Past Simple or Past Continuous EXERCISE 1

We ____ breakfast when the doorbell ____.

• Had ; was ringing

• Were having ; rang

• Were having ; was ringing

John ____ a lot of nice people when he ____ in Canada.

• Met ; was working

• Met ; were working

• Was meeting ; worked

When they ____ the museum, it ____

• Leave ; was raining

• Were leaving ; rained

• Left ; was raining

The students ____ on their smartphones when the teacher ____ in.

• Chatted ; coming in

• Were chatting ; came

• Was chatting ; came

While the children ____ their parents ____ a film on TV.

• Were sleeping ; watched

• Slept ; were watching

• Slept ; was watching

Answer explanation

Also were sleeping ; were watching is correct as the actions were happening at the same time and don't influence or affect each other.

While Robert ____ a drink in the bar, his wife ____ tennis in the club.

• Was having ; played

• Drank ; was playing

• Were having ; played

Answer explanation

Also was having ; was playing is correct as the actions were happening at the same time and don't influence or affect each other.

While he ____ a shower, his puppies ____ their food.

• Took ; were eating

• Took ; was eating

• Was taking ; ate

Answer explanation

Also was taking ; were eating is correct as the actions were happening at the same time and don't influence or affect each other.

It ____ to rain while Emma ____ her flowers.

• Started ; was watering

• Was raining ; watered

• Was raining ; were watering

Jane ____ a noise while she ____ to her friend.

• Was hearing ; talked

• Heard ; were talking

• Heard ; was talking

When I ____ the door, the sun ____

• Opened ; were shining

• Opened ; was shining

• Was opening ; shone