Grammar Lessons (Verb Tenses): Simple Past and Past Continuous

I. PAST SIMPLE (finished action)
1. What did you do yesterday? [Qu'avez-vous fait hier?] Example: Yesterday, I washed my clothes.

2. What important thing happened in France last week? [Quel événement important s'est produit en France la semaine dernière?] Example: The government announced a new tax.

II. PAST CONTINUOUS [was/were +ing] (specific time in the past, in the middle of the action)

1. Specific time in the past
What were you doing around 3 PM yesterday (15:00)? Example: I was attending a meeting around 3 in the afternoon yesterday.

What were you doing this time yesterday? [Que faisiez-vous hier à cette heure-ci ?] – Example: At this time yesterday, I think I was riding the Metro.

2. Specific event in the past:
Pattern: WHEN + SUBJECT + PAST TENSE VERB (Example: when he arrived)
What were you doing when you received my e-mail a while ago? [Que faisiez-vous lorsque vous avez reçu mon e-mail il y a un moment?] – Example: I was talking to a colleague when I received your email.

- What were you doing when the New York terrorist attack happened in September 11 or 9-11? - When the attacked happened, I …

PRACTICE
1. I ____ a book when the phone rang.

A. read
B. was reading

2. She ____ her grandparents last weekend.
A. visited
B. was visiting

3. They ____  soccer when it started to rain.
A. played
B. were playing

4. They ____ a movie after dinner.
A. watched
B. were watching

5. I ____ my homework before going to bed.
A. finished
B. was finishing

6. She ____ dinner while I was setting the table.
A. cooked
B. was cooking

- - -

(1)  B, (2) A, (3) B, (4) A, (5) A, and (6) B.