English Exercises > past continuous exercises

Past Simple or Past Continuous




Downloadable worksheets:
Simple Past or Past Continuous?
Level: advanced
Age: 10-12
Downloads: 1601
 
PAST SIMPLE OR PAST CONTINUOUS? Grammar guide + reading, fill in the gaps, wh-questions.
Level: elementary
Age: 13-17
Downloads: 1513
 
"WHEN" OR "WHILE" (SIMPLE PAST TENSE-PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE)
Level: elementary
Age: 8-17
Downloads: 1520
 
PAST SIMPLE OR PAST CONTINUOUS
Level: elementary
Age: 12-14
Downloads: 1093
 
PAST PERFECT SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS?
Level: elementary
Age: 13-17
Downloads: 1033
 
Past continuous or past simple exercises (BW+the key)
Level: intermediate
Age: 12-14
Downloads: 989
 

Choose Past Simple or Past Continuous

Put the verbes between parentheses in the Past Simple or in the Past Continuous. If necessary, change the word order or insert words elsewhere in the sentence:
 
  1. Mr. Smith never (wake) up in time in the morning and always (get) into trouble for being late ; so one day he (go) to town and (buy) an alarm clock.
  2. Why you (interrupt) me just now ? I (have) a very interesting conversation with Mr. Brown.
  3. I (see) Sue in town yesterdag, but she (not / see) me. She (look) the other way.
  4. When I (look) through your books I (notice) that you have a copy of "The Satanic Verses".
  5. She said that she (not like) her present flat and (try) to find another.
  6. She said that she (be) on holiday. I (say) that I (hope) that she (enjoy) herself.
  7. I (just / write) a cheque when I (remember) that I (have) nothing in the bank.
  8. When I last (see) her, she (hurry) along the road to the station. I (ask) her where she (go) and she (say), "London", but I don't think she (speak) the truth because there (not be) any train for London at that time.
  9. I lit fire at 6 and it (burn) brightly when Tom (came) in at 7.
  10. When I arrived, she (have) dinner. She apologized for starting without me but said that she (always / dine) at 8 o'clock.
  11. It's strange that you (call) because I (just / think) about you.
  12. Sharon was in the room when John (tell) me what had happened, but she (not / hear) anything because she (not / listen).
  13. I (watch) a mystery movie on T.V. when the electricity (go) out. Now I'm never going to find out how it ends.
  14. We (be) in a very difficult position. We (not / know) what to do.
  15. The Titanic (cross) the Atlantic when it (strike) an iceberg.
  16. After I (find) the wallet full of money, I (immediately / go) to the Police and (turn) it in.
  17. The doctor (say)  that Tom was too sick to go to work and that he (need) to stay at home for a few days.
  18. John (arrive) at Susan's house at a little before 9 p.m., but she (not / be) there. She (study) at the library for her final examination in French.
  19. When I (come) home, Sandy was in the living room watching television. At this time yesterday, she (also / watch) television. That's all she ever does !
  20. While he (make ) a speech, the Prime Minister suddenly (faint). But someone (bring) him a glass of water, so after a few minutes he (rise) and (go) on with his speech.