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Part 1 ยท Episode 15 A2-B1

Did You See It?

๐Ÿ“ Past Simple (questions)

Titanic survivors ยท 1912: Titanic ๐Ÿ“– 4 min read

Episode 15: Did You See It?

Past Simple: questions โ€” Titanic survivors, 1912 (A1-A2)

Grammar Box

Meaning: We use did to ask questions about the past. The main verb stays in its base form (no -ed, no irregular change).

Form: Did + subject + base verb?

Example 1: Did you see the movie? (not: Did you saw)

Example 2: Did she go home? (not: Did she went)

Common mistake: Wrong: Did you went there? Better: Did you go there?

The Question

Luna wanted to ask about yesterday. “You saw the movie yesterday?” It sounded strange. Her watch glowed. Professor Wisdom appeared softly. “When we ask about the past, we need a helper word: did. Come. Let’s hear people asking questions after an unbelievable tragedy.”

The Journey

The world shifted. Luna stood in a large room in New York. April 19, 1912. Morning. Survivors of the Titanic sat in chairs. Reporters filled the room. Everyone wanted to know what happened. How did the great ship sink? Why did so many people die?

The survivors looked exhausted. They wore borrowed clothes. Their faces were pale. Many were still in shock. Three days ago, they had been on the world’s most luxurious ship. Now they sat here, trying to explain the unthinkable.

A reporter stood up. “Did you hear the collision?” he asked. A woman nodded slowly. “Yes. It sounded like thunder. But not loud. We didn’t think it was serious.”

Another reporter asked, “Did the crew tell you to get in the lifeboats?” A man shook his head. “Not at first. They said the ship was safe. They told us to go back to our rooms.”

“Did you see the iceberg?” The questions kept coming. “Did the band really keep playing?” “Did the captain stay on the ship?” “Did anyone try to help?”

Each survivor had a different story. Some saw chaos. Some saw heroism. A woman remembered musicians playing calm music as the ship sank. A man remembered children crying in the freezing water. A crew member remembered the terrible silence after the ship disappeared.

People had thought Titanic was unsinkable. They had believed technology could defeat nature. They had trusted the experts. They had been wrong.

Over 1,500 people died that night. The ship had too few lifeboats. The crew had no proper training. The wireless operators on nearby ships didn’t respond fast enough.

Luna watched the survivors’ faces. She could feel their guilt. Why did I survive when others died? She could sense their confusion. How did this happen? The room felt heavy with grief and questions.

The Insight

“Listen to how they asked questions,” the Professor said. “‘Did you hear?’ ‘Did they tell you?’ ‘Did you see?’ When we ask about the past, we use did plus the base form of the verb.”

He continued, “In statements, we say ‘I heard’ or ‘I saw.’ But in questions, we say ‘Did you hear?’ or ‘Did you see?’ The verb goes back to its base form. Did carries the past meaning.”

“We use did for all subjects: I, you, he, she, we, they. The pattern is simple: Did + subject + base verb?”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

  1. “Did you finish your homework?” โ€” Question about completed task.
  2. “Did she call you yesterday?” โ€” Question about past contact.
  3. “Did they arrive on time?” โ€” Question about punctuality.
  4. “Did he understand the lesson?” โ€” Question about comprehension.
  5. “Did you have a good weekend?” โ€” Question about past experience.
  6. “Did it rain last night?” โ€” Question about weather.

Exercises:

  1. Fill in the blank: _ you ___ (see) that movie last week?

  2. Choose the correct:
    a) Did you went to school yesterday?
    b) Did you go to school yesterday?

  3. Make a question: They finished the work. โ†’ _ they ___ the work?

  4. Complete: _ she ___ (like) the gift you gave her?

  5. Your turn: Write a question about yesterday using did.

Answer Key:

  1. Did you see
  2. b) Did you go to school yesterday? (base form after did)
  3. Did they finish
  4. Did she like
  5. Check: Did you use did + base verb? Examples: “Did you study last night?” “Did they come to the party?” “Did he eat breakfast?”

The Lesson

They returned to Luna’s room. Luna asked, “Did you enjoy teaching me today?” The Professor smiled. “Yes, I did. You’re learning well.” Luna nodded. “Questions help us understand. Like those reporters, we ask to learn the truth. Every question brings us closer to understanding.”