English Worksheet for 8-Year-Olds — "Past or Present?" Flashcard Game to Teach Simple Past Verbs

Instructions

Let's explore actions that happen Now and actions that happened in the Past! Read the instructions for each part carefully and have fun!

Part 1: Past or Now?

Read each sentence. Is it happening in the past or now? Circle the correct word.

1. A person is using a mobile phone to send a message.

   Past       Now

2. A cave person is drawing a picture of a mammoth on a wall.

   Past       Now

3. A family is cooking dinner over a fire they made with sticks.

   Past       Now

4. A boy is playing a game on a tablet.

   Past       Now

5. A knight is riding a horse to a castle.

   Past       Now

6. A girl is watching a cartoon on a big TV.

   Past       Now

Part 2: Match the Action Words!

Action words (verbs) change when we talk about the past. "Today I draw," but "Yesterday I drew." Draw a line to match the action word for Now to its word for the Past.

Part 3: Complete the Sentences

Use the Past action words from the box to finish the sentences below.

1. Last week, I _______________ a big, red bird in the garden.


2. Long ago, the people _______________ a fire to stay warm.


3. Yesterday, my friend _______________ a funny picture of a cat.


4. For breakfast, I _______________ a banana and some cereal.


5. Last summer, my family _______________ to the mountains for a holiday.


6. My grandpa told me he once _______________ a horse on his farm.

Answer Key

Part 1: Past or Now?

1. Now
2. Past
3. Past
4. Now
5. Past
6. Now

Part 2: Match the Action Words!

• draw → drew
• eat → ate
• make → made
• ride → rode
• see → saw
• go → went

Part 3: Complete the Sentences

1. saw
2. made
3. drew
4. ate
5. went
6. rode