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Past simple, Past continuous, while, when, as

Practice the written form of the Past Continuous Tense and the use of 'when' and 'while'.

1 Paula was playing tennis when/while it began to rain.

2 I was cooking when/while my mum arrived.

3 they broke a window when/while playing football.

4 He had a bad dream when/while sleeping in the chair.

5 Brenda was taking pictures when/while her dad called.

complete the sentences

Read the text and answer the questions

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Use the Past Simple for completed actions and the Past Continuous for actions in progress in the past.

Use when for short actions and while for longer actions happening at the same time.

Practical assigment, vocabulary related to holidays, useful objects (technology) and music. Past simple and continuous with when and while.

• When you finish the exercises, click “Finish!” and choose “Email my answers to my teacher.”
• Then type your full name, group, school subject, and the teacher’s key code.

***Teacher’s key code: McpEKsKoXH

Connectors-tense agrement

exercise on while & when

• When you finish the exercises, click “Finish!” and choose “Email my answers to my teacher.”
• Then type your full name, group, school subject, and the teacher’s key code.

***Teacher’s key code: McpEKsKoXH

Grammar Content

Level: High School Students (A2–B2)

Grammar Points / Structures / Patterns

1. Verb Tenses

   • Present Simple and Present Continuous

   • Past Simple

   • Present Perfect

   • Future forms (will, be going to, present continuous for future plans)

2. Sentence Structure

   • Affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms

   • Subject–verb agreement

   • Basic word order in English sentences

3. Modal Verbs

   • can, could (ability and permission)

   • must, have to (obligation)

   • should (advice)

   • may, might (possibility)

4. Comparative and Superlative Forms

   • Comparative adjectives and adverbs

   • Superlative structures

   • as…as comparison

5. Question Forms

   • Yes/No questions

   • Wh-questions

   • Question tags (B1–B2)

6. Complex Sentences

   • Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so, because)

   • Subordinating conjunctions (although, if, when, while)

   • Relative clauses (who, which, that)

7. Conditionals

   • Zero Conditional

   • First Conditional

   • Second Conditional (B1–B2)

8. Passive Voice

   • Present Simple Passive

   • Past Simple Passive

9. Reported Speech

   • Reported statements and questions

10. Gerunds and Infinitives

• Verb + V-ing

• Verb + to-infinitive

• Expressing purpose (to + verb)

Using Past Simple and Past Continuous with when and while

Students can practise past simple and past continuous tenses with adverbs "when" and "while".

will going to while when as soon as

for grade 8 students

Here’s an exercise to practice the past continuous with when and while:

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.

1. I __________ (watch) TV when the phone __________ (ring).
2. She __________ (walk) to work when it __________ (start) to rain.
3. While we __________ (have) dinner, the lights __________ (go) out.
4. He __________ (drive) to the office when he __________ (see) an accident.
5. While they __________ (play) football, their mom __________ (call) them.
6. I __________ (study) when my brother __________ (come) home.
7. While the teacher __________ (explain) the lesson, some students __________ (talk).
8. We __________ (sleep) when we __________ (hear) a loud noise outside.
9. While she __________ (cook), her husband __________ (set) the table.
10. I __________ (read) a book when my friend __________ (arrive).

Answer Key:

1. was watching – rang
2. was walking – started
3. were having – went
4. was driving – saw
5. were playing – called
6. was studying – came
7. was explaining – were talking
8. were sleeping – heard
9. was cooking – was setting
10. was reading – arrived

Let me know if you need more exercises or explanations! 😊

Los estudiantes serán capaces de aplicar el uso del pasado continuo con when y while en diferentes contextos, identificando y corrigiendo errores, completando oraciones y expresando acciones que ocurren de manera simultánea o que fueron interrumpidas. Además, reforzarán el vocabulario de deportes y actividades de tiempo libre, junto con adjetivos de opinión (fun, cool, exciting, boring).

Complete the following tasks using the correct form of the verbs and appropriate linking words (when/while).

Use When While in a sentence