Question

Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple or past continuous. Which is the longer action in each sentence?

1) As I …was doing… (do) the washing-up. I …broke… (break) a glass. «Doing the washing-up is the longer action».
2) We ….. (walk) in the woods when the storm …. (begin).
3) John …. (repair) his motor bike when his mother … (arrive).
4) I … (eat) my lunch when the phone …. (ring).
5) He … (ride) hic bicycle to school when he … (drop) his bag.
6) We …. (see) a bad accident as we … (drive) to the airport.
7) Tom …. (watch) the match when the TV … (break down).
8) We … (talk) when she …. (come) into the room.​

Answer 1

2. were walking/began

3. was repairing/arrived

4. was eating/rang

5. was riding/dropped

6. saw/were driving

7. was watching/broke down

8. were talking/came