Past Simple And Past Continuous Quiz

Reviewed by Heather Baxter
Heather Baxter, BSc (Elementary Education and Teaching) |
K-12 English Expert
Review Board Member
Heather is an educator, with four years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Teaching. She is skilled in Teaching English as a Second Language and currently works as an Elementary School Teacher at Pinellas County Schools. She made a career transition one year ago to explore a new path in writing and copy editing. Heather's specialization lies in curriculum development and educational materials, but she maintains versatility to work across various industries. Known for her keen attention to detail and a deep passion for language, she possesses a sharp eye for precision.
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  • 1/10 Questions

    ______________ when I saw Neil. I stopped and had a chat.

    • I was running
    • I ran
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About This Quiz


Get ready to dive into the 'Past Simple and Past Continuous Quiz!' We're excited to present this English grammar challenge, designed to assess your understanding of the past continuous and the past simple tenses.

Whether you're a dedicated student preparing for a class test or an English learner eager to solidify your skills, this quick quiz provides an ideal opportunity. It's a concise yet effective way to evaluate your grasp of these essential grammar concepts.

Don't miss the chance to put your knowledge to the test and refine your command of these tenses. Best of luck as you embark on this quiz, and may it contribute to your success in mastering English grammar!

Past Simple And Past Continuous Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    _____________ to the park on Sunday.

    • I went

    • I was going

    Correct Answer
    A. I went
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "I went" because it indicates a completed action in the past. The phrase "to the park on Sunday" suggests that the speaker went to the park on a specific day in the past. "I was going" would imply an ongoing or incomplete action, which does not fit the context of the sentence.

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  • 3. 

    When _____________ to the party?

    • Did you go

    • Were you going

    Correct Answer
    A. Did you go
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "did you go." This is because the question is asking about a past event, specifically the time when the person went to the party. The phrase "did you go" is the correct form for asking about a specific action that occurred in the past.

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  • 4. 

    When I woke up this morning _________________

    • It rained

    • It was raining

    Correct Answer
    A. It was raining
    Explanation
    The phrase "When I woke up this morning" indicates that the action of waking up happened in the past. Therefore, the correct answer is "it was raining" because it describes an ongoing action in the past, which is consistent with the timing of waking up in the morning.

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  • 5. 

    When I was 12 _________________

    • I was very shy.

    • I was being very shy.

    Correct Answer
    A. I was very shy.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "I was very shy" because the sentence is talking about a past event or state of being when the person was 12 years old. The verb "was" is in the past tense, indicating that the person was shy at that time. The phrase "being very shy" suggests a continuous or ongoing action, which does not fit the context of the sentence.

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  • 6. 

    _____________ learning English 2 years ago.

    • I was starting

    • I started

    Correct Answer
    A. I started
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "I started." This is because the phrase "2 years ago" indicates a specific point in the past, and the verb "started" is the correct past tense form of the verb "start." Therefore, "I started" is the appropriate choice to describe the action of learning English in the past.

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  • 7. 

    _______________ when I tried to call them?

    • Were they sleeping

    • Did they sleep

    Correct Answer
    A. Were they sleeping
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Were they sleeping" because the question is asking about the state of the person at a specific time in the past. "Were they sleeping" is in the past continuous tense and is the appropriate form to use when asking about an ongoing action or state in the past.

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  • 8. 

    I saw you yesterday. ____________________________. 

    • You were talking to Ainara.

    • You talked to Ainara.

    Correct Answer
    A. You were talking to Ainara.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "You were talking to Ainara" because the sentence "I saw you yesterday" indicates that the speaker witnessed the action of the person they are addressing. The use of the past continuous tense "were talking" suggests that the action of talking to Ainara was ongoing at the time the speaker saw them. The sentence "You talked to Ainara" is in the simple past tense, which does not convey the ongoing nature of the action.

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  • 9. 

    __________________ the other one, didn't you?

    • You were preferring

    • You preferred

    Correct Answer
    A. You preferred
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "You preferred." This is because the sentence is in the past tense and the verb "preferred" matches with the subject "you." The phrase "the other one" suggests that there were two options and the person being addressed chose one over the other.

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  • 10. 

    He was always _____________________. 

    • Coming to work late

    • Come to work late

    Correct Answer
    A. Coming to work late
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "coming to work late." This phrase is in the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action in the past. It suggests that the person mentioned consistently arrived at work late. The use of "coming" implies a continuous behavior, while "to work late" specifies the action of arriving late at the workplace.

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Heather Baxter |BSc (Elementary Education and Teaching) |
K-12 English Expert
Heather is an educator, with four years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Teaching. She is skilled in Teaching English as a Second Language and currently works as an Elementary School Teacher at Pinellas County Schools. She made a career transition one year ago to explore a new path in writing and copy editing. Heather's specialization lies in curriculum development and educational materials, but she maintains versatility to work across various industries. Known for her keen attention to detail and a deep passion for language, she possesses a sharp eye for precision.

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Oct 17, 2023 +

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  • Current Version
  • Oct 17, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team

    Expert Reviewed by
    Heather Baxter
  • Oct 02, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Jdaenglish
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