Past Simple VS Past Continues

EX 1

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Progressive).

1. While Tom (read) , Amely (watch)  a documentary on TV.
2. Marvin (come)  home, (switch)  on the computer and (check)  his emails.
3. The thief (sneak)  into the house, (steal)  the jewels and (leave)  without a trace.
4. Nobody (listen)  while the teacher (explain)  the tenses.
5. While we (do)  a sight-seeing tour, our friends (lie)  on the beach.
6. He (wake)  up and (look)  at his watch.
7. The receptionist (welcome)  the guests and (ask)  them to fill in the form.
8. The car (break)  down and we (have)  to walk home.
9. The boys (swim)  while the girls (sunbathe) .
10. My father (come)  in, (look)  around and (tell)  me to tidy up my room.
11. As long as one group (prepare)  dinner, the others (collect)  wood for their campfire.
12. While the parents (have)  breakfast, their children (run)  about.
13. Martha (turn)  off the lights and (go)  to bed.
14. We (wait)  for Jane, when suddenly Louis (come)  around the corner.
15. I (cycle)  through the park, when I (hear)  a strange noise.
16. He (pass)  her a message when the teacher (look / not) .
17. I (fall)  asleep while I (watch)  TV last night.
18. When Mike and Jane (paint)  the walls, their dog (knock)  over the paint pot.
19. Tom (break)  his leg when he (play)  frisbee.
20. The phone (ring)  when I (sit)  on the toilet.