Some People Who Led America

Irregular Past Tense Verbs

These verbs have irregular past tense forms.

photograph of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
PresentPastExample
thinkthoughtSusan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton thought women should have the right to vote.
leadledTogether, they led a movement to get more rights for women.
gowentThey went to cities around the country.
givegaveThey gave speeches to try to change the law.
speakspokeThey spoke at many meetings.
seesawMany people saw them. In 1920, Congress passed a law that gave women the right to vote.

Build Sentences

Read each sentence. Change the underlined verb to tell about the past. Say the new sentence to a partner.

    Example

  • 1. In 1965, César Chávez led a protest to get better treatment for farmworkers.

photograph of César Chávez

  • 1. In 1965, César Chávez leads a protest to get better treatment for farmworkers.

  • 2. He goes to farms throughout California.

  • 3. He speaks to many farmworkers. By 1970, many growers agreed to fair treatment for the farmworkers.

  • 4. Martin Luther King, Jr., thinks African Americans should have equal rights.

    photograph of Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • 5. He gives many speeches.

  • 6. Thousands of people see him. A new law was passed in 1964 to give all Americans equal rights.

Write Sentences illustration of pen icon

7.–10. Write 4 sentences to tell about a person who came to the United States for the first time. How did that person feel?

    Example

  • 7. He felt excited to be in a new place.