Inuous Were Paul and Claire working at 8 o'clock last night? No, they weren't Thoy were having dinner at a rostaurant. We form the past continuous with was/were (past simple of the verb to be) and the main verb with the -ing suffix. We form questions by putting was/ were before the subject. We form negations by Putting the word not after was/were. Rillemenve 1 He/Shellt }evevins YounWe/They {iteiiecetive was not was not were not HeJSheilt You/We/They What were the people doing when the fire broke out? Look at the pictures. In pairs, ask ‘and answer questions using the prompts below, as in the example. a A fre broke out yesterday at Crofion Electronics. SA: What was Tim doing ? SB: He was sitting at hie deok. f dim and Robert! Tim/sitfat his desk check/some reports the directors) have/a meeting Mary/work/on the computer Kim/read/a letter Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous. ‘A: What 4) ..wae happening... (happen) at the time of the robbery? B: Wel, 1 2) sonnsnues - (sit) in my office. | 3) (talk) to an empbyee. Some of the staf 4) (put) food onto the shelves. Saveral customers 5) (do) ther shopping and a cashier 6) ... ose (stand) behind the tl. ‘A: Gan you tell me anything about the robbers? B: Yes. They 7) won. = (wear) black masks and they 8)... ws (held) guns. They 9) (shout). A: How dic they got away? B: They drove offin @ car which 10) (walt) outside.for anaction which was in progress at a statedtime In the past. We do not know when the action started or finished. Atthree o'clock yesterday aftemoon Mike and his son were washing the dog. (We donot know when they started or {nished washing the dog.) © ‘for a past action which was in progress when ‘another action interrupted it We use the past continuous for the action in progress (longer action) and the past simple for the action which interrupted it chortor action). He was reading a ) newspaperwhen ge his wife came. (was reading = longer action; came = 5) shortor action) a © for two or more actions which were happening at the same time in the past (simultaneous actions). Tho people were watching while the cowboy was riding the bull. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Tom was driving his old truck through the forest. Timo expressions used with the past continuous include: while, when, as, all day/night/morning, etc. when/while/as + past continuous (longer action) when + past simple (shorter action) ae Match Column A with Column B. se a0ce eS 2 Column A While Iwas driving home, We were watching the children He cut his finger At oight o'clock yesterday morning As she was crossing the street, While they were taking, Column B ‘as he was chopping wood. he was sleeping in his bed. while they were playing, she slipped and fell. Iran out of petrol the doorbell rang. Join the sentences using as, when or while, as in the example. Tina was coking. She burt hersett As/WheniWhile Tina was cooking, she bumt hereelt. Tina was cooking when she bumt hersetf. Laura was making some tea. She dropped the kettle. Mrs Jason was sitting in the garden. k: stated raining Peter was driving his car. He got a flat tyre. ‘She was walking in the park. A dog attacked her. Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple oF past continuous. Which Is the longer action in each sentence? As |..was doing... (Co) the washing-up, | .. broke. (break) a glass. “Doing the washing-up is the longer action.” be eeeeeeone when the storm ... stones (Walk in the woods (begin).invous 3 John .. (repair) his motor bike when his mother. ‘arrive). at (eat) my lunch when venmnenensn (INQ) 5 (ide) his bicycle to school . (drop) his beg. (ee) a bad accident (drive) to the airport. (watch) the match (break down). (talk) when she (come) into the room. Set ZEW eg. Were you sleeping at eleven o'clock last night? Yes, Iwas. Were you ..2 ‘Yes, | was/we were. L No, Lwasn'tive weren't. Was he/she/it..2 Yes, he/she/it was. No, he/she/it wasn’t Were they ..? Yes, they were. ny No, they weter't. Yesterday, the people in the picture had to wait two hours for their boat which was late. What were they doing while they were waiting? Look at the picture and describe it using the eo e.g. The two girls were playing with a ball. Look at the picture in ex. 6 again and, in pairs, ask and answer questions, as in the example. a the two gills / play / tennis? SA: Were the two girls playing tennis? SB: No, they weren't. They were playing volleyball. 