Past Continuous

I fell down while I ... down the stairs.

• went

• was going

Answer explanation

➪ A shorter action in past simple (fell down) interrupted a longer action in past continuous that was in progress when the shorter action happened (was going down the stairs).

He ... very fast when the police stopped him.

• drove

• was driving

Answer explanation

➪ A shorter action in past simple (the police stopped him) interrupted a longer action in past continuous that was in progress when the shorter action happened (was driving very fast).

It ... when we left home.

• snowed

• was snowing

Answer explanation

➪ When we left home (shorter action) there was a longer action that was in progress (it was snowing).

I didn't answer your call because I ... .

• worked

• was working

Answer explanation

➪ There is a longer action (was working) which was in progress at the time when a shorter action (answer your call) did not happen.

This morning I ... and I made breakfast for everybody.

• was getting up

• got up

Answer explanation

➪ We use past simple for past completed actions that happened one after another, in chronological order. First I got up and then I made breakfast.

When I saw her, she ... a really nice purple dress.

• was wearing

• wore

Answer explanation

➪ There is a longer action (was wearing a dress) which was in progress when the shorter action (saw her) happened.

Last Saturday we got up late and we ... the train.

• missed

• were missing

Answer explanation

➪ We use the past simple for completed actions that happen in chronological order, one after the other. First we got up and later we missed the train.

I ... hello because you were walking very fast.

• didn't say

• wasn't saying

Answer explanation

➪ There was a longer action (you were walking very fast) that was in progress when a shorter action didn't happen (I didn't say hello).

I was sleeping happily when a loud noise ... .

• was waking me up

• woke me up

Answer explanation

➪ A shorter action in past simple (a noise woke me up) interrupted a longer action in past continuous (I was sleeping) which was in progress.

What ... when I called you last night?

• were you doing

• did you do

Answer explanation

➪ A shorter action in past simple (I called) interrupted a longer action in progress (were doing).