Simple Present Vs Simple Past Quiz

Simple Present Vs Simple Past Quiz

Introduction

Mastering the difference between the Simple Present and Simple Past tenses is key to clear and accurate English communication. This quiz will help you test your understanding of when to use each tense.

Practice with the examples below to better grasp how these tenses differ in form and usage.

Review: Simple Present vs Simple Past

Before you do the Simple Present vs Simple Past Quiz, you may want to review the form and use of the present simple and past simple:

Simple Present

Form: Subject + base form of the verb (add -s for third-person singular).
Use: The Simple Present is used for routines, general truths, and permanent situations.
Example: She walks to school every day. (routine)

Simple Past

Form: Subject + past form of the verb (usually -ed for regular verbs; irregular verbs vary).
Use: The Simple Past is used for actions that happened and were completed in the past.
Example: They traveled to France last summer. (completed past action)

Simple Present Vs Simple Past Quiz

Quiz Time For English Learners
Quiz Time For English Learners: Simple Present Vs Simple Past Quiz

Choose the correct form of the verb (Simple Present or Simple Past) for each sentence:

  1. She ___ (cook) dinner every evening.
  2. We ___ (visit) the museum last weekend.
  3. I ___ (see) that movie already.
  4. They ___ (walk) to the park on weekends.
  5. He ___ (write) a letter yesterday.
  6. Birds ___ (fly) south for the winter.
  7. Last night, I ___ (forget) to lock the door.
  8. She always ___ (read) before bed.
  9. The children ___ (play) outside yesterday afternoon.
  10. Tom ___ (start) work at 9 a.m. every day.
  11. We ___ (enjoy) our trip to the mountains last year.
  12. She ___ (dance) very well.
  13. He ___ (finish) his homework before dinner.
  14. My brother ___ (like) to play soccer.
  15. They ___ (call) me yesterday about the meeting.
  16. I ___ (finish) my book last night.
  17. She ___ (work) at the bakery every Saturday.
  18. They ___ (have) a picnic in the park last Sunday.
  19. My parents ___ (travel) to Japan every year.
  20. He ___ (buy) a new phone yesterday.

1. → cooks (Simple Present)
2. → visited (Simple Past)
3. → saw (Simple Past)
4. → walk (Simple Present)
5. → wrote (Simple Past)
6. → fly (Simple Present)
7. → forgot (Simple Past)
8. → reads (Simple Present)
9. → played (Simple Past)
10. → starts (Simple Present)
11. → enjoyed (Simple Past)
12. → dances (Simple Present)
13. → finished (Simple Past)
14. → likes (Simple Present)
15. → called (Simple Past)
16. → finished (Simple Past)
17. → works (Simple Present)
18. → had (Simple Past)
19. → travel (Simple Present)
20 → bought (Simple Past)

More on simple tenses

Tags: Exercises on English TensesExercises on Past TensesExercises on Present Tenses
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top