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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #84585: Past Simple or Continuous
    > Other English exercises on the same topic: | Past [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Past simple or present perfect - Past tenses - Past simple (video) - Modal: may/might - Past simple or continuous - Placement test 1 - Adverbs and past tense - Choosing your past tense...
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Past Simple or Continuous


    PAST SIMPLE

    FORM : [VERB] + ed  OR  Irregular Verbs

    USE 1: Events in the past that are now finished

    Examples:

      • She washed her hands.
      • Last year, I travelled to Japan.
      • I slept well last night

    USE 2: Situation in the past

    Examples:

      • I lived in India for 6 years (I don't live there anymore).
      • He talked on the phone for ten minutes (He didn't talk anymore).

    USE 3: A series of actions in the past

    Examples:

      • He entered in classroom, smiled and started to teach the lesson.
      • He arrived from the airport at 9:00, checked into the hotel at 10:00, and met the others at 11:00.

    PAST CONTINUOUS

    FORM : [WAS / WERE] + Present Participle

    USE 1: Actions in progress (in the past)

    Examples:

      • I was listening  to music yesterday in the evening.
      • She was not driving the car.

    USE 2: Interrupted actions in progress (in the past)

      • John was waiting for us when we got off the boat.
      • When the phone rang, she was washing her hair.

    USE 3: Actions in progress at the same time (in the past) - Parallel Actions

      • You were listening while he was teaching.
      • I was reading a book and Sarah was reading a newspaper.

    USE 4: Repetition and Irritation with 'Always'

      • He was always coming late to class.
      • I was reading a book and Sarah was reading a newspaper.


    Choose the right answer!





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    English exercise "Past Simple or Continuous" created by anonyme with The test builder.
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    1. The children (play) when their father came home.

    2. James (take) a taxi to his hotel.

    3. He (see /not) the red light yesterday.

    4. Mary came to see me while I (do) my homework.

    5. He (tell) me to go home and rest.

    6. The old woman (be) trapped on the third floor when the fire engine arrived.

    7. She (listen) to the radio when the mail came.

    8. I dropped one glass while I (wash) the dishes.

    9. While the movie was playing, Tom (eat) popcorn.

    10. I (wake) up very early this morning.










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