2 the young man/ listen to/ music? 3 the older man / read /a book? 4 the women / knit? 5 the Japanese tourists | take / pictures? Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous. |A_ Yesterday, | went for a walk in the park. While |was | there, | saw lots of children who 1) ..were playing... (play). Therewas a man who 2) it (walk) his dogs. He 3) (throw) sticks and the dogs 4 (run) to catch them. A gardener 5) .. 3 (plant) some flowers and some old ladies 6). (Git) on a park berch enjoying the warm sunshine. it was lovely. ‘Hamiet and Liam got martied lactwaekend.Itwas a beautiful wedding, The bridesmaids 1) (wear) pink dresses and they 2) {allcary) small bouquets of pink and white flowers. The photographer 3) oe (take) Jhotographs and the bride's mother 4) Roar (ry) because che was so heppy. The | (shine) and the couple | (mile) at everyone. eo In pairs, ask and answer questions, as in the example. 1 at six o'clock yesterday evening? SA: What were you doing at sk o'clock yesterday evening? SB: | was doing my Engh homework, at two o'clock this morning? ‘at halt past nino last Sunday evening? ‘an hour ago? at noon last Saturday? osenPash (Continuous versus Past Simple We use the past continuous for: (a, © anaction which was in progress (was happening) ata stated time in the past. We do not know when Z ~ the action started or finished. Atrine o'clock yestorcay moming, the plane was flying to Tani from New York. (We do not know when i lettor reached ts destination) ‘* two actions which were happening at the same time in the past. He was listening carefully while they were explaining the plan io him. Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. We ...wert... (go) swimming every week when we were young, SIMON vo (dance) when he fell land hurt his leg. Why .. .. (you/laugh) all through your history lesson yestercay? H ome (Oink) a glass of milk every day when! was a child Todd often (tide) horses when he was a boy. Bill (ite) a letter when his mother came home. It . (fain) while | was waiting for the bus i (play) the guitar when | was young but Idont any more. DOdIC evn ‘choir many years ago. Liz . (Clean) the windows when I saw her, ..(8ing) in the schoo! ‘We use the past simple for: © acomplete action at a stated time in the past. The plane landed at the airport at eight o'elock yesterday ‘morning. (The time is stated. The action is ‘complete. The plane landed.) * actions which happened immediately one after the other in the past First she read the advertisement and then she called the company. Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. A. Steve 1) ...had... (have) an accident yesterday. He 2 (rive) his car when a bird 3) scwomnenennane (fly) into the windseroen. Ho 4) (ty) to stop quickly but he 5) .. . (crash) into a wall, Liki, he 6). (ootibe) hur. B Lastweek 11) (g0) to atalk by a famous writer. He2) vw» (talk) about his new book when | 3) (arrive). He 4) (ave) such ‘an interesting talk that | 5) - (be) isappoinied when i 6)... «(end © Julie) «» idy) her bedroom last weekend, While she)... id) the 8) oacsennne (find) some of the toys shea) (have) when sho was a child. Sho 8) .neeuensnne (notwant) to throw them away, 0 she 6) . = (put them in ‘a box and7) .. (Store) them in the atte,@ Put the verbs in brackets into the past continuous or the past simple. Then, put the pictures in the right order It 1) ...vas... (be) a beautitul spring moming when Emma and her father 2)... (decide) to visit Seaton Castie. The sun 3) .. (shine) and the birds 4) ... (Sing). Emma 5. sensu (fl Very exited. The castle 6) .wvwe (be) very old anc made of stone. They ” (climb) the steps to the top of the tower. While they 8) (admire) the view, they 9) .. . (hear) some noises. They 10) (ook) around but they 11) won. (nct/see) anybody. ‘That's funny,’ said Emma. ‘1 12) osnessesenesoee (NK) 13) cseesecesesesene (868) someone standing over there.’ After a while they 14) . .. (decide) to visit the cellar of the castle. Emma 15) (examine) an old barrel when she 16) hear) the door of the colar close behind them. ‘Dad,’ she 17) (say), ‘don't close the door!’ ‘But, | 18) (noticlose) it, dear,’ her father said. Emma 19) ...... (umm) around and 20) one (see) a shadow on the wall. She 21) ... rz (know) then that the ghost of Seaton Castle 22) « (watch) them! Put the verbs in brackets into the past By sine etcmamrie et Gy coon emitter Philip was washing the car while the fire started. 