past continuous sentences + timeline

Create the sentences using the verbs in the correct forms with the help of the timelines.

Past continuous vs. past simple

While/when I was cooking dinner, Tom came back home.

EXAMPLES

TIMELINE no. 1

NOW

I / HAVE A SHOWER

MY SISTER /

WHILE...

While I was having a shower,

my sister fell asleep.

TIMELINE no. 2

I / COOK DINNER

MY DOG /

WHILE...

NOW

While I was cooking dinner,

my dog ate my shoes.

TIMELINE no. 3

SHE / CUT ONIONS

HER SON /

WHILE...

NOW

While she was cutting onions,

her son broke the vase.

TIMELINE no. 4

BEN / PLAY TENNIS

HIS PHONE / RING

WHILE...

NOW

While Ben was playing tennis,

his phone rang.

TIMELINE no. 5

MRS BROWN /

LITTLE JOHN /

WHILE...

NOW

While Mrs Brown was handing out tests,

little John came in.

TIMELINE no. 6

THEY / WATCH TV

THEIR MUM /

WHILE...

NOW

While they were watching TV,

their mum dropped her favourite plate.

TIMELINE no. 7

WE / FIGHT

A THIEF /

WHILE...

NOW

While we were fighting,

a thief stole our car.

TIMELINE no. 8

SUSAN / GATHER MUSHROOMS

HER DAD /

WHILE...

NOW

While Susan was gathering mushrooms,

her dad found her diary.

TIMELINE no. 9

THE BABY / CRY

ITS PARENTS /

WHILE...

NOW

While the baby was crying,

its parents woke up.

TIMELINE no. 10

ADAM / PLAY THE PIANO

HIS BROTHER /

WHILE...

NOW

While Adam was playing the piano,

his brother took his wallet.

TIMELINE no. 11

I / LISTEN TO MUSIC

MY FRIEND /

WHEN...

NOW

I was listening to music when my friend called me.

TIMELINE no. 12

BOB / STUDY

HIS SISTER /

WHEN...

NOW

Bob was studying when his sister screamed.

TIMELINE no. 13

SARAH / READ A BOOK

STEVEN /

WHEN...

NOW

Sarah was reading a book when Steven caught a spider.

TIMELINE no. 14

THEY / PAINTING THE KITCHEN

THE PARROT /

WHEN...

NOW

They were painting the kitchen when the parrot flew away.

TIMELINE no. 15

JANE'S MUM /

HER DAUGHTER /

WHEN...

NOW

Jane's mum was sleeping when her daughter got dressed.

TIMELINE no. 16

I / WRITE A POEM

MY CAT /

WHEN...

NOW

I was writing a poem when my cat brought me a dead mouse.

TIMELINE no. 17

MIA AND PETER / TALK

CLARA /

WHEN...

NOW

Mia and Peter were talking when Clara saw a ghost.

TIMELINE no. 18

I / READ A NEWSPAPER

SHE /

WHEN...

NOW

I was reading a newspaper when she ate the last piece of cake.

TIMELINE no. 19

MR BLACK /

HIS STUDENTS / SEND HIM

WHEN...

NOW

Mr Black was doing exercise when his students sent him a message.

TIMELINE no. 20

SHE / GIVE A SPEECH

HER BOYFRIEND/

WHEN...

NOW

She was giving a speech when her boyfriend left the room.

WELL DONE!