Past simple versus past continuous

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Past simple vs Past continuous

When professor Sneep ___ (to walk) to the front of the class, he ___ (to close) the shutters.

1. walked - closed
2. was walking - was closing
3. was walking - closed
4. walked - was closing

The bus suddenly ___ (to stop) when the old lady ___ (to walk) across the street.

1. stopped - walked
2. stopped - was walking
3. was stopping - was walking
4. was stopping - walked

When Harry ___ (to sit) down on the bed, his parents ___ (to dance) in the photograph.

1. was sitting - were dancing
2. sat - danced
3. was sitting - danced
4. sat - were dancing

As Harry ____ (to pick up) the crystal ball, a dementor ____ (to call) him.

1. picked up - was calling
2. picked up - called
3. was picking up - called
4. was picking up - was calling

A dementor ___ (to attack) Harry, while he ___ (to fly) on his broom.

1. attacked - flew
2. attacked - was flying
3. was attacking - was flying
4. was attacking - flew

Hermione ___ (to punch) Draco Malfoid in the nose when she ___ (to talk) to him.

1. punched - talked
2. was punching - was talking
3. punched - was talking
4. was punching - talked

If you look at the previous examples, when do you use the PAST SIMPLE tense?

1. for short actions in the past
2. for longer actions in the past
3. for background actions
4. for interrupting actions

If you look at the previous examples, when do you use the PAST CONTIUOUS tense?

1. For interrupting actions
2. for background actions
3. For short actions in the past
4. for long actions in the past