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WorksheetsPast simple vs past continuous
Total questions: 40
Worksheet time: 21mins
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
I _______ (hope) to go away this weekend, but my boss _______ (give) me some work that I have to finish by Monday.
was hoping, gave
hoped, was giving
was hoping, was giving
hoped, gave
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
While I _______ (live) in Paris, I _______ (spend) three hours a day travelling to and from work.
was living, was spending
was living, spent
lived, spent
lived, was spending
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
A friendly Swedish couple _______ (start) chatting to him as he _______ (check in) at the hotel reception.
started, was checking in
started, checked in
was starting, was checking in
was starting, checked in
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
I bumped into Mary last week. She _______ (look) a lot better than when I last _______ (see) her.
was looking, was seeing
was looking, saw
looked, seen
looked, was seeing
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
My boss _______ (come) into the office just as I _______ (show) everyone my holiday photos.
came, showed
was coming, showed
came, was showing
was coming, was showing
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
I _______ (play) badminton four times a week before I _______ (break) my ankle.
was playing, was breaking
play, was breaking
played, broke
was playing, broke
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
The smoke alarm _______ (go off) when he _______ (light) a cigarette under it.
went off, was lighting
was going, was lighting
went off, lit
was going, lit
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
I can't remember how to answer this question. I must confess that I _______ (not listen) while the teacher _______ (explain) it to us.
didn't listen, was explaining
wasn't listening, was explaining
wasn't listening, explained
didn't listen, explained
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
She _______ (add) more salt to the soup and then it _______ (taste) much better.
added, tasted
added, was tasting
was adding, was tasting
was adding, tasted
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
Although the television was on, I _______ (not watch) it. Instead I _______ (dream) about my holidays.
wasn't watching, dreamt
didn't watch, was dreaming
didn't watch, dreamt
wasn't watching, was dreaming
Choose the correct verb tenses to complete the sentences.
She _______ (push) open the door and _______ (run) into the room.
pushed, was running
was pushing, running
was pushing, ran
pushed, ran
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
I (a) (buy) a new alarm clock the other day in Taylor's the jewellers when I actually saw somebody shoplifting.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
I'd just finished paying for my clock and as I (a) (turn) around, an elderly woman was slowly putting a silver plate into a bag that she was carrying.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
After that, the elderly woman (a) (walk) over to another part of the shop and picked up an expensive-looking watch a number of times.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
When she thought that nobody (a) (look), the elderly woman dropped the watch into her bag.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
Before I had a chance to tell the staff in the shop, the elderly woman (a) (notice) my gaze.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
When the elderly woman realised that I (a) (watch) her at that moment, she hurried out.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
Unfortunately for the elderly woman, two police officers were walking by just at that moment and she (a) (run) straight into them.
Use the verb in orange to complete the sentence with past simple or past continuous.
The elderly woman dropped her bag and as she bumped into the officers, and the stolen watch (a) (fall) out of it.
I ......................my finger while I ..........................dinner.
cutted / was cooking
cut / cooked
cut / was cooking
I_________TV last night.
watch
watched
am watching
I _______ TV yesterday at 2 pm.
watch
watched
am watching
was watching
He ________ basketball yesterday.
don't play
doesn't play
didn't play
didn't played
He _______ late yesterday.
work
works
worked
working
Yesterday at 3 pm, I ________my homework
do
does
am doing
was doing
I was reading a book while my sister _______the piano.
was playing
were playing
played
While he _________, the phone rang.
was sleeping
were sleeping
sleep
He was watching TV when the lights _______.
went out
go out
were going out
A: I read a great book last week.
B: Really? Who _____it?
write
wrote
written
A: ____you_____ those books?
B: No, I didn't have enough money.
Do, buy
Does, buy
Did, buy
were going
goed
