Past simple or past continuous

1.

She was having a shower when the phone rang.
As he was crossing the road, someone called his name.
They were having dinner when Mary arrived.
When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining and the
birds were singing.

2.

was having (have)
While he ______________
knocked
breakfast, the postman _____________
(knock) on the door.

3.

When we _____________
(get) home from
got
was making (make)
school, mum _________________
bread.

4.

slipped
He ______________
(slip) and fell while
were walking (walk) home.
they __________________

5.

I ___________________
(not/want) to
didn’t want
was reading
bother her because she _________________
(read) the newspaper.

6.

was boarding (board) the
While he ________________
dropped
plane, he accidentally _____________
(drop) his case.

7.

He _____________________
(cycle) downhill
was cycling
failed
when the brakes ______________
(fail).

8.

was having (have) a shower
Julie ________________
rang
when the telephone _____________
(ring).

9.

was fishing (fish) when he
John __________________
saw
______________
(see) a bear!

10.

was mending (mend) some
Daniel ________________
came
shoes when the customer ____________
(come) into the shop.

11.

were jogging (jog) in the park
They _________________
started
when it _________________
(start) to
rain.

12.

was doing
She __________________
(do) some
felt
exercises when she ______________
(feel) a pain in her chest.

13.

was walking (walk) the dog
He _________________
heard
when he _______________
(hear) the shot.

14.

was carrying (carry) the box
He _________________
tripped
when he _______________
(trip) and fell.

15.

was having (have) a swing
She ________________
broke
when the branch ______________
(break)

16.

was skiing
She ________________
(ski) when the
started
avalanche ______________
(start).

17.

were having
The children _____________________
(have)
a pillow fight when their mother
______________
(come) in the room.
came

18.

were playing (play) chess when
They _________________
came
the children _____________
(come) home.

19.

was talking (talk) on the phone
He _______________
arrived
when the boss _____________
(arrive).

20.

was wearing (wear) a pink
Wendy _________________
arrived
dress when they ______________
(arrive)
at the party.