Complete the structures of the past simple and past continuous.

Past simple: S + .

Past continuous: S + + .

Read the examples and match the tenses with their uses.

e.g.:

I was reading an article when she called.

While I was reading an article, she called.

Choose the correct verb form in each of the following sentences.

1. While Lan was working / worked as a volunteer in the countryside, she met an old friend.

2. I was revising for my civics class when my dad was telling / told me about the volunteer job.

3. We saw many unhappy children while we were helping / helped people in remote areas.

4. He was sorting the donations when he was realising / realised how generous people were.

Combine the two sentences using when or while where appropriate.

1. They were cleaning the streets. It started to rain.

2. I was watching TV. I saw the floods and landslides in the area.

3. Tim was searching for employment opportunities. He found a job advert from a non-governmental organisation.

4. They decided to help build a community centre for young people. They were visiting some poor villages.