We use was and were to tell about something that happened in the past.
We use was to tell about one person, place, or thing.
A giraffe was standing on the field.
She was painting last week.
Vancouver Island was a fun place to visit.
We use the word were to tell about more than one person, place, or thing.
Two giraffes were standing on the field.
They were painting last week.
The Galapagos Islands were a fun place to visit.