Speaking: Past Simple and Past Continuous

Make sentences using the Past Simple and the Past Continuous

Look at the picture and say what was going on when it happened. Nothing is checked here - the task is for speaking.

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Rule: Past Continuous and Past Simple ShowHide

Past Continuous

was / were + -ing – an action in progress at a moment in the past.

At eight o'clock we were watching a film.
It wasn't raining.
Were your parents watching TV?

Past Simple

A short, finished action, or one action after another.

The doorbell rang.
Jill got up and had breakfast.

Together

A longer action (Past Continuous) is interrupted by a short one (Past Simple).

when + Past Simple: I was doing my homework when the doorbell rang.
while + Past Continuous: While Steve was driving, his phone rang.
Two long actions at the same time: While Mum was cooking, Dad was reading.

was with I / he / she / it, were with you / we / they: The dog was chasing the cat. Kate and John were eating dinner.

Twenty scenes, one per page. In each of them something was going on when something else happened - say it in one sentence, and the two tenses will fall into place on their own.

Games on Past Continuous and Past Simple

Ready-made games on this topic. Open one on the board and play in teams.

Open the Box · 15 boxesPast Continuous and Past Simple team game (A2)A team game for A2: open a box and answer – Past Continuous and Past Simple.Play

Flashcards · 24 cardsPast Continuous and Past Simple practice (A2)Cards for A2: answer, then flip the card to check – Past Continuous and Past Simple.Play

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