Past simple and continuous – B1 English Grammar Test

1  Bold the shorter action in the past that interrupts the action or event that was in progress. Underline what was in progress.

1   The shoplifter ……was trying…… to steal some perfume when the store detective caught her.

2   Our friends were enjoying themselves at the party when we arrived.

3   I saw a well-dressed elderly man vandalising a building when I was walking to school yesterday.

4   While we were swimming in France on our holidays, the pool manager gave my dad a fine for wearing loose-fitting shorts!

5   Did you see anyone suspicious when you were waiting for the bus yesterday?

2  Decide if the verbs in brackets should be in the past simple (PS) or the past continuous (PC). Write the correct verbs.

1   Mum was making dinner when I (ask) her if I could go and meet my friends.   …PS… ……asked……

2   They (play) tennis when it started to rain.   …… ……………..

3   The thieves (rob) the bank when the police arrived at the crime scene.   …… ……………..

4   A bald, middle-aged burglar (fall) out of a window while he was burgling a house.   …… ……………..

5   The pickpocket who stole my grandpa’s wallet (wear) a cap and a dark coat.   …… ……………..

6   While I was waiting for the show to begin, I (make) myself a drink.   …… ……………..

3  Underline the verb that is wrong in each sentence and write the correct form.

1   I was walking along the road when I ……was finding…… £10.   ……found……

2   While he was deciding which T-shirt to buy, a shoplifter was appearing next to him and put a T-shirt right into her bag!   ………………..

3   We shook with fear when the thieves came out of the bank. We were so afraid!   ………………..

4   My grandma went to the police station because it was holding an identity parade to find the pickpocket who was stealing her bag.   ………………..

5   While he was watching TV, the police were ringing to say they had caught the vandal who damaged his car.   ………………..

4  Complete the sentences with the verbs in the box in the past simple and past continuous.

1   ……Were…… you ……going…… to school when the police ……stopped…… the suspicious-looking car?

2   Mum ……………… the dog in the park when she ……………… the police chasing two men.

3   ……………… Jamie ……………… his expensive watch when the pickpocket ……………… his wallet?

4   While my parents ……………… food at the supermarket, the store detective ……………… a shoplifter and called the police.

5   How many students ……………… their homework when the bell ………………?

5  Underline and correct the mistake in each sentence.

1   I broke my arm when I skis.   ……was skiing……

2   The thieves steal over £100,000 while they were robbing the bank.   ………………….

3   While they were sleep last night, the vandals covered their front door in graffiti.   ………………….

4   Did you felt bored while you were watching the film? I didn’t enjoy it at all!   ………………….

5   Edward saw some criminals get arrested for theft when he travelling in Asia.   ………………….

6   Mum and dad make dinner when we arrived home from school.   ………………….

6  Write the correct the pronoun in each sentence.

1   Hannah bought ……herself…… a new dress.

2   They made …………………. a picnic for the school trip.

3   Luckily. Julian didn’t hurt …………………. when he fell off his bike.

4   Did you enjoy …………………. in London, Kate?

5   I taught …………………. to speak some Spanish before our holiday to Spain last summer.

6   We didn’t buy …………………. concert tickets after all because they were so expensive.