well, I always exercise. I think I am a fitness freak.

A: How long do you spend at college?
B: Oh, I spend about five hours a day.

A: Do you ever walk to work?
B: No, I never walk to work. I drive most of the time.

A: How well do you play basketball?
B: I’m quite good. I’m part of the basketball team at college.

A: What do you usually do on weekends?
B: I usually go out on weekends. I often go to a karaoke bar with friends.

Reading Comprehension: Martina Taylor

Look at the profile and answer the questions in full sentences.

Name: Martina Taylor
Job: Teacher
Age: 30
Nationality: American
Marital status: Married
Sports: aerobics, weight training, treadmill
Phone number: 866739357

Foreign Languages: Speak Write
French Yes Yes German Yes No Greek No No

  1. What is the girl’s last name? Her last name is Taylor.
  2. Does Martha speak Greek? No, she doesn’t speak Greek.
  3. How old is Martina? Martina is 30 years old.
  4. Where is she from? She is from America.
  5. Is she married? Yes, she is married.
  6. Do you think Martina is a couch potato? Why? No, because she practices many sports.

Sentence Reordering

Reorder the following sentences to form questions in the past tense.

  1. Study / your sister / did / what / at college? What did your sister study at college?
  2. she / go / weekend / where / last / did? Where did she go last weekend?
  3. how / exercise / you / often / usually / do? How often do you usually exercise?
  4. you / what / do / get up / on / Saturdays / time? What time do you get up on Saturdays?
  5. shopping / ever / your mom / go / does? Does your mom ever go shopping?
  6. noise / is / how / there / much? How much noise is there?
  7. Thailand / vacation / Summer / went / we / for / to / last year. We went to Thailand for summer vacation last year.
  8. days / mountains / in / we / were / the / for / a few. We were in the mountains for a few days.

Interview Questions for Marcelo Ríos

Imagine you have to interview Marcelo Ríos. Ask him about what he does to keep fit.

  1. How often do you exercise?
  2. How long do you exercise for each session?
  3. What kind of exercise do you do?
  4. How often do you play tennis?

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct alternative to complete the conversation.

Melanie: Good to see you, Charlie! (a) Did you enjoy your trip?
a) Did you enjoy b) You enjoyed on c) Does you enjoy

Charlie: We (b) had a lot of fun! It (b) was really exciting!
a) Have – is b) had – was c) has – were

Melanie: Where (b) did you go?
a) You gone b) did you go c) does you going

Charlie: I (a) went to Brazil.
a) Went b) gone c) go
Melanie: Brazil! Great! How (b) was it?
a) Does you like b) was c) is

Charlie: It (a) was great!
a) Was b) were c) is

Job Descriptions

Write a brief description about two of the jobs in the box, including their workplace and things they do.

TRAVEL AGENT – NURSE – ACTOR – TEACHER – POLICE OFFICER – FLIGHT ATTENDANT – SECRETARY – LUMBERJACK – CARPENTER – TOUR GUIDE – VET

1 a travel agent sells flights.
2 a nurse cares patients and Works in a hospital
3 an actor makes film
4 a teacher teaches in a classroom
5 a pólice officer protects people
6 a flight attendant services passengers
7 a secretary anwers the phone
8 a lumberjack cuts tree
9 a carpenter builds houses
10 a tour guide guides to tourists
11 a vet cures animals