Past Continuous Tense Worksheet

English grammar lesson 14: Past continuous tense · Set 917 · 40 questions

The grammar rule (was / were + -ing): Time words: when the phone rang, when Mum came home, at 8 pm yesterday. I / he / she / it / one name → was + -ing. You / we / they / many → were + -ing. The short action that “interrupts” is in the simple past (the phone rang).

1. 1.I ___ a song when the phone rang. (a) were singing (b) am singing (c) was singing (d) was sing
2. 2.I ___ in the pool when the phone rang. (a) were swimming (b) was swim (c) am swimming (d) was swimming
3. 3.You ___ the train when the bell rang. (a) was taking (b) are taking (c) were taking (d) were take
4. 4.When the bell rang, you ___ the ball. (a) were catch (b) was catching (c) are catching (d) were catching
5. 5.When the phone rang, Zoya ___ a tree. (a) were climbing (b) is climbing (c) was climbing (d) was climb
6. 6.She ___ a cartoon when it started to rain. (a) is watching (b) was watch (c) were watching (d) was watching
7. 7.When Mum came home, they ___ a tree. (a) was climbing (b) are climbing (c) were climbing (d) were climb
8. 8.Myra ___ vegetables when the bell rang. (a) was buying (b) was buy (c) were buying (d) is buying
9. 9.When the bell rang, he ___ rice. (a) is cooking (b) was cook (c) was cooking (d) were cooking
10. 10.They ___ a tree at 8 pm yesterday. (a) are planting (b) was planting (c) were planting (d) were plant
11. 11.She ___ the match when it started to rain. (a) was win (b) were winning (c) is winning (d) was winning
12. 12.When it started to rain, my sister ___ a song. (a) was singing (b) was sing (c) were singing (d) is singing
13. 13.My parents ___ in the pool at 8 pm yesterday. (a) was swimming (b) were swim (c) are swimming (d) were swimming
14. 14.He ___ a tree at 8 pm yesterday. (a) was plant (b) were planting (c) is planting (d) was planting
15. 15.At 8 pm yesterday, you ___ a message. (a) were sending (b) was sending (c) are sending (d) were send
16. 16.We ___ a message at 8 pm yesterday. (a) are sending (b) were sending (c) were send (d) was sending
17. 17.At 8 pm yesterday, they ___ a song. (a) were sing (b) was singing (c) were singing (d) are singing
18. 18.She ___ a sandcastle when the bell rang. (a) was building (b) was build (c) is building (d) were building
19. 19.Nisha ___ a message when the phone rang. (a) were sending (b) was send (c) was sending (d) is sending
20. 20.I ___ a cartoon at 8 pm yesterday. (a) am watching (b) was watch (c) was watching (d) were watching
21. 21.We ___ milk when Mum came home. (a) are drinking (b) was drinking (c) were drink (d) were drinking
22. 22.When the phone rang, they ___ vegetables. (a) were buying (b) were buy (c) was buying (d) are buying
23. 23.They ___ rice when Mum came home. (a) was cooking (b) were cook (c) were cooking (d) are cooking
24. 24.At 8 pm yesterday, he ___ a cake. (a) was bake (b) were baking (c) was baking (d) is baking
25. 25.She ___ Grandma when it started to rain. (a) was help (b) were helping (c) is helping (d) was helping
26. 26.When it started to rain, we ___ the room. (a) were cleaning (b) were clean (c) are cleaning (d) was cleaning
27. 27.When the phone rang, my brother ___ the match. (a) was winning (b) is winning (c) was win (d) were winning
28. 28.When Mum came home, my parents ___ the dishes. (a) are washing (b) were wash (c) was washing (d) were washing
29. 29.My brother ___ a letter at 8 pm yesterday. (a) is writing (b) was writing (c) were writing (d) was write
30. 30.When the phone rang, Rohan ___ the bag. (a) was carrying (b) were carrying (c) is carrying (d) was carry
31. 31.My sister ___ for the team when the bell rang. (a) was clapping (b) was clap (c) were clapping (d) is clapping
32. 32.You ___ for the team at 8 pm yesterday. (a) are clapping (b) was clapping (c) were clapping (d) were clap
33. 33.When it started to rain, you ___ a sandcastle. (a) are building (b) was building (c) were build (d) were building
34. 34.When the phone rang, he ___ a bicycle. (a) is riding (b) was riding (c) was ride (d) were riding
35. 35.When the phone rang, we ___ a story. (a) are telling (b) were tell (c) were telling (d) was telling
36. 36.Nisha ___ in the park at 8 pm yesterday. (a) were jogging (b) was jog (c) was jogging (d) is jogging
37. 37.When the phone rang, my sister ___ the bag. (a) was carry (b) were carrying (c) was carrying (d) is carrying
38. 38.When the bell rang, Ananya ___ a sandcastle. (a) was building (b) were building (c) was build (d) is building
39. 39.When it started to rain, I ___ the dog. (a) were feeding (b) was feed (c) was feeding (d) am feeding
40. 40.You ___ the bag when the bell rang. (a) were carry (b) were carrying (c) was carrying (d) are carrying

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