Past Simple vs. Past Continuous Exercises.

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous Exercises.

Упражнение 1.  Choose the correct verb form (Past Simple or Past Continuous) to complete the sentences.

1.    The film was rubbish, so we left / were leaving the cinema and went / were going to the cybercafé.

2.    I didn’t like / wasn’t liking the program we watched / were watching, so I turned / was turning off the TV.

3.    Dave rang / was ringing me while I did / was doing my homework.

4.    As I fell / was falling asleep, I heard/was hearing a strange noise.

5.    I dropped / was dropping my keys while I ran / was running for the bus.

6.    The competition judges didn’t know / weren’t knowing whose food they tasted / were tasting.

Упражнение 2. Complete the email with the Past Simple or Past Continuous of these verbs. You will need to use some verbs more than once.

Decide /   get  / give  / go  /  happen  / not hurt  / play  / try / want

Last weekend Ben and I visited that new leisure center that everyone is talking about. We 1) ___________ to the ice-skating rink first. Ben slipped a few times while he 2) ___________ to do acrobatic tricks, but luckily he 3) ___________ himself. After that, we went to the main hall to see what 4) __________ there. On one side of the hall a rock band 5) __________ while on the other side some skateboarders 6) ____________ a display. The Skateboarders were fantastic so we 7) ___________ to stay and watch them.

After the exhibition, we both 8) __________ to go to the shops inside the center. But it was nearly rush hour and the shops 9) ___________ really crowded so we 10) ____________ to the multiplex cinema to see The Illusionist. What a fantastic film!

Упражнение 3. Match the beginnings (1-7) with the endings (a-g). Then complete the sentences with the past simple or past continuous of the verbs in brackets.

1. He ___________ (climb) down the side of a building

2. The sun _________ (shine) brightly

3. The hot water tank _________ (explode)

4. When we _________ (get) to the concert

5. I _________ (not know) that my friends

6. While you _________ (lie) on the beach

7. Last year, Simon _________ (give up) painting

a) while I __________ (have) a shower.

b) the band ___________ (play) my favourite song.

c) when suddenly the rope _________ (break).

d) and __________ (take up) sculpture instead.

e) ___________ (prepare) a surprise party for me.

f) when I __________ (get up) this morning.

g) we ___________ (study) for our exams!

Упражнение 4. Вставьте Past Simple или Past Continuous

1.    An amazing display of traditional-style canoes ____ last week in Portland (to begin).

2.    Last month, we ________ the most amazing opportunity to head down to Nashville (to have).

3.    These ladies__________ an apartment when they ____ both _______ English in Jakarta, Indonesia (to share, to teach).

4.    Last year we________ too tired even to make quality home design (to be).

5.    While the tourists __________ at the beach, animators __________ coffee in the bar (to dance, to have).

6.    Last time there ________ a snowfall in November in 2016 (to be).

7.    A Qatari sheikh ________ more than £1billion on his art collection last year (to spend).

8.    The hot-blooded and furious Tybalt ________ a grudge against Romeo (to bear).

9.    While we __________ to a dive site we __________ the advantages of Utila, the smallest and most unspoiled of the Bay Islands of Honduras (to boat, to discuss).

10. In the late 1600s, the British ________ all non-English ships from trading with colonies (to forbid).

11. We ________ busy building our new country house that year (to be).

12. Our friend’s dog __________ us as we__________ around the neighborhood (to follow, to walk).

13. The student __________ up the escalator while it __________ (to run, to move).