UNIT 9 • LESSON A

AND B
 LESSON A: WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
• Grammar
• Past continuous statements
• You can use the past continuous to set the background for a story or talk about events in
• progress in the past (events that are not complete). The past continuous often describes a
• long action.
• Use the simple past for completed actions in the past. The simple past often describes a short
• action:
• I was talking to a woman, and I missed my stop. I wasn't paying attention.
• (I was still talking and not paying attention when I missed my stop.)
• We were trying to look cool, and we walked into a glass door. We weren't looking.
 • LESSON B: ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

• Past continuous questions You can use past continuous questions to ask
about background events or events in progress in the past. The past
continuous often describes a long action.
• Use simple past questions to ask about completed events and actions. The
simple past often describes a short action:
• Were you skiing with a friend?
• What were you doing when you fell? Did you hurt yourself?
• What did you do?