Past Simple or Past Continuous

Match the cases of Past Simple/Past Continuous usage to the examples.

Choose the correct answer. It ... (rain) heavily while I ran for the bus.

Choose the correct answer. It was a beautiful day. The sun ... (shine) and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Choose the correct answer. I ... (read) a book when she ... (send) me an SMS.

Choose the correct answer. ... (you/eat) lunch when the fire alarm ... (ring)?

Choose the correct answer. When you ... (call) last night, I was doing my homework.

Choose the correct answer. My friend ... (not/wait) for me when I arrived late.

Choose the correct answer. We ... (have) a picnic when it began to rain.

Choose the correct answer. What ... (you/do) when the dog ran into the room? - I jumped out of the window.

Choose the correct answer. While I was watching TV, someone ... (knock) on the window.

Choose the correct answer. I ... (have) a bath when the phone rang last night.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. John (write) a letter to Sarah a moment ago.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. I (break) my leg when I was skiing.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. I (run) to the bus stop but there was no bus.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. Kate (read) books all night long.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. I (play) a computer game when my phone rang.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. I (come) home at 11 p.m. yesterday.

Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Use the full form of the verbs. When I woke up this morning, it (rain).