Past Simple vs. Past Continuous Exercises

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense: You(work) as a waitress, when I(meet) you. When I (walk) into the room it (be) chaos! The dog (run) around the room and the children (write) on the walls. Excuse me, sir! Can you tell us what you (do) at 11 o‘clock last night? As soon as I (see) the accident. I(call) the police. The day I (hear) he news I (study) for my exams. We (sit) at the breakfast table when the doorbell (ring). He (meet) a lot of friendly people while he (study) in California.

When they (leave) the museum, the sun (shine). The students (play) cards when the teacher (come) in. While the children (sleep), their parents (watch) TV. It (start) to rain while she (water) the flowers in the garden. When I (open) the door, it (snow). While Henry (have) a drink at the bar, his wife (swim) in the sea. He (hear) a loud bang when he (talk) to his friends. While he (have) a shower, his dogs (eat) his steaks. When I (see) Dave, he (work).

Peter (call) when I (study). The children (play) when their father (come) home. Robert (fall) of the ladder when he (pick) cherries. Caroline (burn) her hand when she (iron) the clothes. When she (speak) on the phone, the milk (boil) over. I (jog) in the park, when two squirrels (cross) my way. Archimedes (discover) the theory of buoyancy while he (have) the bath. I (cycle) through the park, when I (hear) a strange noise.

He (pass) his message when the teacher (not look) I (fall) asleep while I (watch) TV. Tom (break) his leg while when he (play) frisbee. Sam (mow) the grass while his wife (pick) strawberries. She (come) to school, (take) out her textbook and (begin) to learn. When Jane (do) the language course in Ireland, she (visit) Blarney Castle. When I (be) on my way home, the earthquake (start) When it (start) to rain, our dog (want) to come inside.

Choose the correct form: ______ when the telephone rang? A) Were you sleeping? B) Did you sleep? C) Were sleeping? When ______ yesterday morning? A) were you getting up? B) did you get up? C) do you get up? While I ______ to work, I saw an accident. A) was driving B) drove C) was driven I dropped the cup, while I ____ the dishes. A) washed B) were washing C) was washing Tony came to see while I ______ my homework. A) was doing B) did C) was done When Anne was driving, she _______ an animal. A) noticed B) was noticing C) was noticed