1. Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple. 1. Jane .was waiting. (wait)...

1. Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

1. Jane was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).
2. "What were you doing (you/do) this time yesterday?" "I was asleep."
3. "Did you go (you/go) out last night?" "No, I was too tired."
4. "Was Carol at the party last night?" "Yes, she was wearing (wear) a really nice dress."
5. How fast were you driving (you/drive) when the accident happened (happen)?
6. John took (take) a photograph of me while I was not looking (not/look).
7. We were in a very difficult position. We did not know (not/know) what to do.
8. I haven't seen Alan for ages. When I last saw (see) him, he was trying (try) to find a job in London.
9. I was walking (walk) along the street when suddenly I heard (hear) footsteps behind me. Somebody was following (follow) me. I was frightened and I started (start) to run.
10. When I was young, I wanted (want) to be a bus driver.

2. Choose the correct answer.

1. A We go skiing in the French Alps every year.
2. B I'm reading one of Agatha Christie's books at the moment.
3. Some modern cars A run on unleaded petrol.
4. The St Lawrence River A flows into the North Atlantic.
5. "Where's the cat?" B It's lying on the sofa.
6. Drive carefully, B It's snowing heavily this morning.
7. Be careful! The ladder B is falling down.
8. The planet Mercury A travels round the sun every eighty-eight days.

Explanation of Choices

In the first section, the distinction between past continuous and past simple is crucial. The past continuous (e.g., "was waiting," "were you doing") is used to describe actions that were ongoing in the past or to set the scene, while the past simple (e.g., "arrived," "went") indicates completed actions.

In the second section, understanding the context is essential. Present simple is often used for habitual actions or general truths (e.g., "We go skiing"), while present continuous describes actions happening right now (e.g., "I'm reading"). The other options follow similar logic regarding usage.

Part 1: Past Continuous or Past Simple

The task requires identifying the appropriate verb tense—Past Simple or Past Continuous—and applying it correctly. Let’s analyze the rules and the answers:

Rules:

1. Past Simple is used for completed actions in the past.
   • Example: I arrived at the station.
2. Past Continuous is used for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past or when another action interrupted the ongoing action.
   • Example: I was waiting for the bus when it started raining.

Now, let’s apply these rules:

1. Jane was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).

   • "Was waiting" (Past Continuous): Describes the ongoing action.
   • "Arrived" (Past Simple): Describes the completed action interrupting it.

2. What were you doing (you/do) this time yesterday? 'I was asleep.'

   • "Were you doing": Refers to the action in progress at a specific time in the past.
   • "Was asleep": State verb in Past Continuous.

3. Did you go (you/go) out last night? 'No, I was too tired.'

   • "Did you go": Past Simple question about a completed action.
   • "Was": State verb in Past Simple.

4. Was Carol at the party last night? 'Yes, she was wearing (wear) a really nice dress.'

   • "Was wearing" (Past Continuous): Describes an ongoing action during a specific period (the party).

5. How fast were you driving (you/drive) when the accident happened (happen)?

   • "Were you driving" (Past Continuous): Action in progress.
   • "Happened" (Past Simple): The completed action.

6. John took (take) a photograph of me while I wasn’t looking (not/look).

   • "Took" (Past Simple): Completed action.
   • "Wasn't looking" (Past Continuous): Ongoing action during which the photo was taken.

7. We were in a very difficult position. We didn’t know (not/know) what to do.

   • "Didn’t know" (Past Simple): State verb.

8. I haven’t seen Alan for ages. When I last saw (see) him, he was trying (try) to find a job in London.

   • "Saw" (Past Simple): Completed action.
   • "Was trying" (Past Continuous): Ongoing action at that time.

9. I was walking (walk) along the street when suddenly I heard (hear) footsteps behind me. Somebody was following (follow) me. I was frightened and I started (start) to run.

   • "Was walking" (Past Continuous): Ongoing action.
   • "Heard" (Past Simple): Action interrupting the ongoing action.
   • "Was following" (Past Continuous): Ongoing action.
   • "Started" (Past Simple): Completed action.

10. When I was young, I wanted (want) to be a bus driver.

    • "Wanted" (Past Simple): State verb describing a completed idea or dream in the past.

Part 2: Choose the Correct Answer

Rules:

1. Present Simple is used for:
   • Habits or routines.
   • General truths or facts.
2. Present Continuous is used for:
   • Actions happening now or around the current time.
   • Temporary actions or situations.

Now, let’s analyze the sentences:

1. We go skiing in the French Alps every year.

   • Correct answer: A. We go
   • Present Simple, because it describes a habitual action.

2. I'm reading one of Agatha Christie's books at the moment.

   • Correct answer: B. I'm reading
   • Present Continuous, because it describes an action happening now.

3. Some modern cars run on unleaded petrol.

   • Correct answer: A. Run
   • Present Simple, because it describes a general truth about cars.

4. The St Lawrence River flows into the North Atlantic.

   • Correct answer: A. Flows
   • Present Simple, because it’s a fact about geography.

5. 'Where's the cat?' 'It’s lying on the sofa.'

   • Correct answer: B. It's lying
   • Present Continuous, because it describes the cat's current position.

6. Drive carefully. It's snowing heavily this morning.

   • Correct answer: B. It's snowing
   • Present Continuous, because it describes the current weather condition.

7. Be careful! The ladder is falling down.

   • Correct answer: B. Is falling
   • Present Continuous, because it describes an action happening right now.

8. The planet Mercury travels round the sun every eighty-eight days.

   • Correct answer: A. Travels
   • Present Simple, because it’s a scientific fact.

Final Notes:

Understanding the context of each sentence is crucial for choosing the correct tense. The Past Continuous is often paired with the Past Simple to show one action interrupting another, while the Present Continuous highlights actions happening now. On the other hand, the Present Simple is used for facts, habits, and general truths.