2. Write the past simple or past continuous form of the verbs in brackets. 1) They (have) dinner when the phone (ring). 2) I (not / listen) while the teacher (explain) the exercise. 3) We (play) football when it (start) to rain. 4) What (you / do) at 8 o’clock last night? 5) She (read) a book while her brother (watch) TV.

1. They were having dinner when the phone rang.
2. I wasn’t listening while the teacher was explaining the exercise.
3. We were playing football when it started to rain.
4. What were you doing at 8 o’clock last night?
5. She was reading a book while her brother was watching TV.

Past continuous describes an action in progress; past simple describes an event that interrupts it or a completed past event.