Past Simple
Past Continuous
When/While
Past Simple or Past Continuous?
100

Andrew ____ (arrive) late at home.

Andrew arrived late at home.

100
Marta's teacher ____ (explain) the content for the test.
Marta's teacher was explaining the content for the test.
100
The doorbell rang ____ I was taking a shower.
The doorbell rang while I was taking a shower.
100
While she was cooking, her son ____ (break) a glass.
While she was cooking, her son broke a glass
200
Alice ____ (write) a letter to her boyfriend.
Alice wrote a letter to her boyfriend.
200
We ____ (travel) to the beach.
We were traveling to the beach.
200
I was waiting for the bus ____ the car passed by.
I was waiting for the bus when the car passed by.
200
When Jack arrived at the store, the doors ____ (close) down.
When Jack arrived at the store, the doors were closing down.
300
Yesterday I ____ (not have) dinner because I was sick.
Yesterday I didn't have dinner because I was sick.
300

_____ my favourite actor _________ (make) a movie?

Was my favorite actor making a movie?

300
____ the band was playing, they sang the song.
While the band was playing, they sang the song.
300
I _____ (listen) to my iPod, so I didn't hear the horn of the car.
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the horn of the car.
400

Alex ____ (find) a coin in the street. He _____ (spend) some candy from the shop with that money.

Alex found a coin in the street. He spent some candy form the shop with that money.

400

Paula and Andy ____ (play) cards.

Paula and Andy were playing cards.

400
I was finishing my makeup ____ my boyfriend was getting dressed.
I was finishing my makeup while my boyfriend was getting dressed.
400

Mary ____ (teach) John how to make a pie but he wasn't listening.

Mary taught John how to make a pie but he wasn't listening.

500

Jackie _____ (go) to Miami last month. She _______ (cry) a lot because she missed her family. 

Jackie went to Miami last month. She cried a lot because she missed her family. 

500

I ____ (read) a book while my sister _____ (listen) to music. 

I was reading a book while my sister was listening to music.

500
My brother fell down ____ he was running.
My brother fell down while he was running.
500

Karl ____ (have) a cup of coffee when Jack was having a shower.

Karl was having a cup of coffee when Jack was having a shower.

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