Mixed Past Simple and Past Continuous (Set 3)

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in either the Past Simple or Past Continuous.

1. I __________ (read) a book when I __________ (hear) a strange noise outside.
2. They __________ (not/work) in the garden when it __________ (start) to rain.
3. She __________ (drive) home when her car __________ (break) down.
4. We __________ (talk) about the project when the manager __________ (come) in.
5. He __________ (not/listen) because he __________ (think) about something else.
6. __________ (you/watch) TV when the power __________ (go) out?
7. I __________ (meet) him while I __________ (wait) for the bus.
8. The teacher __________ (explain) the lesson when someone __________ (knock) on the door.
9. They __________ (build) a snowman when the sun __________ (come) out.
10. While I __________ (look) for my phone, I __________ (find) my old watch.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

Choose the correct form (Past Simple or Past Continuous) to complete the sentences.

1. I __________ (was cooking, cooked) dinner when the fire alarm __________ (went, was going) off.
2. They __________ (played, were playing) chess when I __________ (arrived, was arriving).
3. He __________ (was talking, talked) on the phone when the cat __________ (jumped, was jumping) on the table.
4. While we __________ (were hiking, hiked), we __________ (saw, were seeing) a beautiful waterfall.
5. __________ (Was, Were) you driving when I __________ (called, was calling) you?
6. They __________ (weren’t paying, didn’t pay) attention while the teacher __________ (was explaining, explained) the task.
7. She __________ (did, was doing) her homework when her friend __________ (visited, was visiting) her.
8. We __________ (weren’t playing, didn’t play) football because it __________ (was raining, rained).
9. He __________ (was taking, took) a shower when the doorbell __________ (rang, was ringing).
10. The children __________ (were singing, sang) a song when the parents __________ (came, were coming) home.

Exercise 3: Correct or Incorrect?

Read the sentences below and decide if they are correct or incorrect. If incorrect, rewrite the sentence using the correct form of the verb.

1. I was read a book when the light went out.
2. She didn’t heard me because she was listening to music.
3. The phone rang while I was watched TV.
4. He found his keys while he was looking for his wallet.
5. They was playing outside when I arrived.
6. We wasn’t talking about the new plan when the director came.
7. She was swimming when she felt a cramp in her leg.
8. I didn’t called you because I was working.
9. They wasn’t paying attention when the teacher spoke.
10. He was walking home when it start to rain.

Exercise 4: Complete the Sentences

Complete each sentence with your own ideas using the Past Simple or Past Continuous.

1. I __________ (drive) to the store when __________.
2. They __________ (not/finish) their homework because __________.
3. While I __________ (read) the book, __________.
4. He __________ (run) in the park when __________.
5. We __________ (sit) at the cafe when __________.
6. She __________ (talk) on the phone when __________.
7. They __________ (not/notice) the sign because __________.
8. I __________ (listen) to the teacher when __________.
9. The baby __________ (cry) when __________.
10. He __________ (leave) the house when __________.

Exercise 5: Match the Sentences

Match each sentence beginning (1-5) with its appropriate ending (A-E). Use the correct verb form for each pair.

1. While I __________ (A)
2. She __________ (B)
3. The children __________ (C)
4. We __________ (D)
5. They __________ (E)

A) __________ (run) when she __________ (fall) down.
B) __________ (watch) TV when her phone __________ (ring).
C) __________ (play) in the garden when it __________ (start) to rain.
D) __________ (talk) about the meeting when the boss __________ (interrupt) us.
E) __________ (drive) to the airport when they __________ (get) lost.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. was reading, heard
2. weren’t working, started
3. was driving, broke
4. were talking, came
5. wasn’t listening, was thinking
6. Were you watching, went
7. met, was waiting
8. was explaining, knocked
9. were building, came
10. was looking, found

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

1. was cooking, went
2. were playing, arrived
3. was talking, jumped
4. were hiking, saw
5. Were, called
6. weren’t paying, was explaining
7. was doing, visited
8. weren’t playing, was raining
9. was taking, rang
10. were singing, came

Exercise 3: Correct or Incorrect?

1. Incorrect → I was reading a book when the light went out.
2. Incorrect → She didn’t hear me because she was listening to music.
3. Incorrect → The phone rang while I was watching TV.
4. Correct
5. Incorrect → They were playing outside when I arrived.
6. Incorrect → We weren’t talking about the new plan when the director came.
7. Correct
8. Incorrect → I didn’t call you because I was working.
9. Incorrect → They weren’t paying attention when the teacher spoke.
10. Incorrect → He was walking home when it started to rain.

Exercise 4: Complete the Sentences
(Sample answers)

1. I was driving to the store when I saw an accident.
2. They didn’t finish their homework because they were too tired.
3. While I was reading the book, the phone rang.
4. He was running in the park when he tripped over a rock.
5. We were sitting at the cafe when it started to snow.
6. She was talking on the phone when her boss entered.
7. They didn’t notice the sign because they were looking at their phones.
8. I was listening to the teacher when someone knocked on the door.
9. The baby was crying when her mother picked her up.
10. He was leaving the house when he remembered his keys.

Exercise 5: Match the Sentences

1. While I was running, she fell down.
2. She was watching TV when her phone rang.
3. The children were playing in the garden when it started to rain.
4. We were talking about the meeting when the boss interrupted us.
5. They were driving to the airport when they got lost.