This document provides instruction on forming yes/no and wh- questions in the simple past tense in English. It includes examples of forming questions using "did" with subjects and base verb forms for yes/no questions. For wh- questions, it explains using the wh- word at the beginning followed by the subject and base verb form. Short and long answer formats are also demonstrated for responding to yes/no and wh- questions in the past tense.

1. The Simple Past: Yes/No
and Wh- Questions
An Accident
6
Focus on Grammar 2
Part VI, Unit 22
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Another skier
called the
paramedics.
No, they
didn’t.
They had a
flat tire.
Ouch! Who
called for
help?
So, how did
you hurt
yourself?Did the
paramedics
arrive
quickly?
What happened?
I wasn’t
careful. I
didn’t see
the tree.

3. Was he careful?
Did you see the sign?
Yes/No Questions
Use did + subject + base form for yes/no questions in
the simple past, except for the verb be.

4. Did they have fun?Was it heavy?
Were you afraid?
he/practice you/afraid
they/have fun
Practice 1
Did he practice?
Use the words above the
pictures to make yes/no
questions in the past.
it/heavy
1.
2. 3.
Example:

5. Wh- Question Word Order
When did the ambulance
Where did the accident happen?
Who did you
arrive?
call?
Wh- Word Did Subject Base Form of Verb

6. How did they ?
Where did she ?fallsfall
Wh- Questions 1
meetmet
Most wh-questions in the past use a
base form verb with did.

7. Where did the accident happen?
Why did Ben and Lee fall?
When did Hector have an accident?
Practice 2 Make wh- questions for the
colored parts of the answers.
Example: The accident happened on the first floor.
1. Ali called the paramedics.
2. Hector had an accident yesterday.
3. Lee and Ben fell because they weren’t careful.
Who did Ali call?

8. Wh- Questions 2
Do not use did in wh- questions in the past when the
question is about the subject.
A vase fell on
my head.
Subject
What fell on
your head?
Subject
Do not use did in wh- questions in the past
when the question is about the subject.

9. Be Careful!
Do not use did in wh- questions with be.
I was in the
mountains.
Be Verb
Where were
you?
Be Verb
Do not use did in wh- questions with be.

10. Short and Long Answers 1
Did it hurt?
Yes, it did.
It was very
painful.
We use short and long answers to yes/no
questions.

11. Short and Long Answers 2
What did
you do?
Cried.
I cried like a
baby.
We also use short and long answers to wh-
questions.

12. Practice 3
Ask and answer the questions
below with a partner. Use
short and long answers.
1. How was your weekend?
2. What did you do?
3. Did you have fun?
4. Where did you go?
5. Did you do any homework?
6. Who were you with?

13. Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.
References