120 Examples of Simple Past Questions You Should Know

Do you struggle with simple past-tense questions in English? You’re not alone. Many learners find this aspect of grammar tricky. But what if we told you there’s a way to master it quickly?

We’ve put together 120 examples of simple past questions that will boost your confidence. These aren’t just random questions – they’re carefully chosen to cover all the key aspects you need to know.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid grasp of forming simple past questions. You’ll easily ask about past events, whether you’re chatting with friends or in a job interview.

Ready to improve your English skills? Let’s explore these essential, simple past questions and take your language abilities to the next level!

120 Examples of Simple Past Questions

Regular Verbs Simple Past Questions

1. Did you call your friend yesterday?
2. Did they finish their homework last night?
3. Did she walk to the park on Sunday?
4. Did you help your mom with the chores?
5. Did he listen to the radio this morning?
6. Did they dance at the party last weekend?
7. Did you open the window earlier?
8. Did she wash the dishes after dinner?
9. Did we celebrate her birthday last month?
10. Did they paint the house last summer?

Irregular Verbs Simple Past Questions

11. Did you go to the beach last weekend?
12. Did he buy a new car last month?
13. Did they eat pizza for dinner?
14. Did you find your keys yesterday?
15. Did she write a letter to her friend?
16. Did they drive to the city on Friday?
17. Did you speak with your boss yesterday?
18. Did he take the bus to school?
19. Did they make a cake for the party?
20. Did you read that book last week?

Negative Simple Past Questions

21. Didn’t you see her at the concert?
22. Didn’t he finish his homework on time?
23. Didn’t they leave for vacation last Friday?
24. Didn’t you go to the gym yesterday?
25. Didn’t she bring the documents to the meeting?
26. Didn’t they fix the car yesterday?
27. Didn’t you watch the movie last night?
28. Didn’t he eat breakfast this morning?
29. Didn’t they play soccer last weekend?
30. Didn’t she travel to London last summer?

“Who” Simple Past Questions

31. Who did you meet at the party last night?
32. Who did she talk to on the phone yesterday?
33. Who did they invite to the wedding?
34. Who did he ask for help with his project?
35. Who did you see at the grocery store?
36. Who did she call for the meeting?
37. Who did they choose as the leader?
38. Who did he visit during the weekend?
39. Who did you sit next to at the event?
40. Who did she borrow the book from?

“What” Simple Past Questions

41. What did you eat for breakfast today?
42. What did he buy at the mall yesterday?
43. What did they do last weekend?
44. What did she say during the meeting?
45. What did you find in the park yesterday?
46. What did they bring to the party?
47. What did he write in his letter?
48. What did she give you for your birthday?
49. What did you watch on TV last night?
50. What did they ask you about?

“Where” Simple Past Questions

51. Where did you go on vacation last year?
52. Where did he find his wallet?
53. Where did they park the car?
54. Where did she leave her keys?
55. Where did you see him last?
56. Where did they hold the meeting?
57. Where did he put the books?
58. Where did you take the photo?
59. Where did she study for her exams?
60. Where did they fly for their honeymoon?

“When” Simple Past Questions

61. When did you move to this city?
62. When did he finish his assignment?
63. When did they leave the house?
64. When did she start her new job?
65. When did you send the email?
66. When did they return from vacation?
67. When did he book the tickets?
68. When did she visit her parents?
69. When did you last clean your room?
70. When did they announce the news?

“Why” Simple Past Questions

71. Why did you cancel the meeting?
72. Why did he call you last night?
73. Why did they leave the party early?
74. Why did she not attend the class?
75. Why did you change your plans?
76. Why did they refuse the offer?
77. Why did he quit his job?
78. Why did she cry after the movie?
79. Why did you choose that option?
80. Why did they break up?

Tag Simple Past Questions

81. You went to the concert, didn’t you?
82. He finished the project, didn’t he?
83. They arrived late, didn’t they?
84. She helped you with the task, didn’t she?
85. You saw the movie, didn’t you?
86. He ate dinner, didn’t he?
87. They called the office, didn’t they?
88. She spoke to the manager, didn’t she?
89. You visited the museum, didn’t you?
90. They cleaned the house, didn’t they?

Yes/No Simple Past Questions

91. Did you like the food at the restaurant?
92. Did he enjoy the movie last night?
93. Did they play football yesterday?
94. Did she bake a cake for the party?
95. Did you hear the news this morning?
96. Did he finish the report on time?
97. Did they swim in the pool yesterday?
98. Did she attend the meeting last week?
99. Did you enjoy the music at the concert?
100. Did they visit the museum on Saturday?

Mixed Simple Past Questions

101. Who did you meet yesterday?
102. When did you last see him?
103. What did they discuss during the meeting?
104. Why did she cancel the appointment?
105. Where did he leave his phone?
106. How did they finish the task so quickly?
107. What did you do after the movie?
108. Why didn’t they attend the event?
109. Who did she call after the exam?
110. When did you arrive at the hotel?

Past Continuous Integration Simple Past Questions

111. Were you studying when he called?
112. Were they playing football when it started to rain?
113. Was she reading when the lights went out?
114. Were you sleeping when the alarm rang?
115. Were they working late last night?
116. Was he cooking when you arrived?
117. Were they arguing when you saw them?
118. Was she running when she tripped?
119. Were you driving when it started snowing?
120. Was he watching TV when the power went out?

Conclusion

We’ve explored 120 examples of simple past questions, covering many scenarios. These questions are more than just grammar exercises – they’re tools to help you communicate effectively about past events.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Try using these questions in your daily conversations. Start with simpler ones and gradually move to more complex structures. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re part of the learning process.

By mastering simple past questions, you’re opening doors to richer conversations and better understanding. You can inquire about others’ experiences and share your own more confidently.

Keep this list handy as a reference. Review it regularly, and soon, you’ll naturally form these questions. Your journey to fluent English continues, and we’re excited to see how far you’ll go!