Past simple vs past continuous

1. Tom and his friends decided to go camping.

• Past Simple

• Past Continuous

1. Lisa was preparing lunch when she heard a noise.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

1. The sun was shining brightly when they arrived.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

1. They saw a cabin in the distance.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

1. While they were hiking, it started to rain.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

1. The old man offered them hot tea.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

1. The tent fell over because of the wind.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

1. They were laughing as they fixed the tent.

• Past simple

• Past continuous

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb (past simple or past continuous).

1. While Tom __________ (set up) the tent, Lisa __________ (cut) vegetables.

Answer explanation

Both actions were happening at the same time.

It __________ (start) to rain while they __________ (hike).​ (a)   ​ (b)  

• Started
• were hiking
• was starting
• hikked

Answer explanation

The action of hiking was ongoing when the rain started. The rain interrupted the hiking.