Page 75
• there was(n't), there were(n't)
• was(n't), were(n't)
I can talk about past events.
there was (n't), there were(n't)
1. Complete the examples from the text on page 74.. Then choose the correct words in the Rules.
1. __________ two new events in Rio in 2016.
2. __________ an Olympic flag until 1920.
| RULES |
| 1. We use there was and there wasn't with singular / plural nouns. 2. We use there were and there weren't with singular / plural nouns. |
2. Complete the text with affirmative and negative forms of there was and there were.
The first marathon
2,500 years ago (1) _______ a war between Greece and Persia and (2) _______ a lot of battles. (3) _______ a big battle in a place called Marathon, which the Greeks won*. This was important news, but (4) _______ any internet and (5) _______ any telephones. So a man called Pheidippides ran* to Athens with news of the battle. He ran about forty-one kilometres. (6) _______ any good roads, so it was a difficult journey. When he arrived in Athens, he died.
*won = past of win, ran = past of run.
3. Complete the sentences with affirmative and negative forms of there was and there were.
Use many, any or a / an.
2,500 years ago ...
1. ... rich footballers.
2. ... chariot races.
3. ...country called Persia.
4. ... sport called skateboarding.
5. ... messengers.
6. ... iPads.
4. 
USE IT! Work in pairs. Compare your sentences in exercise 3.
was(n't), were(n't)
5. Complete the sentences about the Olympics timeline text on page 74. Then complete the rule.
1. There _______ silver medals for winners.
2. Inge Sorenson _______ the youngest medallist.
3. Abebe Bikila from Ethiopia _______ the first African to win a gold medal.
4. Golf _______ an Olympic sport until 2016.
5. There _______ any games in 2020.
| RULE |
| was and were are the past forms of ________. The negative forms of was and were are ________ and ________. |
6. Complete the sentences with was and were and your own ideas.
I _______ born in _______.
I was born in Ho Chi Minh City.
1. When I _______ younger, my favourite sport _______.
2. The number one song last week _______.
3. My first words _______.
4. My favourite films last year _______.
5. My favourite day last week _______.
6. When I _______ younger, my hobbies _______.
7. My last meal _______.
7. 
USE IT! Work in groups. Compare your sentences in exercise 6.
Finished?
Think of more differences between life 100 years ago and now. Use there was, there were, was and were.
