Worksheet 2

Grammar
Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Name No. Class

Date / / Teacher

1 Complete the blank spaces with the words given in the box below. Revise:
Student’s Book, p. 9
Study Guide, p. 14
middle * past simple * interrupting * past continuous

a. We use the when we talk about events and temporary states that were in progress
around a certain time in the past.

b. When we talk about events, states or habits at definite times in the past we use the .

c. When use these two tenses together, it shows us that the past simple action happened in the
of the past continuous action, while it was in progress.

d. We often use these tenses to show an action another action.

2 Complete the blank spaces with the correct verb tense: Past Simple / Past Continuous.

a. I (browse) the Internet while I (wait) for my doctor’s

appointment.

b. Greta (not be) at school when the protests began. She (be) at
The UN climate convention.

c. I (see) the wild fires burning out of control on TV.

d. Tom (wear) shaggy clothes and (have) a long beard

when he (be) at university.

e. It (start) snowing while I (walk) to school in the summer.

That (be) one weird summer.

3 Spot and correct the mistakes when necessary.

a. While I watched the talk show, my mother was deciding to vacuum the lounge.

b. When I was being younger, I didn’t care about the environment.

c. Many African water holes dried up due to the lack of rain caused by climate change.

d. What were you doing after you left the protest march?

e. What did you do at the UN climate conference last year?

 Worksheet 2
Grammar
ANSWER KEY

1. a. past continuous b. past simple c. middle

d. interrupting

2. a. was browsing; waited / was waiting b. wasn’t; was

c. saw d. wore; had; was e. started; was walking; was

3. a. While I was watching the talk show, my mother

decided to vacuum the lounge.
b. When I was
younger, I didn’t care about the environment.
c. correct
d. What did you do after you left the protest
march?
e. Correct.