Complete this text with either the past simple or the past continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

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English exercise "Past simple or continuous" created by felin (22-12-2005) with The test builder
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I (buy) a new alarm clock the other day in Taylor's the jewellers, when I actually (see) somebody shoplifting. I'd just finished paying for my clock and as I (turn) round, an elderly woman (slowly put) a silver plate into a bag that she (carry). Then she (walk) over to another part of the shop and (pick up) an expensive-looking watch a number of times. When she (think) that nobody (look), she (drop) it into the bag. Before I (have) a chance to tell the staff in the shop, she (notice) that I (watch) her and (hurry) out. Unfortunately for her, two police officers (walk) past just at that moment and she (run) straight into them.