Past Continuous vs Past Simple exercises
Practise with the song. Listen to Remi and type the missing words, then choose the right form. The answers and explanations are at the bottom.
past continuous (was / were + -ing)
In progress back then, the background
“I was cooking pasta in my tiny flat at eight…”
Past simple
Short and finished, what happened
“…when the doorbell rang!”
Step 1
Hear it, then type it
This exercise uses the song itself, so it opens when the song is out on Fri 2 Oct, 16:00 UK.
Step 2
Choose the right form
Going on back then, or short and finished? Choose the most natural form.
1.I pasta in my tiny flat at eight, when the doorbell rang.
2.I was cooking pasta at eight, when the doorbell .
3.We a new series on the sofa when the power went off.
4.While I home, my phone was ringing in my bag.
5.I parked the car, I back, and it was only Dad!
6.While you , I was working on my plan.
7.The sun and people were sitting in the square.
8.Then you my hand and we walked out through the crowd!
0 of 8 answered
Answers
Choose the right form
- I was cooking pasta in my tiny flat at eight, when the doorbell rang.The longer action, already going on: past continuous.
- I was cooking pasta at eight, when the doorbell rang.The short action that interrupts it: past simple.
- We were watching a new series on the sofa when the power went off.In progress when something happened: were + -ing.
- While I was driving home, my phone was ringing in my bag.“While” + the action in progress: past continuous.
- I parked the car, I called back, and it was only Dad!One finished action after another, the story: past simple.
- While you were sleeping, I was working on my plan.Two things going on at the same time: past continuous for both.
- The sun was shining and people were sitting in the square.Setting the scene, the background: past continuous.
- Then you took my hand and we walked out through the crowd!A short, finished action in the story: past simple.
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