Grammar Tests

1. Choose Past Simple or Past Continuous

1. The children (to plant) a tree when their mother (to call) them.

2. When the postman (to arrive), my father (to have) a shower.

3. While my brother (to study), my grandma (to make) some muffins.

4. They (to play) tennis when it began to rain.

5. We (to go) to the movies last night.

6. The thieves (to come) into the house while the man (to sleep).

7. He (to miss) the train because he (to talk) with some friends.

8. I (to go) to the doctor 2 days ago because I (to have) a terrible headache.

9. Max (to drive) his car to work when it broke down.

10. When I got up this morning, the sun (to shine).

Key: 1. were planting, called; 2. arrived, was having; 3. was studying, was making; 4. were playing; 5. went; 6. came, was sleeping; 7. missed, was talking; 8. went, was having; 9. was driving; 10. was shining

2. Write the most suitable words in each gap (ago, yesterday, last, while, when, on, in, at).

1. Tommy’s father worked in that office two years _____.

2. The plane was flying ______ 8 p.m. ______.

3. My best friend went to London ______ month.

4. ______ I was having dinner, my sister was having a shower.

5. ______ did the supermarket close?

6. Your aunt studied German _______ 2001.

7. Rose played in an orchestra _______ she was 12 years old.

8. Jason was swimming ______ his girlfriend was drinking a coke.

9. The TV broke ______ 26th October.

10. ______ did he deliver the shopping?

11. My father’s friend had a baby ______.

12. The suspect can’t have committed the crime. He was having dinner in the restaurant ___ that time ___.

13. My cousin bought the PSP ____ he was in London.

Key: 1. ago; 2. at, yesterday; 3. last; 4. While; 5. When; 6. in; 7. when; 8. while; 9. on; 10. When; 11. yesterday; 12. at, yesterday; 13. when

3. Which sentence is the correct one?

1. a) The men were studying on the new project all day yesterday.

b) The men was studying on the new project all day yesterday.

c) The men studied on the new project all day yesterday.

2. a) When were you finishing your project?

b) When did you finish your project?

c) When were you finish your project?

3. a) You didn’t be in the party yesterday.

b) you didn’t were in the party yesterday.

c) You weren’t in the party yesterday.

4. a) My sister watched TV while his husband was playing with the children.

b) My sister was watching TV while her husband was playing with the children.

c) My sister was watching TV while his husband played with the children.

5. a) The students were talking when the teacher was arriving.

b) The students talked when the teacher was arriving.

c) The students were talking when the teacher arrived.

Key: 1. a; 2. b; 3. c; 4. b; 5. c

4. Fill the gaps with past simple/continuous.

1. Mr. Stevenson _____ (drive) his car while he was listening to some music.

2. Robert _____ (type) the letter last week because his computer was broken.

3. Louis fell asleep while he _____ (study).

4. Lydia was drinking a glass of coke when Peter _____ (come) in.

5. While Michael was jogging, the dog _____ (chase) him.

6. Mrs. Parker _____ (make) some muffins 2 days ago.

7. Sam and Pam _____ (ride) their bikes when they were small.

8. Joe _____ (run) as he was phoning his wife.

Key: 1. was driving; 2. typed; 3. was studying; 4. came; 5. was chasing; 6. made; 7. rode; 8. was running