Simple Past vs.

Past Progressive Practice

Simple Past Past Progressive

use with the action that interrupts use with the ongoing action
My husband called while I was making dinner.

Fill in the blanks with the correct tense (simple past or past progressive).

w as w atching rang
1. While I   TV, the doorbell  . (watch/ring)

finished started
2. Jack   his presentation when the fire alarm  .
(finish/start)

opened ran
3. Just as I   my front door, a cat   inside. (open/run)

telephoned w as eating
4. My mom   me while I   dinner. (telephone/eat)

w as w orking w itnessed
5. While I   to work, I   an accident. (walk/witness)

came did
6. When the mailman  , I   my exercises. (come/do)

w oke up rang
7. When I  , my alarm clock  . (wake up/ring)

phoned w as sitting
8. Peter   me while I   on the train. (phone/sit)

w as looking started
9. While I   out the window, it   to rain. (look/start)

left drove
10. As I   the building, a police car   through the
gate. (leave/drive)