Past Simple vs Past Continuous (Titanic)

The Titanic __________ across the Atlantic Ocean when it __________ an iceberg.

• The Titanic was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean when it struck an iceberg.

• The Titanic sailed across the Atlantic Ocean when it was striking an iceberg.

• The Titanic sailed across the Atlantic Ocean when it struck an iceberg.

Eva Hart __________ 7 years old when the accident __________.

• Eva Hart was being seven years old when the accident happened.

• Eva Hart was seven years old when the accident was happening.

• Eva Hart was seven years old when the accident happened.

Her mother __________ her up while she __________.

• Her mother was waking her up while she slept.

• Her mother woke her up while she was sleeping.

• Her mother was waking her up while she was sleeping.

Eva and her mother __________ into a lifeboat but her father __________ on The Titanic.

• Eva and her mother got into a lifeboat but her father stayed on the Titanic.

• Eva and her mother were getting into a lifeboat but her father was staying on the Titanic.

• Eva and her mother were getting into a lifeboat but her father stayed on the Titanic.

Eva __________ because her father was still on the ship.

• Eva cried because her father was still on the ship.

• Eva was crying because her father was still on the ship.

A string quartet __________ music when the ship ___________ into two pieces.

• A string quartet played music when the ship was breaking into two pieces.

• A string quartet was playing music when the ship was breaking into two pieces.

• A string quartet was playing music when the ship broke into two pieces.

More than 1,500 people __________ in the disaster.

• More than 1,500 people died in the disaster

• More than 1,500 were dying in the disaster.