Video A : Introduction to asking questions with “Be past + noun”

Hello and welcome to your MES eLesson.

I'm Virginia.

Today you’re going

to learn the what and the how of asking “Be past + noun” questions.

Let’s start with “WHAT.” What are these

questions used for?

They can be used to ask about jobs in the past.

For example,

“Were you a secretary?”

Good. Now, let’s learn “HOW.” How do you use these questions?

First, know how to

conjugate “Be past”.

If you want to ask about yourself, please repeat:

Was I
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-
If you want to ask about me,
Were you
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-
If you want to ask about a man, for example, Henry,
Was Henry
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-
If you want to ask about a woman, for example, Jenny,
Was Jenny
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-
If you want to ask about you and me,
Were we
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If you want to ask about other people,
Were they
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-
It’s very important to memorize this conjugation fluently before you start practicing Video B.

Next, you need to study

your vocabulary to know a variety of nouns,
for example,

Were you:
a salesperson?
an accountant?
the barber?

Remember, be sure to pronounce the “an” before nouns that begin with vowel sounds.
For example,
“Were you a salesperson?”

“Were you an accountant?”

Keep in mind that native speakers ask questions in a friendly way – your facial expression is very
important. Watch me – for example,

“Were you a cashier?” “Were you an auditor?”

“Were you the director?”

Let’s try saying those three questions together! Please repeat after me:

“Were you a cashier?”

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-
Great job! Remember to think about your facial expression!

Let’s do another. Please repeat after me:

“Were you an auditor?”

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-
Good! Remember to follow my intonation!

Let’s do one more! Please repeat after me:

“Were you the director?”

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-
Excellent!

We’ll practice these examples and more

in Video B.

<Quick Review>
Now, let’s review!

First, what are “Be past + noun” questions used for?

They can be used to ask about jobs in the past.

Second, how do you use these questions?

You use them by knowing the conjugation of

“Be past,” and building a more specific question
with the vocabulary.

Well done! Let’s move on to Video B to really practice making your own questions! Remember to
keep on reviewing your vocabulary.

I'm Virginia! See you next time!

Video B : Practicing asking with “Be past + noun”

Hi and welcome back

to your MES eLesson.
I’m Virginia.
Now that you
understand the
concept of asking
questions with
“Be past + noun”,
let’s practice.
Before we begin,
let's review the
conjugation that
you learned in Video A.
Let's use a normal conversation speed.

Please repeat after me.

Was I
-
-
Please repeat:
Were you
-
-
Please repeat:
Was Jacob
-
-
Please repeat:
Was Laura
-
-
Please repeat:
Were we
-
-
Please repeat:
Were they
-
-
Excellent! That’s the
speed you should use in order to speak English fluently!

Now that you’ve

memorized this
conjugation, let’s
build a full question
with the noun "a coach".
Please repeat:

“A coach”
-
-
Good, now please repeat after me:
Was I a coach?
-
-
Were you a coach?
-
-
Was Jacob a coach?
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-
Was Laura a coach?
-
-
Were we coaches?
-
-
Were they coaches?
-
-
Exactly.
Now, let’s practice
making your own
questions with other
nouns, using the
indefinite article “a”.
Please listen to the noun first, then repeat after me:

a programmer
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-
Good! Now ask me if I was a programmer:
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-
Nice! Please repeat. Were you a programmer?
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-
Now ask me if Richard was a programmer:
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Nice! Please repeat:
Was Richard a programmer?
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-
Good! Let’s do another!

Please repeat.
a bank teller
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-
Good! Now ask me if I was a bank teller:
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-
Good! Please repeat:
Were you a bank teller?
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-
Now ask me about Patricia:
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-
Good! Please repeat:
Was Patricia a bank teller?
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-
Great! Now let’s practice using the indefinite article “an.”

Please repeat after me:

an anchor
-
-
Good! Now ask me:
-
-
Good! Please repeat:
Were you an anchor?
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-
Now ask me about Barbara:
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-
Excellent! Please repeat:
Was Barbara an anchor?
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-
Good! Let’s do another example.
Please repeat.
an actuary
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-
Nice. Now ask me:
-
-
Good! Please repeat:
Were you an actuary?
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-
Now ask me about Sam:
-
-
Please repeat:
Was Sam an actuary?
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-
Very nice!
Please repeat:
An electrician
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-
Good! Now ask me:
-
-
Nice! Please repeat:
Were you an electrician?
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-
Now ask me about Joseph and Paul:
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-
Great! Please repeat:
Were they electricians?
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Excellent!

Now let’s practice

using the definite article “the.”

Please repeat after me:

the researcher
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-
Good. Now ask me:
-
-
Good! Please repeat:
Were you the researcher?
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-
Now ask me about Teddy:
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Nice! Please repeat:
Was Teddy the reseacher?
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Nice! Please repeat after me:
the developer
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-
Good! Now ask me:
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Very good! Please repeat:
Were you the developer?
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Now ask me about Bob:
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Nice! Please repeat:
Was Bob the developer?
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Excellent!
Please repeat after me:
the scientist
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Good! Now ask me:
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Nice! Please repeat:
Were you the scientist?
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Good. Now ask me about Molly:
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Very nice! Please repeat:
Was Molly the scientist?
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Well done!

Please practice
with this video until
you are able to ask
questions fluently!

Remember it’s
important to practice
this video as much as possible until you feel comfortable!