Semaine 8 – Jour 3 Grammaire – Questions au passé simple
INTRODUCTION
Parler du présent, c’est bien.
Mais une vraie conversation inclut le passé :
• Where did you go yesterday?
• What did you do last weekend?
• Why did you start learning English?
Aujourd’hui, tu apprends à poser des questions au passé simple.
LISTENING DU JOUR
COURS & EXERCICES
❓ ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE PAST SIMPLE (A2 → B2)
Knowing how to ask questions about the past is essential for telling stories, describing experiences, and succeeding in oral and written exams. This lesson takes you from the basics (A2) to more advanced structures (B2).
🔑 GOLDEN RULE:
(Question word) + DID + SUBJECT + VERB (base form) + ... ?
Ex: What did you do yesterday?
After "did", the verb NEVER takes the past form: ❌ "Did you went?" → ✅ "Did you go?"
(Question word) + DID + SUBJECT + VERB (base form) + ... ?
Ex: What did you do yesterday?
After "did", the verb NEVER takes the past form: ❌ "Did you went?" → ✅ "Did you go?"
PART A — A2 FOUNDATIONS
1. Yes/No Questions
Structure: Did + Subject + Verb (base form) + ?
Did you watch the match yesterday? — Did she call you?
Answer: Yes, I did. / No, she didn't.
Did you watch the match yesterday? — Did she call you?
Answer: Yes, I did. / No, she didn't.
2. Wh- Questions
Structure: Question word + did + Subject + Verb (base form) + ?
What did you do last weekend? — Where did they go? — When did she arrive?
With "to be": no "did" needed — Was she at home? Where were you?
What did you do last weekend? — Where did they go? — When did she arrive?
With "to be": no "did" needed — Was she at home? Where were you?
3. Simple Negative Questions
Structure: Didn't + Subject + Verb + ?
Didn't you finish your homework? — Didn't she come to school?
Didn't you finish your homework? — Didn't she come to school?
PART B — B1
4. Subject Questions (no "did")
When "Who" or "What" IS the subject, we don't add "did".
Who called you yesterday? (NOT "Who did call you?")
What happened at the meeting?
Compare: "Who did you call?" (object Q) vs "Who called you?" (subject Q)
Who called you yesterday? (NOT "Who did call you?")
What happened at the meeting?
Compare: "Who did you call?" (object Q) vs "Who called you?" (subject Q)
5. Question Tags (Past)
Structure: Statement (past) + auxiliary (opposite polarity) + pronoun
You went to the party, didn't you? — She wasn't there, was she?
You went to the party, didn't you? — She wasn't there, was she?
6. Irregular Verbs Reminder
"Did" is ALWAYS followed by the base form, even with irregular verbs:
✅ Did she go? (not "did she went")
✅ Did you eat? (not "did you ate")
✅ Did he see it? (not "did he saw")
✅ Did she go? (not "did she went")
✅ Did you eat? (not "did you ate")
✅ Did he see it? (not "did he saw")
PART C — B2
7. Negative Questions (surprise/confirmation)
Didn't you see the message I sent? — Wasn't the exam difficult?
Used to express surprise or invite agreement — the speaker often expects "yes".
Used to express surprise or invite agreement — the speaker often expects "yes".
8. Embedded / Reported Questions (Past)
Structure: I wonder / She asked / Do you know + question word/if + Subject + Verb (no inversion, no "did")
I wonder what happened. — She asked me where I had been.
In reported speech, the tense shifts back: "Did you call?" → She asked if I had called.
I wonder what happened. — She asked me where I had been.
In reported speech, the tense shifts back: "Did you call?" → She asked if I had called.
9. Formal & Academic Past Questions
What were the main causes of this event?
To what extent did this decision affect the population?
What was the significance of this discovery?
To what extent did this decision affect the population?
What was the significance of this discovery?
📊 Full Summary Table
| Type | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No | A2 | Did you watch the match? |
| Wh- | A2 | What did you do? |
| Simple negative | A2 | Didn't you finish? |
| Subject | B1 | Who called you? |
| Tag | B1 | You went, didn't you? |
| Negative (surprise) | B2 | Didn't you see it? |
| Embedded/Reported | B2 | I wonder what happened. |
| Academic | B2 | What were the causes of...? |
💡 TIP: In reported/embedded questions, NEVER invert subject and verb. ❌ "I wonder what did happen" → ✅ "I wonder what happened."
🎙️ Coach Assoa: "Talking about the past is how we tell our stories. Master these question structures, from the simplest to the most advanced, and you'll narrate any experience with confidence. ZERO PANIC!"
✏️ Exercise 1 — Multiple Choice
15 questions • You will have 23 minutes to complete this exercise.
✍️ Exercise 2 — Writing Practice
Writing task • You will have 5 minutes to complete this exercise.