Continuous Past Tenses Worksheet-6

Continuous Past Tenses Worksheet-6

Fill in the blank with the past continuous form of the verb:

1. Sometime back, Jack ____ to his friend; now he is going to meet him.

A. Is talking                                   B. Was talking

C. Are talking                                D. Had been talking

2. Remember the friend I ____ you about yesterday? Here she comes!

A. Had been telling                      B. Am telling

C. Was telling                                D. Were telling

3. She dropped the phone in her haste while she _____ to contact the police.

A. Had been trying                       B. Were trying

C. Is trying                                     D. Was trying

4. The officers ____ the important points when the boss arrived.

A. Are discussing                          B. Was discussing

C. Have been discussing             D. Were discussing

5. Anita ____ her hair when her mother entered her room.

A. Is combing                                B. Were combing

C. Was combing                           D. Has been combing

6. Last Sunday, the twins ____ up to go for a movie.

A. Are dressing                             B. Have been dressing

C. Were dressing                          D. Was dressing

7. When the earthquake struck, everyone ____.

A. Has been sleeping                   B. Were sleeping

C. Is sleeping                                 D. Was sleeping

8. The naughty boys _____ leaves and the gardener caught them.

A. Were plucking                         B. Are plucking

C. Was plucking                           D. Had been plucking

9. While the guests _____ tea, the stage was set.

A. Was drinking                            B. Were drinking

C. Are drinking                             D. Had been drinking

10. All of you _____ for the annual function last week.

A. Was practicing                         B. Are practicing

C. Were practicing                       D. Had been practicing

Answer Key:

1. B

Explanation: ‘Was talking’ is the correct form as ‘Jack’ is a singular subject.

2. C

Explanation: ‘Was telling’ is the correct form as ‘I’ is a singular subject.

3. D

Explanation: ‘Was trying’ is the correct form as ‘she’ is a singular subject.

4. D

Explanation: ‘Were discussing’ is the correct form as ‘officers’ is a plural subject.

5. B

Explanation: ‘Was combing’ is the correct form as ‘Anita’ is a singular subject.

6. C

Explanation: ‘Were dressing’ is the correct form as ‘twins’ is a singular subject.

7. D

Explanation: ‘Was sleeping’ is the correct form as ‘everyone’ is a singular subject.

8. A

Explanation: ‘Were plucking’ is the correct form as ‘boys’ is a plural subject.

9. B

Explanation: ‘Were drinking’ is the correct form as ‘guests’ is a plural subject.

10. C

Explanation: ‘Were practicing’ is the correct form as ‘all of you’ is a plural subject.