Function
The students packed their backpacks, turned off the classroom lights, and walked quietly out to the school bus.
series of completed action
Mr. Oscar _____ (drink) a cup of tea when I saw him yesterday.
1. forgive
2. choose
3. cut
forgave; chose; cut
I was doing my homework when my phone was ringing.
I was doing my homework when my phone rang.
While the teacher was explaining the project on the board, several students were taking notes in their notebooks.
simultaneous ongoing action
The window ____ (be) open and a bird _____ (fly) into the room.
was/ flew
1. grow
2. shake
3. blow
grew; shook; blew
While I was walking to class, I was dropping my binder on the floor.
While I was walking to class, I dropped my binder on the floor.
I was cooking dinner in the kitchen for my family when the power suddenly went out.
a longer continuous action interrupted by a short past action
It ____ (be) hard work carrying the bags. They ____ (be) very heavy.
was/were
1. ride
2. burn
3. bite
rode; burnt; bit
"She dropped her keys as she run to catch the bus."
She dropped her keys as she was running to catch the bus.
At 8:30 yesterday morning, the whole class was working quietly on their English reading assignment.
an action in progress at a specific time in the past
The hotel _____ (not be) very expensive. It _____ (not cost) very much.
was not; did not cost
1. abide
2. bind
3. burst
abode; bound; burst
They walked in the park while the sun was setting and the birds sang."
They were walking in the park while the sun was setting and the birds were singing. (Multiple continuous actions happening at the same time)
Soft music was playing on the radio, heavy rain was tapping against the bedroom window, and a warm candle was flickering on the desk.
establishing a background atmosphere in a story
She ____ (wash) clothes when her father ___ (leave) the house this morning.
She was washing clothes when her father left the house this morning.
1. feed
2. fight
3. hang
fed; fought; hung
When the smoke alarm sounded, everyone was panicking and running outside immediately.
When the smoke alarm sounded, everyone panicked and ran outside immediately (sequence of events in a quick time)