Simple Past vs. Past Continuous (OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL)

A.Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or past progressive).

1. While I (do) the washing-up, I (break) a plate.
2. While Tom (play) the piano, his mother (do) the washing-up.
3. He (drink) some juice and then he (eat) a few chips.
4. I (have) dinner when I suddenly (hear) a loud bang.
5. When my father (work) in the garden, an old friend (pass) by to see him.
6. She (go) to school, (take) out her textbook and (begin) to learn.
7. As soon as it (start) to rain, our dog (want) to come inside.
8. While Jane (do) a language course in Ireland, she (visit) Blarney Castle.
9. When I (be) on my way home, I (see) an accident.
10. I (not / understand) what they (talk) about. 

B.Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Progressive).

1. When I (get) up yesterday, the sun (shine) .
2. It (is) a beautiful morning.
3. So I (decide) to cycle around a little.
4. I (go) to the shed and (take) out my bike.
5. While I (cycle) past some villages, I (see) some people in their gardens.
6. One man (mow) the grass while his wife (pick) strawberries.
7. After one hour of cycling in sunshine, a big fat raincloud suddenly (appear) and it (start) to rain.
8. Luckily, a farmer (notice) me and (tell) me to come in.
9. While it (rain) outside, I (sit) in the farmer's house.
10. After a while, the sun (come) out again.
11. I (thank) the farmer for his hospitality and (move) on. 

C. Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Progressive).

1. A: »What (do / you) yesterday at 8 pm?«
2. B: »I (sit) in the pub with Sam. Why?«
3. A: »I (drive) to the sports centre at that time to play squash with a few friends. As we (be) only three players, I (try) to ring you to ask if you would like to come as well. But I (reach / not) you at home.«
4. B: »Why (ring / not / you) my mobile?«
5. A: »I actually (want) to ring your mobile, but by accident I (dial) William's number. He (do / not) anything special at that moment and really (like) the idea of playing squash with us.

Simple Present vs Present Continuous (OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL)

a.Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

1. James (live) in a little village.
2. He (be) in his last year at school.
3. After school, James (want) to become a banker.
4. So this week, he (do) a practical course in a bank.
5. There (be) a bank in a nearby town, but James (have) to take the bus to get there.
6. The bus (leave) at 5.30 in the morning and (return) at 8.15 in the evening.
7. James (not / like) to spend so much time in town before and after work, waiting for the bus.
8. Therefore, this week he (stay) with his aunt, who (live) in town.
9. James usually (wear) jeans and t-shirts, but while he (work) for the bank now, he (wear) a suit and a tie. 

b.Complete the story. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

1. Today (be) Betty's birthday.
2. Betty (love) birthdays.
3. She (be) always very excited and (wake up) very early.
4. At six o'clock in the morning, Betty (hear) a noise.
5. She (get up) and (go) into the sitting room.
6. What (go on) ?
7. Look! Betty's cat Carlos (sit) on the table and he (play) with Betty's present. 

c. Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

1. Sue (be) a student from South Korea.
2. She (live) in Seoul and (study) medicine.
3. At the moment, however, Sue (live) in London.
4. She (do) a six-months practical course in a London hospital.
5. In five days, Sue (go) back to South Korea because the next term at university (start) in ten days.

d.Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

1. Mary and Joe (be) in a clothes shop at the moment.
2. They (look) at some jeans.
3. Joe only (have) one very old pair of jeans.
4. So he (want) to buy a new pair of jeans now.
5. Right now, he (try on) a pair of blue jeans.
6. These jeans (fit) very well, he (say) .
7. Ba.ut they (not suit) you, Mary (reply) . Try on another pair.'
8. What (think / you) ? he (ask) Mary, when has tried on another pair.
9. Great! How much (cost / they) ?