TEACHER'S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S When and While

Activity Type Introduction

Reading and writing In this when and while worksheet, students learn and practice
exercises three rules associated with using 'when' and 'while' with the past
simple and past continuous.

Focus Procedure
When and while
Students begin by completing two grammar rules and examples
Past simple and past for using the past simple and past continuous with 'when' and
continuous 'while'.

Exercise A - Answer key

Aim 1. when 2. while
To learn and practice
three rules associated Students then underline the correct past tenses in a set of
with using 'when' sentences using the two rules.
and 'while' with the
Exercise B - Answer key
past simple and past
continuous. 1. was walking / started 5. were working / went
2. were eating / rang 6. was texting / was talking
3. was doing / was making 7. was sleeping / were watching
Preparation 4. were playing / heard 8. was cleaning / fell
Make one copy of the
two-page worksheet for Next, students complete a short story with verbs in brackets in
each student. their past simple or past continuous form using the rules.

Exercise C - Answer key

Level 1. was finishing 5. was cutting 9. were cleaning
Pre-intermediate (A2) 2. heard 6. was doing 10. called
3. went 7. apologized 11. was listening
4. saw 8. helped 12. was preparing
Time
After that, students are introduced to another rule for using
30 minutes when and while. The students then indicate whether they can use
'when', 'while' or 'both' as the missing word in each sentence.

Exercise D - Answer key

1. when 2. both 3. when 4. both 5. both 6. when

Finally, students complete sentences with their own ideas using

the grammar rules from the second page.

Exercise E - Answer key

1. when + past simple 7. when + past simple

2. when/while + past continuous 8. when + past simple
3. when/while + past continuous 9. past continuous
4. when + past simple 10. when + past simple
5. when/while + past continuous 11. when + past simple
6. when/while + past continuous 12. past continuous

Note: This resource can be edited using a PDF editor.

Teach-This.com © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.

 PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S When and While

A. Complete the two grammar rules and examples for using the past simple and past
continuous with 'when' and 'while'.

1. ................. is used when you have a past continuous action followed by a past simple
action. The past simple action often interrupts the continuous one.

Example: I was watching a film ................. the phone rang.

2. ................. is used for two past continuous actions that happen at the same time.

Example: I was watching a film ................. my brother was talking on the phone.

B. Using the two rules, underline the correct past tenses in each sentence.

1. Anna walked / was walking in the park when it started / was starting to rain.

2. We ate / were eating lunch when the doorbell rang / was ringing.

3. I did / was doing my homework while my mum made / was making dinner.

4. The children played / were playing cards when they heard / were hearing a scream.

5. We worked / were working when the fire alarm went / was going off.

6. Sheila texted / was texting her friend while her mum talked / was talking to her.

7. Amelia slept / was sleeping while her parents watched / were watching TV.

8. I cleaned / was cleaning the floor when the vase fell / was falling off the table.

C. Following the rules above, complete the story with the verbs in brackets in their
past simple or past continuous form.

Yesterday, I (1) ......................... (finish) my English homework

in my bedroom when I (2) ......................... (hear) a loud crash.

I (3) ......................... (go) outside and (4) .........................

(see) tree branches and leaves everywhere. It turned out my

neighbour (5) ......................... (cut) down his tree while I

(6) ......................... (do) my homework. He (7) ......................... (apologize) to me and

then I (8) ......................... (help) him clean up the mess. We (9) ......................... (clean)

when my mum (10) ......................... (call) me in for dinner. She didn't hear the loud noise

because she (11) ......................... (listen) to music on her headphones while she

(12) ......................... (prepare) dinner.

Teach-This.com © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.

 PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S When and While

Both 'when' and 'while' can also be used when you have a past simple action that
comes before a past continuous action.

Example: He lost his wallet when/while we were shopping.

Remember, if you have a past continuous action followed by a past simple action, you
can only use 'when'.

Examples: We were shopping when he lost his wallet. (right)

We were shopping while he lost his wallet. (wrong)

D. Using the two rules above, indicate whether you can use 'when', 'while' or 'both'
as the missing word in each sentence.

1. I was washing my hair ............... the power went out. when / while / both

2. I hurt my back ............... I was lifting the piano. when / while / both

3. She was setting the table ............... she dropped the fork. when / while / both

4. The school bus arrived ............... I was talking to my friend. when / while / both

5. Tim broke his leg ............... he was snowboarding. when / while / both

6. I was taking a photo ............... the accident happened. when / while / both

E. Complete the sentences with your own ideas using the grammar rules above.

1. I was listening to the radio .........................................................................................

2. It started to rain .......................................................................................................

3. Someone knocked the door ........................................................................................

4. She was cooking dinner .............................................................................................

5. The girl cut her finger ................................................................................................

6. My computer crashed ................................................................................................

7. I was playing video games .........................................................................................

8. He was doing the laundry ..........................................................................................

9. I heard a loud noise while ..........................................................................................

10. I was playing football ..............................................................................................

11. I was driving to work ...............................................................................................

12. Someone stole my bag when ....................................................................................

Teach-This.com © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.