Exercises

EXERCISE 1. Make up your own examples (10 sentences) with the use of The Past Continuous Tense

EXERCISE 2. Explain the usage of the Past Continuous Tense. Translate the sentences.

1. It was snowing when we went out. 2. I wasn’t reading that book on holidays. 3. These people were being so kind to us when we visited them. 4. While my granny was making tea in the kitchen I laid the table. 5. She was helping me during my exam session. 6. It was December. Christmas was coming. 7. Jennie was having her gymnastic class at ten o’clock in the morning. 8. The phone rang when I was cooking supper. 9. Dennis was repairing the TV-set when I came. 10. They were discussing a very important question and that’s why they didn’t call you back.

EXERCISE 3. Complete the sentences like it’s shown in the example:

… at ten o’clock yesterday.

I was reading a book at ten o’clock yesterday.

1. … at 7 o’clock last Sunday.

2. … when you called me.

3. … when the postman came.

4. … last weekend on Saturday.

5. … when my mother cooked dinner.

6. … yesterday at four o’clock.

7. … last summer in June.

8. … in last October.

EXERCISE 4. Put the following sentences into interrogative form; give short positive and negative answers to them.

1. She was sending an email when I saw her. 2. He was talking to the teacher before the lunch. 3. They were laughing at him when he dropped the book. 4. The girl was crying when he broke her doll. 5. I was playing with my sister when my friend came up. 6. I was doing my homework the whole day yesterday. 7. I was sleeping until the alarm clock woke me up. 8. I was collecting stamps until I turned ten.

EXERCISE 5. Open the brackets giving the right form of the verb – Past Simple or Past Continuous

1. Adam was not at home at six o’clock. He (to work) 2. The exam (to be) difficult, and he (to feel) sick. 3. While he (to have) a swim, somebody (to come) and (to take) away the clothes. 4. What you (to do) at eight o’clock last night? 5. It (to pour) when I (to decide) to walk out my dog. 6. When the telephone (to ring) she (to sleep). 7. Andy (to drop) the keys when he (to open) the door. 8. From nine to twelve they (to work) that night. 9. She (to feel) that something strange (to happen). 10. It (to be) a pleasant evening. The fire (to burn), the romantic music (to play).

EXERCISE 6. Translate into English, using The Past Continuous Tense.

1. Я спешил на работу, когда встретил своего старого друга. 2. Когда зазвонил телефон, они обсуждали этот вопрос. 3. Когда я вышел из комнаты, они играли в шахматы. 4. Они сидели за столом, когда я начал эту историю. 5. В 10 утра мы слушали радио. 6. Мы путешествовали, когда получили письмо от родителей. 7. Вы переводили статью или готовились к контрольной в 2 часа? 8. Когда я подошел к нему, он разговаривал по мобильному телефону (cell phone). 9. В машине никого не было, но мотор работал. 10. Когда девочка играла во дворе, она потеряла свои перчатки.

EXERCISE 7. Open the brackets using the verbs in The Present Continuous Tense or the Past Continuous Tense.

1. I (to write) an English exercise now. 2. I (to write) an English exercise at this time yesterday. 3. My little sister (to sleep) now. 4. My little sister (to sleep) at this time yesterday. 5. My friends (not to do) their homework now; they (to play) volleyball. 6. My friends (not to do) their homework at 7 o’clock yesterday. 7. You (to eat) ice cream now? 8. You (to eat) ice cream when I rang you up yesterday. 9. What your father (to do) now? 10. What your father (to do) from 8 till 9 yesterday.

EXERCISE 8. Open the brackets using the verbs in The Past Simple Tense or The Past Continuous Tense.

1. I (to play) computer games yesterday. 2. I (to play) computer games from 2 till 3 yesterday. 3. I (to play) computer games at 5 o’clock yesterday. 4. We (to play) computer games the whole evening yesterday. 5. What Nick (to do) when you came to his place? 6. What you (to do) when I rang you up? 7. I (not to sleep) at 9 o’clock yesterday. 8. What he (to do) yesterday? He (to read) a book. 9. What he (to do) the whole evening yesterday? He (to read) a book.10. She (to sleep) when you came home. 11. My brother (not to play) tennis yesterday. He (to play) tennis the day before yesterday. 12. When I came into the kitchen, mother (to cook). 13. He (to get up) at 7 o’clock yesterday. 14. Father (to come) home at 6 o’clock yesterday. 15. When the teacher (to open) the door of the classroom, the students (to sit) at their desks.