Look at the sentence and answer the questions. While Gershwin was travelling by train, he suddenly got the idea for Rhapsody in Blue. 1 Did these actions happen one after another? at the same time? 2 Which action was shorter and which do we use to talk about it?

Решение:

В предложении "While Gershwin was travelling by train, he suddenly got the idea for Rhapsody in Blue" описываются два действия:

1. 1. Did these actions happen one after another? at the same time?
   Действия происходили одновременно (at the same time). Предлог "While" (в то время как) указывает на одновременность действий.
2. 2. Which action was shorter and which do we use to talk about it?
   Более длительное действие — "was travelling by train" (путешествовал на поезде). Его мы выражаем через Past Continuous.
   Более короткое действие — "suddenly got the idea" (внезапно получил идею). Его мы выражаем через Past Simple.

Ответ: 1 - at the same time; 2 - 'was travelling by train' (длительное, Past Continuous), 'suddenly got the idea' (короткое, Past Simple).