Advanced Simple Past Tense Questions

What ___ the archaeologists ___ at the excavation site?

• did, uncover

• was, uncovering

• had, uncovered

• has, uncovered

Answer explanation

• “Did” is the auxiliary verb for past tense.

•The main verb “uncover” remains in its base form.

Why ___ the committee ___ to postpone the decision?

• did, opt

• was, opting

• had, opted

• has, opted

Answer explanation

• Use “did” to form a question in the Simple Past.

•“Opt” (meaning choose) remains in the base form.

How ___ the engineers ___ the malfunction in the system?

• did, rectify

• had, rectified

• was, rectifying

• has, rectified

Answer explanation

• “Did” sets the tense to the past.

•The main verb “rectify” (meaning fix) stays unchanged in the base form.

Who ___ the pioneers ___ during their expedition?

• did, encounter

• was, encountering

• had, encountered

• has, encountered

Answer explanation

• “Did” makes the sentence a question in the past.

•“Encounter” (meaning meet) stays in the base form.

When ___ the biologist ___ the new species of frog?

• did, identify

• was, identifying

• had, identified

• has, identified

Answer explanation

• “Did” is used to question in the past.

•“Identify” (meaning recognize) is in its base form.

What ___ the artist ___ to convey in her painting?

• did, intend

• had, intended

• was, intending

• has, intended

Answer explanation

• “Did” indicates past tense.

•The verb “intend” (meaning plan) is in its base form.

Where ___ the diplomat ___ the treaty negotiations?

• did, initiate

• had, initiated

• was, initiating

• has, initiated

Answer explanation

• Use “did” for past tense questions.

•“Initiate” (meaning start) remains in its base form.

Why ___ the economist ___ the inflation rates so drastically?

• did, miscalculate

• was, miscalculating

• had, miscalculated

• has, miscalculated

Answer explanation

• “Did” sets the question in past tense.

•The main verb “miscalculate” (meaning calculate incorrectly) stays in its base

How ___ the explorers ___ such extreme conditions?

• did, endure

• was, enduring

• had, endured

• has, endured

Answer explanation

• “Did” signals a past tense question.

•The verb “endure” (meaning tolerate) remains in its base form.

Who ___ the ancient ruins ___ for the first time?

• did, discover

• was, discovering

• had, discovered

• has, discovered

Answer explanation

• “Did” is used for past tense.

•The verb “discover” (meaning find) stays in its base form.