The Simple Past: Yes/No and Wh- Questions

An Accident

6

Focus on Grammar 2Part VI, Unit 22By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Another skier calledcalled the

paramedics.

Another skier calledcalled the

paramedics.

No, they didn’t.

They hadhad a flat tire.

No, they didn’t.

They hadhad a flat tire.

Ouch! WhoWho calledcalled for

help?

Ouch! WhoWho calledcalled for

help?

So, how did how did you hurtyou hurt

yourself?

So, how did how did you hurtyou hurt

yourself?Did the Did the

paramedics paramedics arrive arrive

quickly??

Did the Did the paramedics paramedics

arrive arrive quickly??

What happened?What happened?

I wasn’t wasn’t carefulcareful. I didn’t seedidn’t see the tree.

I wasn’t wasn’t carefulcareful. I didn’t seedidn’t see the tree.

Was he careful?

Did you see the sign?

Yes/No QuestionsYes/No Questions

Use did + subject + base form for yes/no questions in the simple past, except for the verb be.

Did they have fun? Was it heavy?

Were you afraid?he/practice you/afraid

they/have fun

Practice 1Practice 1

Did he practice?

Use the words above the pictures to make yes/no questions in the past.

it/heavy

1.

2. 3.

Example:

Wh- Question Word OrderWh- Question Word Order

When did the ambulance

Where did the accident happen?

Who did you

arrive?

call?

WhWh- Word- Word DidDid SubjectSubject Base Form of VerbBase Form of Verb

How diddid they ?

Where diddid she ?falls fall

Wh- Questions 1Wh- Questions 1

meetmet

Most wh-questions in the past use a base form verb with did.

WhereWhere did the accident happenhappen?

Why did Ben and Lee fall?

When did Hector have an accident?

Practice 2Practice 2 Make wh- questions for the colored parts of the answers.

Example: The accident happened on the first flooron the first floor.

1. Ali called the paramedicsthe paramedics.

2. Hector had an accident yesterdayyesterday.

3. Lee and Ben fell because they weren’t carefulbecause they weren’t careful.

Who did Ali call?

Wh- Questions 2Wh- Questions 2

Do not use did in wh- questions in the past when the question is about the subject.

A vaseA vase fell on my head.

A vaseA vase fell on my head.

SubjectSubject

WhatWhat fell on your head?

WhatWhat fell on your head?

SubjectSubject

Do not use did in wh- questions in the past when the question is about the subject.

Be Careful!Be Careful!

Do not use did in wh- questions with be.

I waswas in the mountains.

I waswas in the mountains.

Be Verb

Where werewere you?

Where werewere you?

Be Verb

Do not use did in wh- questions with be.

Short and Long Answers 1Short and Long Answers 1

Did it hurt?Did it hurt? Yes, it did.

It was very painful.

Yes, it did.

It was very painful.

We use short and long answers to yes/no questions.

Short and Long Answers 2Short and Long Answers 2

What did you do?

What did you do?

Cried.

I cried like a baby.

Cried.

I cried like a baby.

We also use short and long answers to wh- questions.

Practice 3Practice 3Ask 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?

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and

its licensors. All rights reserved.

ReferencesReferences