1 Dear Rick, 2 Neil was studying when his sister was listening to music. I'm writing to you from my hotel in Switzerland. 3 Harriet was opening the door and walked into the V'm having a lovely time here but you can’t imagine house. what 1) ..happened.. happen) to me yesterday. | 4 We were having lunch at ¢ lovely restaurant every, D (be) on the mountain with my frends day when we were on holiday. cond we 3) (have) a lovely time because 5 Brian drank tea at five o'clock yesterday aftemoon. the snow 4) . (be) perfect for skiina. 6 Dad was repairing the TV while Mum cooked dinner. Unfortunately the sun 5) Ghind) 7 | was going to the cinema last Saturday. con the snow, soit 6)... ~ be) difficult to see. 8 Iwas buying anew dress for my party yesterday. Suddenly, | 2) evo (hid arock and i 9 While Jeff bult the garden shed, he hutt himectf a. Gall over. Luckéy! 9 }0. Wile the teacher were speaking, the students were (not/be) seriously hurt —I just 10) (ed Hetening t9, fim. a few bruises. Now I'm trying to be more carefull 1 see you when I get back. Bost wishes, Kevin Se nanhe ion Box Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous, present simple, past simple or past continuous. 1 1 ..was cleaning... telephone .. 2 ‘What is that noise?” ‘James (repair) his bike atthe moment’ (clean) the windows when the - (FIN). a He (1ead) a book when his mothor - (call) him. a (Ge) you busy?’ ‘No, what. (yau/want) me to do?" (sing) whie we (play) some music. 6 Susan is a nurse. She usually (work) at night. 6-—-——. 5 They 1 Theearth...... round the sun. A moved B moves € is moving 2 Sarch Anew car last weok. A is buying —B buy © bought 3 .- when suddenly the dog began to bark. A study B studied © was studying 4 They . hard at the moment. A areworking B were working © worked BV ccsenee ome from work when it began to snow. A amwalking B wak © was waking the receiver and dialled the number. B was iting Iited 7 Walt Dsney Mickey Mouse, A was creating B creates. created 8 Helen to the gym evety day, but now she doesnt. A used to go B didn't use togo C was going 9 Wo wncessnn for @ now house at the moment. A arelooking —B look © looked 10 Ted his father in the garden every Sunday. ‘A was helping B helos € ishelping 11. The ferry to Calais .......-atS o'clock every day. A leave B leaves was leaving 42 You . your music too loud! | can’t stand it! ‘A were always playing B always play © are always playing 6 Jane A iit Past G Activity i Look at the picture. It shows what the people were doing/did when a bank robbery happened. in pairs, ‘ask and answer questions using the prompts below as in the example. eg. SA’ Whatwas the manager doing? SB: He was talking on the phone. SA: What did he do when he saw the robbers? SB: He stood up. ‘manager / talk on the phone / stand up ‘cashier / count some money/ put hs hands up child / sit on a chair / start to ory ld lady / wait inthe queue / faint % Activity & Imagine tat one of the people who saw the robbery is wiiting a letter to a friend to tell him/her what was. hhappening/ happened on that day. Using the picture ‘and your netes from the Oral Activity, complete the letter.Unit 20 - a) Prepositions of Place/Movement (Questions) Divide the class into two teams. Give them the picture and ask them to look at it for 2 minutes. Then, $s close their books and take tums to answer your questions. The winner is the team with the most correct answers. eg. Teacher: Where is the woman with the groceries? Team A $1: She is at the bus stop. b) Prepositions of Time (TV Programmes) Give $s a handout with programmes which are on TV at the weekend. One student chooses a programme without telling the others. The other Ss take turns to ask questions to find out what the programme is. The student who guesses correctly takes the next tum. Ss have to use Prepositions of Time. Saturday Sunday morning 9:00 Bugs Bunny 8.00 Sindy 11:00 Popeye 9:00 The Smurfs afternoon 2:00 Detective Gadget | 3:00 The Dinosaurs 400 Tom and Jerry —_| 4:00 The Monsters evening 7:00 Power Rangers | 600 Pokemon 9:00 The Disney Club | 8:00 The Titanic eg. (Student chooses The Titanic) 34: Is tin the evening? ‘SI: Is iton Saturday? 82: Yes, Iti. $2: No, it isn't 85: Is tat 8o'clock? $3: Is iton Sundey? 82: Yes, itis. $2: Yes, itis. 96: fs the Titanic.