Past Continuous · Exercises

B1Intermediate practice

when and while, interrupted actions and story backgrounds.

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What you’ll practise at B1

was / were + -ing
Spelling: making, running, lying
Negatives: wasn’t / weren’t
Questions: Were you…?
Short answers: Yes, I was / No, they weren’t
What were you doing? (wh- questions)
At a time in the past (at 8 pm yesterday)
Interrupted actions: when + past simple
while and background in stories
Past continuous or past simple?
State verbs (knew, wanted…)
Timelines: what the tense means

Need a refresher? Learn the past continuous: rules, tables and audio examples.

Sample exercises

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Complete the answer.
What were Hiro and Ali doing at this time yesterday? — They _____ (set) up the tent.
setting · were set · were setting · are setting
Show answer
What were Hiro and Ali doing at this time yesterday? — They were setting up the tent.
To say what was in progress at a moment in the past, use the past continuous: was / were + -ing.
Is this sentence correct?
Hannah weren't applying for a new job.
Correct · Has a mistake
Show answer
Hannah wasn't applying for a new job.
“weren't” should be “wasn't”. Negative: was not (wasn't) + -ing. Hannah wasn't applying for a new job.
Put the words in order to make a question.
what / Maya / was / practising
Show answer
What was Maya practising?
Wh- questions: question word + was / were + subject + -ing? What were you doing?
Past simple or past continuous?
When someone knocked on the door, Raj and Mia _____ (open) it.
opened · open · were open · were opening
Show answer
When someone knocked on the door, Raj and Mia opened it.
An immediate reaction to an event is a completed action: past simple (When the phone rang, she answered it).
Choose the correct question.
Which sentence is correct?
What Max and Nadia were checking? · What were Max and Nadia checking? · What were Max and Nadia check? · What did Max and Nadia checking?
Show answer
What were Max and Nadia checking?
Wh- questions: question word + was / were + subject + -ing? What were you doing?
Past simple or past continuous?
When the phone rang, my best friend _____ (answer) it.
answered · answer · was answer · was answering
Show answer
When the phone rang, my best friend answered it.
An immediate reaction to an event is a completed action: past simple (When the phone rang, she answered it).

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What you’ll practise at B1

Sample exercises