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Past Continuous Exercises PDFSet 8: Background Description in Narratives

20 questions·14 min·Answers included·Explanations included

Preview: Questions

Fill in the blank with the correct option.

1.It was a beautiful evening. The sun ___ (set) and the sky was turning orange.

a) setb) were settingc) setsd) was setting

2.The streets were empty. Only a few cars ___ (pass) by occasionally.

a) passedb) passc) were passingd) was passing

3.It was midnight. The wind ___ (howl) outside and rain was hitting the windows.

a) howlb) were howlingc) was howlingd) howled

4.In the park, children ___ (play), dogs were running, and people were enjoying the sunshine.

a) playedb) was playingc) were playingd) play

5.The café was busy. Customers ___ (chat) and waiters were rushing between tables.

a) were chattingb) chattedc) chatd) was chatting

... and 15 more questions in the PDF

Preview: Answers

1.was setting

2.were passing

3.was howling

4.were playing

5.were chatting

... and 15 more answers in the PDF

Preview: Explanations

1."was setting"(d)

Use Past Continuous to describe the background scene. 'The sun was setting' creates atmosphere.

2."were passing"(c)

Use Past Continuous to describe ongoing background activity in the scene.

3."was howling"(c)

Use Past Continuous to set a dramatic atmosphere for a story.

4."were playing"(c)

Multiple Past Continuous verbs create a vivid scene with many activities happening.

5."were chatting"(a)

Past Continuous describes the busy atmosphere of the café.

... and 15 more explanations in the PDF

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