Exercises

Unit 6 · Past continuous (I was doing)

6.1

Complete the sentences. Choose from:

was looking•wasn’t listening•weren’t looking•was snowing•was working•were sitting•were you going

1Today Helen is wearing a skirt. Yesterday she was wearing trousers.(Example)

‘What did he say?’ ‘I don’t know. I

.’

at the back of the theatre. We couldn’t hear very well.

This time last year Steve

on a farm.

They didn’t see me. They

in my direction.

The weather was bad. It was very cold and it

I saw you in your car. Where

I saw Kate a few minutes ago. She

for you.

6.2

Which goes with which?

1When I got to the cafe

2We fell asleep

3Amy learnt Italian

4Tom didn’t come out with us

5The car began to make a strange noise

6The TV was on

7When I first met Jessica

1f(Example)

awhen she was living in Rome.

bshe was working in a clothes shop.

cwhen I was driving home.

dbut nobody was watching it.

ewhile we were watching a film.

fmy friends were waiting for me.

gbecause he wasn’t feeling well.

6.3

Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple

I saw Sue in town yesterday, but
she (not/see) me.
She (look) the other way

I (cycle) home yesterday
when a man (step) out into the
road in front of me.
I (go) quite fast, but luckily
I (manage) to stop in time,
and I (not/hit) him.

6.4

Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple

1Jenny was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).(Example)

‘What (you / do) at this time yesterday?’ ‘I was asleep.’

‘ (you / go) out last night?’ ‘No, I was too tired.’

How fast (you / drive) when the accident (happen)?

Sam (take) a picture of me while I (not / look).

We were in a very difficult position. We (not / know) what to do, so we (do) nothing.

I haven’t seen Alan for ages. When I last (see) him, he (try) to find a job.

I (walk) along the street when suddenly I (hear) something behind me. Somebody (follow) me. I was scared and I (start) to run.

When I was young, I (want) to be a pilot. Later I (change) my mind.

Last night I (drop) a plate when I (do) the washing up. Fortunately it (not / break). ➜ Additional exercise 1 (page 302)

Theory

Exercises

Unit 6 · Past continuous (I was doing)

6.1

Complete the sentences. Choose from:

was looking•wasn’t listening•weren’t looking•was snowing•was working•were sitting•were you going

1Today Helen is wearing a skirt. Yesterday she was wearing trousers.(Example)

‘What did he say?’ ‘I don’t know. I

.’

at the back of the theatre. We couldn’t hear very well.

This time last year Steve

on a farm.

They didn’t see me. They

in my direction.

The weather was bad. It was very cold and it

I saw you in your car. Where

I saw Kate a few minutes ago. She

for you.

6.2

Which goes with which?

1When I got to the cafe

2We fell asleep

3Amy learnt Italian

4Tom didn’t come out with us

5The car began to make a strange noise

6The TV was on

7When I first met Jessica

1f(Example)

awhen she was living in Rome.

bshe was working in a clothes shop.

cwhen I was driving home.

dbut nobody was watching it.

ewhile we were watching a film.

fmy friends were waiting for me.

gbecause he wasn’t feeling well.

6.3

Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple

I saw Sue in town yesterday, but
she (not/see) me.
She (look) the other way

I (cycle) home yesterday
when a man (step) out into the
road in front of me.
I (go) quite fast, but luckily
I (manage) to stop in time,
and I (not/hit) him.

6.4

Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple

1Jenny was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).(Example)

‘What (you / do) at this time yesterday?’ ‘I was asleep.’

‘ (you / go) out last night?’ ‘No, I was too tired.’

How fast (you / drive) when the accident (happen)?

Sam (take) a picture of me while I (not / look).

We were in a very difficult position. We (not / know) what to do, so we (do) nothing.

I haven’t seen Alan for ages. When I last (see) him, he (try) to find a job.

I (walk) along the street when suddenly I (hear) something behind me. Somebody (follow) me. I was scared and I (start) to run.

When I was young, I (want) to be a pilot. Later I (change) my mind.

Last night I (drop) a plate when I (do) the washing up. Fortunately it (not / break). ➜ Additional exercise 1 (page 302)