Past Simple vs Past Continuous

I ______ someone famous yesterday

• saw

• was seeing

Answer explanation

For actions which happened in the past.  We also often say when the action happened.

I _______ in London then.

• lives

• was living

Answer explanation

actions in progress at a time in the past

He ______ his holidays in Italy when he _____ young.

• spent / was

• was spending / was being

Answer explanation

past habits or states

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sun ______ and we ______ in the garden.

• shone / played

• was shining / were playing

Answer explanation

two or more actions happening at the same time in the past

I saw a lovely dog as I _______ to class earlier today.

• walked

• was walking

Answer explanation

past action in progress when another action interrupted it

It ______ when I ______ my bedroom curtains this morning.

• snowed / opened

• was snowing / was opening

• was snowing / opened

• snowed / was opening

Anna ______ her leg while she ________ in Austria.

• broke / skied

• was breaking / was skiing

• was breaking / skied

• broke / was skiing

I _______ the glass and it ______ on the floor

• dropped / broke

• was dropping / was breaking

• was dropping / broke

• dropped / was breaking

When I ______ young. I _______ playing with my toys.

• was / loved

• was being / was loving

• was being / loved

• was / was loving

We ______ a party last night.

• had

• were having