Practice Exercise on Past Continuous
(was/were + present participle)
Past Continuous
Start
Congratulations - you have completed Past Continuous.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
I _____ _______, so I didn't hear the doorbell.
A | will take |
B | was took |
C | was taking |
D | had took |
Question 1 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 2 |
I was not taking notes, but I ___ ________ attention.
A | will pay |
B | was paying |
C | were paying |
D | were paid |
Question 2 Explanation:
Two actions in the same sentence, can use Past Continuous to show that both actions were happening at the same time. (These are called parallel actions)
Question 3 |
My wife ______ _________ when I got home.
A | was cooking |
B | had cooked |
C | have cooking |
D | baked cookies |
Question 3 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 4 |
Lena _____ _________ violin when one of the strings broke.
A | were playing |
B | had played |
C | have played |
D | was playing |
Question 4 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 5 |
You gave a beer to a 12 year old boy? What ____ you ________?
A | was you thinking? |
B | did you think" |
C | were you thinking? |
D | have you thought? |
Question 5 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 6 |
I ___ ______ during the Opera but you were sleeping!
A | wasn't sleeping |
B | will be sleeping |
C | were sleeping |
D | weren't sleeping |
Question 6 Explanation:
Two actions in the same sentence, can use Past Continuous to show that both actions were happening at the same time. (These are called parallel actions)
Question 7 |
When Santa Claus came, Billy ___ ____, Mary ______ ______, and the dog ______ ______.
A | was sick, is angry, had fleas. |
B | slept, dreamed, barked |
C | were sleeping, was barking, had slept |
D | was sleeping, was dreaming, was barking. |
Question 7 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 8 |
I ______ _________ on the couch, when the phone rang.
A | am sitting |
B | had sat |
C | were sitting |
D | was sitting |
Question 8 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 9 |
Their house was robbed while they ____ ________.
A | were shopping |
B | shopped |
C | had shopped |
D | was shopping |
Question 9 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 10 |
While you ____ _____ dessert, I paid the restaurant bill.
A | were eating |
B | was eating |
C | ate |
D | had eaten |
Question 10 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 11 |
The girl was drinking beer while she ___ ______ her car.
A | was driving |
B | were driving |
C | drove |
D | does drive |
Question 11 Explanation:
Two actions in the same sentence, can use Past Continuous to show that both actions were happening at the same time. (These are called parallel actions)
Question 12 |
The bear wandered into their camp while they ______ __________.
A | was sleeping |
B | slept |
C | were sleepy |
D | were sleeping |
Question 12 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 13 |
At the party, some people _____ ________ while others were talking.
A | was dancing |
B | danced |
C | have danced |
D | were dancing |
Question 13 Explanation:
Two actions in the same sentence, can use Past Continuous to show that both actions were happening at the same time. (These are called parallel actions)
Question 14 |
Justin ran out of gas while he ____ ________ his car.
A | were driving |
B | was droven |
C | drives |
D | was driving |
Question 14 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Question 15 |
What kept the mosquitoes away was the fact that we ______ ______ cigarettes.
A | were smoking |
B | was smoking |
C | did smoke |
D | smoked |
Question 15 Explanation:
Past Continuous show a long action in the past that is interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action and in the Simple Past.
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
Get Results
There are 15 questions to complete.
You have completed
questions
question
Your score is
Correct
Wrong
Partial-Credit
You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost.
Correct Answer
You Selected
Not Attempted
Final Score on Quiz
Attempted Questions Correct
Attempted Questions Wrong
Questions Not Attempted
Total Questions on Quiz
Question Details
Results
Date
Score
Hint
Time allowed
minutes
seconds
Time used
Answer Choice(s) Selected
Question Text
All done
Need more practice!
Keep trying!
Not bad!
Good work!
Perfect!