past simple past progrssive practice for efl pupils

Past simple\past progressive

Diana Dikis

• Two days ago, a murder (happened\was happening) in Market Street at about seven pm.

• I (was jogging/jogged) in the park, when two squirrels (were crossing\ crossed) my way.

• While she (spoke\was speaking) on the phone, the milk (boiled\was boiling) over.

• When I (left\was leaving) the house this morning, the sun (shined\was shinning) .

• Robert (fell\was falling) off the ladder when he (was picking\ picked) cherries.

• When we (traveled\were traveling) around Ireland, we (met\were meeting) some very nice people.

• Archimedes (discovered\was discovering) the theory of buoyancy while he (take) a bath.

• yesterday, two people (were arguing\argued) in the hallway.

• I (watched\was watching) a football match on TV last night.

• Yesterday, Sherlock Holmes (arrived\was arriving) at the crime scene to investigate.

• While we ________(do) a sight-seeing tour, our friends ________(lie) on the beach.

• While Tom ________(read) , Dana________ (watch) a documentary on TV.

• He ________(wake) up and ________ (look) at his watch.

• Marvin ________(come) home, ________(switch) on the computer and ________(check) his emails.

• The thief ________(sneak) into the house, ________(steal) the jewels and ________(leave) without a trace.

• Nobody ________(listen) while the teacher ________ (explain) the tenses.

• The receptionist ________ (welcome) the guests and ________ (ask) them to fill in the form.

• My father ________ (come) in, ________ (look) around and________ (tell) me to tidy up my room.

• The boys ________ (swim) while the girls ________ (sunbathe) .

• The car________ (break) down and we________ (have) to walk home.