Pronunciation insight 8

Past simple -ed endings
-ed at the end of past simple forms is pronounced in three different ways: ■ / t / liked ■ / d / listened ■ / ɪd / waited
1Say the past simple form of the regular verbs below. Then write the verbs with the correct end sounds in the table below. 
  • chat
  • invent
  • like
  • listen
  • love
  • stop
  • visit
  • talk
  • change

/t/

likedstoppedtalked

/d/

listenedlovedchanged

/ɪd/

chattedinventedvisited




2Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 1. Then listen and repeat. 
Past simple -ed endings
-ed at the end of past simple forms is pronounced in three different ways: ■ /tliked ■ /dlistened ■ /ɪdwaited
3Complete the sentences with the past simple affirmative form of the verbs in the box. Choose the correct symbols for the endings: /t/, /d/ or /ɪd/. Then play the recording, listen and check. 
  • finish
  • open
  • live
  • start
  • want
  • watch
  • 1started school at 9.30 yesterday morning.

  • /ɪd/

  • 2We finished our exams yesterday and now we're on holiday!

  • /t/

  • 3watched a funny film with Dad last night.

  • /t/

  • 4Harry wanted to make new friends, but it wasn't easy.

  • /ɪd/

  • 5They opened the front door and went into the house.

  • /d/

  • 6My family lived in Delhi in the 1970s.

  • /d/


Past simple -ed endings
-ed at the end of past simple forms is pronounced in three different ways: ■ /tliked ■ /dlistened ■ /ɪdwaited
4Play the recording and listen to the sentences. Are the sentences present simple or past simple? Then listen again and complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb you hear. 
  • 1We like cycling to school.

  • present simple

  • 2chatted to my friend every evening.

  • past simple

  • 3They arrived in the morning.

  • past simple

  • 4Charlotte works hard.

  • present simple

  • 5My brother studies maths at university.

  • present simple

  • 6Jake and I loved drama.

  • past simple


Past irregular verbs
5Play the recording and listen to the pairs of verbs. Tick (✔) the verbs that rhyme. Then listen and repeat. 
  • 1rodethought

  • 2readsaid

  • 3grewknew

  • 4wrotewore

  • 5leftgrew

  • 6madestayed