PAST CONTINUOUS OR PAST SIMPLE
Complete the sentences. Use the past
continuous form of the verbs in brackets.
1 The plane ____________________(fly) to Paris Choose the correct words in each
when it crashed. sentence.
2 The students _________________(wait) for the
bus when it started to rain. 1 Jim was breaking / broke his leg
3 We __________________(cross) the street when when he was playing golf.
the traffic lights turned red. 2 When I arrived, I was going / went
4 The children ____________________(play) games into the kitchen.
when their mother called them. 3 I was seeing / saw an old friend
5 Sue __________________(wash) the dishes when while I was waiting for the bus.
the phone rang. 4 While I had / was having a bath,
6 My father ___________________(cook) lunch the phone rang.
when I got home. 5 Anna was meeting / met Judy
7 Mary ____________________(slice) the bread while she was doing some shopping.
when she cut her hand. 6 While Joe was cooking / cooked
8 My brother _________________(jump) on the bed lunch, Clare arrived.
when my mum walked in. 7 Someone was taking / took
Peter’s bag while he was making a
phone call.
8 While Maria was walking home, she
was loosing / lost her money.
Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple or past
continuous.
1 When the teacher ___________________(come) into the room, two boys ____________(play)
football.
2 Peter __________________(turn on) the TV, but nothing _________________(happen).
3 When Helen ________________(walk) to school, she ______________(see) the old man
again.
4 While we _________________(run) in the park, Mary __________________(fall over).
5 At 7.00 Tony _______________(get) out of bed, and __________________(go) into the
bathroom.
6 While Kate __________________(drink) some milk, she _______________(drop) the glass.
7 While I _________________(listen) to music, I _______________(hear) the doorbell.
8 I _________________(break) my pen while I _______________(do) my homework.
