Imagine you’re looking back at something that already happened.
Past Truth: This is about things that were simply a fact at that time. Like, “The sun was bright.” It was just how it was. Or “My name was ‘X’ in school.” It was true then. It’s about how things truly were, no matter what.
Past Description: This is about how something looked, felt, or seemed at that specific time. Like, “The flowers were red.” You’re telling someone what they were like. Or “The air was cold.” You’re giving details about its qualities. It’s painting a picture of how things were.
Past Position: This is about where something or someone was located at that time. Like, “The ball was on the table.” It tells you its spot. Or “I was in the garden.” It shows your location. It’s about where things were found.
In all these cases, we’re simply stating how things were in a time that’s already gone by. We’re not talking about actions or what anyone did. Just what they were like, what they were, or where they were.
Before practicing, connect with the emotion behind each sentence. This emotional bond will unlock a natural flow and enhance your speaking fluency.
Module 1: Simple Sentences
The representer + was/were + information
- He was a leader.
- They were friends.
- The sky was blue.
- It was our home.
- She was happy.
- He wasn’t a doctor.
- They weren’t here.
- The car wasn’t red.
- It wasn’t their turn.
- She wasn’t sad.
Module 2: Questions
- Was he a hero?
- Were they present?
- Was it difficult?
- Were you ready?
- Was she busy?
Module 3: Real-Life Situation
Topic: My School
- My school was old.
- Classrooms were spacious.
- Teachers were kind.
- Playground was huge.
- It was our pride.
- It wasn’t new.
- Computers weren’t many.
- Library wasn’t big.
- Food wasn’t tasty.
- Sports weren’t the focus.
In the form of passage:
- My school was old. Its classrooms were spacious. The teachers were kind and helpful. Our playground was huge. It was our pride. However, it wasn’t new, and the computers weren’t many. The library wasn’t big, and the food wasn’t tasty. Sports weren’t a primary focus.
- Was it far? Yes, it was.
- Were grades good? Often, they were.
- Was the principal strict? Sometimes.
- Was it fun? Absolutely.
Video Assignment to complete by the next class
Describe your SCHOOL in your own words.
Guide for Natural Spoken English Video Assignments
- Understand deeply; don’t just memorize.
- Outline, don’t script. Use keywords/phrases, not full sentences.
- Practice speaking, not reading. Record yourself; focus on ideas, not exact words.
- Speak at a natural pace. Vary your intonation and stress.
- Maintain eye contact with the camera.
- Use natural body language and smile.
- Prioritize clear communication over perfection. Don’t dwell on minor errors.
- Think in English to avoid translation.
- Show genuine interest in your topic.
- Ensure clear audio (quiet environment) and good lighting on your face.
- Keep the camera stable and the background tidy.
- Review once for clarity and quality, but don’t over-critique.
All the best!
Additional Resources:
How to use the sentence structure in past scenarios with examples?