EVERYDAY ENGLISH 3 Student Worksheet

Module 4 Situation 3 Grammar Activity

Name:

Past Continuous vs. Past Simple

A Read the text.
 atty Pearl is a successful actress. While she was acting in a drama at the Starlight Theater last
P
night, something strange happened.
It was 7:00 p.m. Patty was getting ready for the play. While she was sitting in her dressing
room, she chatted with her assistant, Terry. Terry was folding Pattys blouses. Pattys young
daughter, Megan, was also in the dressing room. While Patty and Terry were talking, Megan
began trying on her mothers jewelry. Luckily for Megan, Patty didnt see what her daughter
was doing.
While all this was happening, a photographer came in. He explained that he was taking pictures
for a theater review about Pattys play. He asked if he could take a picture of Patty while she
was getting ready. Patty was just putting on her silk scarf when suddenly, there was a blackout.
It was pitch-black. Megan was scared and began to cry. Patty and Terry werent sure what to do.
They began calling for help. While they were shouting, the photographer quietly put Pattys
expensive jewelry into his pocket.

B Circle the correct form of the verbs to complete the sentences.

1. While the photographer was taking pictures, the lights out.
a. was going b. were going c. went

2. As Brian and Shirley dinner in a romantic restaurant, Brian proposed to Shirley.
a. had b. were having c. was having

3. While the robbers were leaving the store, the police them.
a. caught b. were catching c. was catching

4. While I in line, someone bumped into me.

a. stood b. were standing c. was standing

5. Peter signing the lease while Mary was chatting with the real estate agent.
a. finished b. were finishing c. was finishing

6. While the girls were trying on new blouses, their mother very tired and sat down.
a. was becoming b. became c. were becoming

7. As Lance was moving into his new apartment, the coffee table .
a. was breaking b. were breaking c. broke

8. The man called the police while the robbers the hardware store.
a. robbed b. were robbing c. was robbing

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EVERYDAY ENGLISH 3 Student Worksheet
Module 4 Situation 3 Grammar Activity
Name:

Past Continuous vs. Past Simple

C Complete the story with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the Past Continuous or
Past Simple.

SHOPPING MALL ROBBERY

While Linda and Martha 1 (shop) in the department store on Saturday

morning, Linda 2 (see) her friend Greta. While they
3
(chat), Linda 4
(introduce) Martha
to Greta. The three women began talking about the blouses on sale.
While they 5 (stand) there, a man in a black raincoat
6
(bump) into Greta. He stole her handbag and ran off. While Linda and
Martha 7 (shout) for help, Greta 8 (begin)
running after the robber.
There was another robber in the hardware store. Peter was standing in line, waiting to pay. While he
9
(give) his credit card to the cashier, a man grabbed it and ran out of the
store. At the same time, Brenda was in the jewelry store. While she 10 (try)
on jewelry, a woman 11 (steal) her expensive silk scarf. Brenda didnt discover
her scarf was gone until it was too late.
What happened a few minutes later? While the police were trying to catch the robbers, there
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(be) a blackout! Were more robbers stealing from people in the mall?

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