Casa · B1 Intermediate · Lesson 3 of 20 · Step 1

Storytelling

Past Continuous + Past Simple (Narrative Tenses)

Use the past continuous to set the scene in a story
Combine past continuous and past simple to describe interrupted actions
Tell a short story using narrative tenses effectively

Words · tap a card to see it used

Grammar

Past continuous + past simple (narrative tenses)

Use the past continuous (was/were + -ing) to describe a longer background action or to set the scene. Use the past simple for a shorter, completed action that interrupts the background action. Combine them with 'when' or 'while': 'I was walking home when it started to rain' or 'While she was reading, the phone rang.'

I was walking to work when I saw an old friend.

While they were having dinner, the fire alarm went off.

The sun was shining and birds were singing when we arrived at the park.

She was talking on the phone when she tripped over the cat.

Exercises · type, then check

1. Complete each sentence with the past continuous or past simple form of the verb in brackets.

1.I (read) a book when the doorbell (ring).

2.While we (drive) to the airport, it (start) to snow.

3.She (cook) dinner when she (cut) her finger.

4.The children (play) outside when it (begin) to rain.

5.He (listen) to music, so he (not hear) the knock.

2. Choose the correct combination of tenses.

1. While I ___ for the bus, I ___ an interesting poster.

2. They ___ a film when the power ___ out.

3. She ___ down the street when she ___ into her teacher.

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Reading

An Unexpected Meeting

Last autumn, I was travelling through the south of France by train. It was a grey afternoon, and rain was falling against the windows. I was reading a novel when the train suddenly stopped at a small station. A woman sat down opposite me and smiled. We started talking, and I discovered she was a journalist from Buenos Aires who was writing a book about European railways. We talked for three hours while the train was crossing the countryside. When we arrived in Marseille, we exchanged email addresses. That chance meeting led to a wonderful friendship. Sometimes the best moments in life happen when you are not expecting them.

1. What was the writer doing when the train stopped?

2. What was the woman's profession and what was she doing?

Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone

1Tell your partner about an unexpected event in your life. Set the scene using the past continuous (what were you doing, what was happening around you?) and then describe what happened.

2Work with your partner to create a short story. One person starts with a past continuous sentence (e.g., 'I was walking through the park...'), and the other adds a past simple interruption. Take turns to build the story.

Writing

Write a short story (8–10 sentences) about something surprising or unusual that happened to you. Use the past continuous to set the scene and the past simple for the main events.

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