Grammar

Past Simple: Verbs from the Story

1

Gap fill · type your answer in each gap

Complete the sentences from the story. Use the past simple form of the verb in brackets.

1.I (decide) to take a different route through Covent Garden.

2.I (see) a large crowd of people with cameras.

3.A big black car (stop), and a man got out.

4.A big black car stopped, and a man (get) out.

5.At first, I (not / recognise) him.

6.Then, he (turn), and I realised it was Tom Hiddleston.

7.Then, he turned, and I (realise) it was Tom Hiddleston.

8.He (wave) to the crowd.

9.He (smile) at me for a second!

10.Another girl (get) his autograph.

11.I just (stand) there with my mouth open.

12.I (can not / believe) my luck.

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

2

Theory · read before you start

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Past continuous describes an action in progress - it sets the scene. Past simple describes the shorter action that happened during or after it.

RULE

was / were + verb-ing → action in progress (the scene)

verb + -ed (or irregular form) → the action that happened

Look out for while and when - they often connect a past continuous scene to a past simple event.

EXAMPLES

I was walking home when I saw a large crowd.
They were shouting and trying to take photos.

3

Gap fill · type your answer in each gap

Complete the sentences with the past continuous or past simple form of the verb in brackets.

1.I (walk) home when I decided to take a different route.

2.I was walking home when I (decide) to take a different route.

3.They (shout) and tried to take photos when I arrived.

4.They were shouting and (try) to take photos when I arrived.

5.While the crowd (wait), a big black car stopped.

6.He (wear) a very smart suit when he waved to the crowd.

7.He was wearing a very smart suit when he (wave) to the crowd.

Make Questions to Retell the Story

4

Sentence transform · type your rewritten sentence

Read each sentence from the story. Write the question that goes with it — these questions will help you retell the story later.

1.She was walking home from work on Thursday afternoon.

2.She decided to take a different route through Covent Garden.

3.She saw a large crowd of people outside a hotel.

4.A big black car stopped and a man got out.

5.The man was Tom Hiddleston, her favourite actor.

6.He was wearing a very smart suit.

7.Another girl got his autograph.

8.Jessica was too nervous to ask for a photo.

Retell the Story

Your Own Exciting Day

English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

Grammar