Need the rule behind this exercise? Read Verb tenses. For the bigger picture, explore Russian grammar.
Past Tense: Basic Past Actions 1
Learn past tense formation and gender agreement
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Browse Verbs practiceQuestion 1
Вчера она ___ в театр.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'идти' (to go).
Options
- шёл
- шла
- шло
- шли
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- шла
Correct feedback
Perfect! 'Шла' is the correct feminine past tense form.
Grammar rule
Past tense verbs agree with gender: masculine -л, feminine -ла, neuter -ло, plural -ли.
Question 2
Мой брат ___ футбол в школе.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'играть' (to play).
Options
- играл
- играла
- играло
- играли
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- играл
Correct feedback
Excellent! 'Играл' is the correct masculine past tense form.
Grammar rule
Past tense masculine form ends in -л (no additional vowel).
Question 3
Дети ___ во дворе до вечера.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'гулять' (to walk/stroll).
Options
- гулял
- гуляла
- гуляло
- гуляли
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- гуляли
Correct feedback
Perfect! 'Гуляли' is the correct plural past tense form.
Grammar rule
Past tense plural form always ends in -ли regardless of gender.
Question 4
Солнце ___ весь день.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'светить' (to shine).
Options
- светил
- светила
- светило
- светили
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- светило
Correct feedback
Great! 'Светило' is the correct neuter past tense form.
Grammar rule
Past tense neuter form ends in -ло.
Question 5
Мама ___ обед на кухне.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'готовить' (to cook/prepare).
Options
- готовил
- готовила
- готовило
- готовили
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- готовила
Correct feedback
Excellent! 'Готовила' is the correct feminine past tense form.
Grammar rule
Past tense feminine form ends in -ла.
Question 6
Мы ___ русский язык два года.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'изучать' (to study).
Options
- изучал
- изучала
- изучало
- изучали
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- изучали
Correct feedback
Perfect! 'Изучали' is the correct plural past tense form.
Grammar rule
First person plural past tense uses the -ли ending.
Question 7
Учитель ___ новое правило.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'объяснять' (to explain).
Options
- объяснял
- объясняла
- объясняло
- объясняли
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- объяснял
Correct feedback
Great! 'Объяснял' is the correct masculine past tense form.
Grammar rule
Masculine nouns ending in -ь are still masculine in past tense agreement.
Question 8
Твоя сестра ___ письмо бабушке?
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'писать' (to write).
Options
- писал
- писала
- писало
- писали
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- писала
Correct feedback
Excellent! 'Писала' is the correct feminine past tense form.
Grammar rule
Feminine nouns require feminine past tense endings.
Question 9
Вы ___ новости по телевизору?
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'смотреть' (to watch).
Options
- смотрел
- смотрела
- смотрело
- смотрели
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- смотрели
Correct feedback
Perfect! 'Смотрели' is the correct plural past tense form.
Grammar rule
Second person plural and formal address use plural past tense endings.
Question 10
Окно ___ открытым всю ночь.
English context
Choose the correct past tense form of 'оставаться' (to remain).
Options
- оставался
- оставалась
- оставалось
- оставались
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- оставалось
Correct feedback
Great! 'Оставалось' is the correct neuter past tense form.
Grammar rule
Reflexive verbs in past tense: neuter forms end in -лось.