Past Simple or Past Continuous?

A) Choose the correct form in these sentences

1. I met/was meeting a friend while I did/was doing the shopping2. She wore/was wearing a red hat.3. While we had/were having a drink, a waiter dropped/was dropping some plates.4. I paid/was paying for my things when someone called/was calling my name.5. We left/were leaving the caf and said/were saying goodbye.

B) Complete the sentences using the past simple or past continuous.

1. I television when the phone (watch/ring)2. Vicky a bath when the policeman (have, arrive)3. Matt his leg while he (break, ski)4. Becky out of the tree while she it (fall, climb)5. Steph to stay in because it was (decide, rain)

C) Look at these examples:Q. What were you doing when the police arrived?A. I was having my breakfast.

Q. What did you do when the police arrived?A. I answered their questions.

Now choose the best answer for each of these questions from the box below.

1. What were you doing before you watched the film? 2. What did you do when you saw the burglar? 3. What was he doing during the lesson? 4. What were they doing at the time of the robbery? 5. What did they do when the fire alarm rang? 6. What did he do when the policeman arrived?

A. I rang the police.B. I was watching the news.C. They were eating in a restaurant.D. They ran outside.E. He climbed out of the window.F. He was listening to the teacher.