Grade 10: Past Simple Vs Past Continuous Review

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

When, while, as

​What happened?

• ​I cut myself while I was peeling a carrot.

• ​While I was peeling a carrot, I cut myself.

​What happened?

• ​I burnt my toaster while I was making breakfast.

• ​While I was making breakfast, I burnt my toaster.

​What happened?

• ​It was raining when the cars crashed.​

• ​When the cars crashed, it was raining.

​What happened?

• ​He was watching the game when he fell off the chair.​

• ​When he fell off the chair, he was watching the game.

Pay attention! When -part of the sentence is Past Simple.

Longer actions or interrupted actions are Past Continuous.

Again, we can see that when-clause is Past Simple.

While/As

These words have the same meaning. Look at the picture.

While I was waiting for my parents, it started to rain.

(While/As = longer action)

Multiple Choice

While Tom (play) _____________the piano, his mother (do) _____________ the washing-up. 

• Played | Was doing
• Was playing | Did

Multiple Choice

Sophie was eating his breakfast when a bird ................... into the kitchen.

• flew

• was flying

Multiple Choice

What were you doing when I saw you in town yesterday?

• I was looking for some new jeans.

• I looked for some new jeans.

Multiple Choice

Dad was drinking coffee when I...……………… home.

• was coming

• came

Multiple Choice

Why .......................................................... when I came into the room?

• she was crying
• was she crying
• were she crying

Multiple Choice

The kids ...............................................when I entered their bedroom. 

• wasn't sleeping
• didn't slept
• weren't sleeping

Multiple Choice

Who ............................................to when I .............................you in the park?

• were you talking / saw

• was you talking / saw

• talking / saw

Multiple Choice

They ....................................very fast when the car hit the tree. 

• was driving
• were driving
• drove

Multiple Choice

I .............................home when I met my old friend from primary school. 

• walked
• was walking 
• was coming

Multiple Choice

When I got to work, I realised that I ___ my watch.

• was not wearing

• were not wearing

Multiple Choice

The police stopped Willis as ___ to the airport.

• he is driving

• he was driving

Multiple Choice

I ________ (sit) in a cafe when you ________(call)

• was sitting / called

• sit / were calling

Multiple Choice

Susie _________(watch) a film when she______ (hear) the noise.

• watched / heard

• watched / was hearing

• was watching/ heard

Multiple Choice

Tina ....................................when she fell and hurt her leg.

• were dancing

• danced

• was dancing

Multiple Choice

I ....... an accident while I ...............

• was having / was cycling

• had / was cycling

• have / was cycling

• has / was cycling

Multiple Choice

He broke his arm_____________ he was playing rugby.

• WHILE

• WHEN

Multiple Choice

______ I was watching TV someone knocked the door.

• WHEN

• WHILE

Multiple Choice

I was walking home _______ I saw Steve.

• WHEN

• WHILE

Multiple Choice

______ my brother was studying I was washing the dishes.

• WHEN

• WHILE

Multiple Choice

His smartphone rang ______ he was watching TV.

• WHEN

• WHILE

Multiple Choice

I ______(have) dinner while my mother ______(talk) on the phone.

• were having / was talking

• was haveing/ was talking

• had / was talking

• had / talked

Multiple Choice

It ______ (rain) when we ______ (come) out of the shopping centre.

• was raining / came

• rained / were coming

Multiple Choice

I ........................... (sleep) while the children ....................... (play) football in the garden.

• slept / was playing

• was sleeping / played

• slept / were playing

• slept / played

Multiple Choice

When the teacher ______(come) in, they ______ (study) English.

• came / were studying

• was coming / studyed

• came / were studing

Multiple Choice

While I .....................................the bathroom, he .....................................TV ! 

• was cleaning / watched

• cleaned / was watching

• was cleaning / was watching 

Multiple Choice

He .......................................... the glass while he ............................................the washing up. 

• was dropping / did

• dropped / did

• dropped / was doing 

Multiple Choice

While I __ T.V., the doorbell __

• was watching, was ringing

• was watching, rang

• watched, was ringing

• watched, rang

Multiple Choice

As I ______ (drive) to work last Friday, all of a sudden a car stopped in front of me.

• drove

• drive

• was driving

• were driving

Multiple Choice

While I was on holiday last year, I __________ my bike every day.

• ride

• was riding

• rode

• was ridden