Past Simple To Be Interactive HTML Game | Was/Were ESL Speaking

Make was/were practice fun, visual, and easy to use with this interactive ESL HTML board game.

Lost in the Past is a no-prep digital grammar game for practising the Past Simple of "to be" in affirmative, negative, and question forms. Students choose a token, roll the built-in dice, move around the board, complete grammar tasks, and check their answers instantly — plus a shuffled deck of Speaking Challenge cards keeps them talking about their own lives, not just reading sentences back.

The game works in a browser and can be used on a computer, tablet, or interactive whiteboard. No internet is required after opening the file.

What's included:

• 1 interactive HTML game file
• How to Play file
• Terms of Use file
• 38-space board game
• 2–4 player mode
• 5 themed player tokens
• Built-in dice
• Instant answer checking
• Affirmative, negative, and question practice
• 16-card Speaking Challenge deck for personal, unscripted speaking practice
• Time trap and time portal spaces
• Multiplayer continue-to-finish — every player gets their turn to reach FINISH and see their place
• Winner screen
• Works on any device with a browser
• No internet required

Students practise sentences like:

• Leo was at the museum last week.
• Mia wasn't at home yesterday evening.
• Were the Browns at school last week?

...and answer personal Speaking Challenge questions like:

• Where were you yesterday evening?
• Were you at school yesterday?

Perfect for:

• ESL / EFL grammar practice
• A1 learners
• Past Simple of "to be"
• was / were review
• speaking practice
• revision lessons
• pair work
• small groups
• whole-class games

Why teachers will love it:

• No prep
• No printing
• Built-in dice
• Instant feedback
• Real speaking practice built in, not just grammar drilling
• Works offline
• Works on any device with a browser
• Easy to use in class
• Great for grammar revision and speaking practice

Suggested use:

Open the HTML file in a browser, choose the number of players, add names, pick tokens, and start playing. Students roll, move, read the task, say or choose the correct answer, and check it right away. Landing on a Speaking Challenge space draws a card with a personal question to answer out loud.

Please note:

This is a digital HTML game. It is not a PowerPoint, PDF board game, or online platform. No special app is needed — just open the HTML file in a browser.