Past Simple vs Past Continuous

We _____ (play) with John when he hurt his ankle.

• Played - past simple

• Were playing - Past continuous

Answer explanation

Despise de WHEN --> past simple

Antes de WHEN --> past continuous

While we ____ (play) football, John hurt his ankle

• Were playing - Past continuous

• Played - Past simple

Answer explanation

Después de WHILE --> past continuous

When the phone rang, he ____ (take) a shower

• Took - past simple

• Was taking - Past continuous

Answer explanation

Después de WHEN --> past simple (ring / rang)

Entonces tras la coma, como ya hemos puesto el past simple, tenemos que poner el continuo:

Cuando el teléfono sonó (simple), él estaba duchándose (continuo)

While he was taking a shower, the phone ____ (ring)

• Was ringing - past continuous

• Rang - past simple

Answer explanation

Mientras él estaba duchándose, el teléfono sonó (past simple)

While I _____ (sit) in a coffee, you called.

• Was sitting - Past Continuous

• Sat - Past simple

I was sitting in a coffee when you _____ (call)

• Called - Past simple

• Were calling - Past continuous

Susie was watching a film when she ____ (hear) a noise

• Was hearing - Past continuous

• Heard - Past simple

While Susie _____ (watch) a film, she heard a noise.

• Was watching - Past continuous

• Watched - Past simple