Alicia Lauro

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Travel Worksheet: Past Continuous Tense for Describing Interrupted Actions

Name: _______________________

Date: _______________________

 

Instructions: Complete the exercises below using the past continuous tense to describe interrupted actions in the past. Part 1: Fill in the Blanks Complete the sentences using the past continuous tense of the verbs in parentheses.

 

1. While I ______________ (explore) the city, it ______________ (start) to rain.

2. We ______________ (take) a guided tour when the bus ______________ (break) down.

3. She ______________ (take) pictures of the monuments while her friends ______________ (shop) nearby.

4. They ______________ (enjoy) their dinner at the restaurant when the power ______________ (go) out.

5. He ______________ (relax) on the beach when someone ______________ (steal) his bag.

 

Part 2: Choose the Correct Option Select the correct verb form to complete each sentence.

 

1. We were having lunch when the tour guide __________ (was arriving / arrived).

2. She __________ (was looking / looked) at the map while they were waiting for the train.

3. The children __________ (were playing / played) at the park when it started to rain.

4. I __________ (was walking / walked) around the city center when I met an old friend.

5. They __________ (were booking / booked) their tickets when the website crashed.

 

 

Part 3: Rewrite the Sentences Rewrite the following sentences using the past continuous to show interrupted actions.

 

1. I visited the museum. I met some interesting people. o While I __________, I __________.

2. She was eating lunch. Her phone rang. o While she __________, __________.

3. They were hiking in the mountains. It started to snow. o While they __________, __________.

4. We were watching a movie. The fire alarm went off. o While we __________, __________.

5. He was reading a book. His friend called him. o While he __________, __________.

 

Part 4: Travel Story Write a short travel story (about 5-6 sentences) describing a situation where one action was interrupted by another. Use the past continuous tense in your story.

 

Part 5: Check Your Understanding Answer these questions about the past continuous tense.

1. When do we use the past continuous tense? o To describe actions that __________.

2. How do we form the past continuous tense? o We use __________ + __________ + __________.

3. Give an example sentence using the past continuous tense to describe an interrupted action.

 

 

Answer Key (for teacher reference): Part 1: 1. was exploring, started 2. were taking, broke 3. was taking, were shopping 4. were enjoying, went 5. was relaxing, stole Part 2: 1. arrived 2. was looking 3. were playing 4. was walking 5. were booking Part 3: 1. I was visiting the museum when I met some interesting people. 2. While she was eating lunch, her phone rang. 3. While they were hiking in the mountains, it started to snow. 4. While we were watching a movie, the fire alarm went off. 5. While he was reading a book, his friend called him. Part 4: (Students’ answers will vary. Ensure the past continuous is used correctly.) Part 5: 1. To describe actions that were in progress when another action occurred. 2. was/were + verb + -ing 3. Example: While I was exploring the city, I bumped into an old friend.

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