[P5] Bk5B Ch. 5 & 6 - Grammar: When & While

_____________ she was talking on the phone, I was watching TV.

• While

• When

Answer explanation

We use "while" to link two continuous actions that happened in the same time at the past.

He was cancelling his flight ______ we called him.

• when

• while

Answer explanation

We use when to link a longer action and shorter action in the past.

I was overtaking a truck ________ I heard a loud thump.

• when

• while

What were you doing ______ I called you ?

• when

• while

We _________ (watch) a movie when the screen went black.

• watch

• watched

• have watched

• were watching

Answer explanation

We use past continous tense to talk about an action that continued for a period of time in the past.

We were complaining about the weather when the sun ________ (break) through the clouds.

• break

• broke

• has broken

• was breaking

While she ________ (pack) the bags, I was looking for our passports.

• pack

• packs

• packed

• was packing

Answer explanation

The Past Continuous is used to indicate that two actions were happening at the same time; hence parallel actions.

Sandra was washing the dishes when a plate _____________ (fall) off the shelf.

I was reading newspaper while she _____ (watch) her favourite film.

Look at the picture. Make a sentence using 'when' and the correct tense.