Past simple and past continuous

Past simple and past continuous

by Sam Thomas

Multiple Choice

My parents ___ in 1983.

• met

• were meeting

• were met

Multiple Choice

They ___ married in 1984.

• were getting

• got

• were gotten

Multiple Choice

My brother ___ born in 1987.

• was

• was being

• got

Multiple Choice

My grandfather wrote my grandmother a letter every day while he was away.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Multiple Choice

My grandmother was born in the 1930s.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Multiple Choice

He studied hard all through university to become a doctor.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Multiple Choice

She came in, saw the puppy, and screamed with delight.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Multiple Choice

He ate a pack of Oreos every day until his favorite shirt didn't fit anymore.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Multiple Choice

We watched that show every Saturday night until it was cancelled.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Multiple Choice

He drove her home, waited until she unlocked the gate, said good night, and drove away.

• single action in the past

• series of actions in the past

• habitual action in the past

Fill in the Blank

At 9:15, Sarah ___ cards. (play)

Fill in the Blank

At 10:30, Fred and Alice ___. (dance)

Fill in the Blank

At 8:20, Keith ___. (cook)

Fill in the Blank

At 7:50, Mary ___ home. (drive)

Fill in the Blank

At 11:00, Oliver ____ TV. (not watch)

Multiple Choice

At 6:15, when you phoned, I ___ a shower.

• had

• was having

Multiple Choice

We ___ TV all evening.

• watched

• were watching

Multiple Choice

Bill ___ TV when Anne came in.

• watched

• was watching

Multiple Choice

My father ___ hard all his life.

• worked

• was working

Multiple Choice

They got married while they ___ at London University.

• studied

• were studying

Multiple Choice

Yesterday we ___ from Oxford to Edinburgh and back.

• drove

• were driving

Multiple Choice

It was a nice evening, so she __ home from work.

• walked

• was walking

Fill in the Blank

"When I called her, she ___(sleep), so she didn't answer."

Fill in the Blank

I was watching a movie when the power___ (go out).

Fill in the Blank

The police caught him when he ____ (shoplift).

Fill in the Blank

When I went into Ann's office, she ___ (to write).

Fill in the Blank

It started to rain while we ___ (play football). We kept playing anyways.