Loading page content...
Olly is preparing your space...
Loading exercise...
(e.g., He ___ tired yesterday → was)
| ✅ Correct | ❌ Wrong |
|---|---|
| They were late. | They was late. |
Written by the Olly English team · How we build our tests
Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.
All A1 questions for “Was and Were Exercises – A1 Grammar with Answers”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.
1. My sister ___ a doctor in 1990.
Answer: was
My sister is one person. In 1990 use was.
2. They ___ at home last night.
Answer: were
They means more than one. Last night use were.
3. She ___ happy yesterday.
Answer: was
She is one person. Yesterday use was.
4. Sam and I ___ late this morning.
Answer: were
Sam and I means we. This morning use were.
5. He ___ tired after school.
Answer: was
He is one person. After school use was.
6. You ___ very kind yesterday.
Answer: were
Use were with you. Yesterday is past time.
7. It ___ cold last night.
Answer: was
Use was with it. Last night is past time.
8. The shops ___ closed yesterday.
Answer: were
Shops means they. Yesterday use were.
9. My keys ___ on the desk this morning.
Answer: were
Keys means they. This morning use were.
1. Nelson Mandela_____from South Africa. His home town was Qunu.
Answer: was
Mandela is one man. Use was in the past.
2. As a boy he_____strong and active. He loved the hills near home.
Answer: was
He is one person. Use was for past time.
3. His friends_____with him at school. They played outside every day.
Answer: were
Friends means they. Use were in the past.
4. Later he_____a lawyer in the city. His office was small and busy.
Answer: was
He is one man. Use was here.
5. Those years_____hard for him. He worked for fair laws.
1. Which option does not belong?
Answer: They was at home.
They means more than one. Say they were at home.
2. Which option does not belong?
Answer: I were ready.
I always takes was. Say I was ready.
3. Which option does not belong?
Answer: You was late.
You always takes were. Say you were late.
1. Hi! Where ___ you last night?
Answer: were
Use were with you. Last night is past time.
2. I ___ at home all evening.
Answer: was
Use was with I. All evening is past time.
3. Really? The film ___ great.
1. She is happy. (past)
Answer: She was happy.
Is becomes was. Nothing else changes.
2. They are late. (past)
Answer: They were late.
Are becomes were. The rest stays.
3. I am tired. (past)
Answer: I was tired.
Am becomes was. Use was with I.
4. We are at home. (negative past)
Answer: We were not at home., We weren't at home.
Were stays with we. Not comes after it.
5. He is here. (negative past)
Answer: He was not here., He wasn't here.
Keep was with he and add not.
6. You are ready. (question past)
Answer: Were you ready?
Move were before you. Add a question mark.
Answer: were
Years means they. Use were here.
6. He_____in prison for many years. His room was small and cold.
Answer: was
He is one person. Use was, not were.
7. His letters_____short but full of hope. His wife kept every word.
Answer: were
Letters means they. Use were.
8. The year 1993_____big for him. He won the Nobel Peace Prize that year.
Answer: was
One year is one thing. Use was.
9. His books_____famous everywhere. Young readers know his name.
Answer: were
Books means they. Use were.
4. Which option does not belong?
Answer: We was not late.
We means more than one. Say we were not late.
5. Which option does not belong?
Answer: Was they at home?
They needs were. Ask were they at home.
6. Which option does not belong?
Answer: She teacher yesterday.
English needs was here. Say she was a teacher.
7. Which option does not belong?
Answer: Did you were sick?
Was makes its own question. Say were you sick.
8. Which option does not belong?
Answer: It were very cold.
It takes was. Say it was very cold.
9. Which option does not belong?
Answer: Were he on time?
He takes was. Ask was he on time.
Answer: was
One film is one thing. Use was.
4. I know. My cousins ___ there too.
Answer: were
Cousins means they. Use were here.
5. ___ they happy at the party?
Answer: Were
They needs were. Were comes first here.
6. Yes, they ___. Anna was there too.
Answer: were
A short answer keeps were with they.
7. Anna ___ not with us last week.
Answer: was
Anna is one person. Last week use was.
8. True. She ___ sick in bed.
Answer: was
She is one person. Use was here.
9. And you? ___ you sick too?
Answer: Were
You takes were. The question starts with Were.
7. It is cold. (question past)
Answer: Was it cold?
Was comes first, then it. Never use did.
8. The shops are open. (past)
Answer: The shops were open.
Shops means they. Are becomes were.
9. My bag is heavy. (past)
Answer: My bag was heavy.
My bag is one thing. Is becomes was.
.webp%3Falt%3Dmedia%26token%3Dc984d6c8-82e2-4e12-92c9-4aece905b195&w=3840&q=75)
