Good and Taboo- Past Simple Questions

Good and taboo Past Simple questions with was and did

Ask each other questions from below, picking the most normal questions to ask a classmate first. If you ask a question which is too personal, your partner can challenge you with “I’m afraid that’s a bit personal”, “That’s a strange question”, “I’m sorry but people don’t usually ask about that in my country”, etc. If your question seems fine. If you are scoring, you get one point for a question or challenge to a question which is accepted.  

Ask about any questions which you don’t understand, can’t answer, are not sure if they are taboo or not, etc, asking or politely refusing to answer each time.

Without looking at the questions below, make as many good Past Simple small talk questions as you can out question starters like these. Many other questions not below are also possible:

Did you do anything…?

Did you go…?

Did you have…?

Did you hear…?

Did you see…?

How was…?

I heard that you…

That’s a really nice…

What was… first…?

What was… last…?

When did…?

Who…?

You said that you were going to… …?

Look below, making sure that you have avoided the taboo questions, brainstorm more, then compare your extra ideas as a class.

 

Good and taboo Past Simple questions

• Did you do anything nice at the weekend?
• Did you do anything special last night?
• Did you eat too much during the vacation?
• Did you forget to brush your hair/ put on your make up/ use deodorant/ shave?
• Did you go clubbing last night?
• Did you go to university?/ Which university did you go to?
• Did you have a good time (last night/ on your honeymoon/ on your vacation)?
• Did you have a good weekend?
• Did you have any problems getting here?
• Did you have many boyfriends/ girlfriends/ lovers when you were younger?
• Did you have time for breakfast this morning?
• Did you have to come far today?
• Did you hear the bad news about your company?
• Did you hear the gossip about the teacher in the next classroom?
• Did you hear the weather forecast (for tomorrow)?
• (You smell sweaty). Did you run to work?
• Did you see anything good (on TV/ on Netflix) last night?
• Did you see the (football) match (between… and …)? (How was it?)
• Didn’t you sleep well? (You look really tired.)
• Didn’t you wear the same shirt yesterday?
• How drunk were you last night?
• How much did you drink last night?
• How much did your house cost?
• How was the traffic (coming from…/ this morning/ on… road)?
• How was your (summer/ Xmas/ New Year/ Easter/ bank) holiday/ vacation?
• How was your evening?
• How was your lunch/ dinner/ meal?
• I heard that you got divorced? Why? What happened?
• I heard that you went to Hawaii. How was it?
• That’s a really nice watch. I’ve been looking for one like that. How much did it cost?
• That’s a really nice briefcase. I’ve been looking for one like that. Where did you get it?
• Were you a good student (in junior high school)?
• What time did you finish work (last night)?/ What time did you finish school (today)?
• What was the first music that you ever bought?
• What was your last job (before this one)?
• When did you have your first kiss?
• When did you last have a shower?
• Where did you last go on vacation?
• Where was your last trip to?
• Who did you (last) fly with (from…) (to…)?
• Who was your first crush?
• Why did you decide to wear that today?
• Why did you marry him/ her?
• You said that you were going to a conference. How did it go?