Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"Just as I _______ (get) into the bath, all the lights _______ (go) off."

• got, went

• was getting, was going

• got, was going

• was getting, went

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"I _______ (hope) to go away this weekend, but my boss _______ (give) me some work that I have to finish by Monday."

• was hoping, gave

• hoped, was giving

• was hoping, was giving

• hoped, gave

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"While I _______ (live) in Paris, I _______ (spend) three hours a day travelling to and from work."

• was living, was spending

• was living, spent

• lived, spent

• lived, was spending

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"A friendly Swedish couple _______ (start) chatting to him as he _______ (check in) at the hotel reception."

• started, was checking in

• started, checked in

• was starting, was checking in

• was starting, checked in

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"I bumped into Mary last week. She _______ (look) a lot better than when I last _______ (see) her."

• was looking, was seeing

• was looking, saw

• looked, seen

• looked, was seeing

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"My boss _______ (come) into the office just as I _______ (show) everyone my holiday photos."

• came, showed

• was coming, showed

• came, was showing

• was coming, was showing

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"I _______ (play) badminton four times a week before I _______ (break) my ankle."

• was playing, was breaking

• play, was breaking

• played, broke

• was playing, broke

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"The smoke alarm _______ (go off) when he _______ (light) a cigarette under it."

• went off, was lighting

• was going, was lighting

• went off, lit

• was going, lit

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"I can't remember how to answer this question. I must confess that I _______ (not listen) while the teacher _______ (explain) it to us."

• didn't listen, was explaining

• wasn't listening, was explaining

• wasn't listening, explained

• didn't listen, explained

Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.

"She _______ (add) more salt to the soup and then it _______ (taste) much better."

• added, tasted

• added, was tasting

• was adding, was tasting

• was adding, tasted