Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Choose the correct word WHEN / WHILE

1. Liz was dusting the furniture       [when, while] she broke the vase.

2. Irene was playing with a kitten       [when, while] her mother was speaking to her friend.

3. The students were listening attentively       [while, when] the professor was giving a lecture.

4.       [While, When] Den returned home, his little sister was watching cartoons on TV.

5.       [When, While] Frank was doing his research in medicine, his mum died of the illness.

Choose the correct word WHEN / WHILE

1. I was waiting for a bus       [when, while] Frank stopped his car at the bus stop.

2.       [When, While] Martin was playing the guitar, the girls were singing.

3. The boys were fighting       [when, while] I came up to them.

4. Sam and Vicky were talking to the waiter       [when, while] we came into the cafe.

5. Lady Mary told people about smallpox inoculation       [when, while] she returned to Britain.

Write the verbs in Past Simple or Past Continuous

1. Frank             [played, was playing] a computer game when his dad               [returned, was returning] home yesterday.

2. We                 [decorated, were decorating] the room while Steve             [hung, was hanging]the posters on the wall.

3. Mike             [ran, was running] downstairs when suddenly he             [fell, was falling] down and ( to hurt ) his knee.

4. He            [took, was taking] a photo when a little child             [bumped, was bumping] into him.