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When and While Worksheet - B1

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
947 views3 pages

When and While Worksheet - B1

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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TEACHER'S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S When and While

Activity Type Introduction


Grammar Exercises: In this when and while worksheet, students practice three rules
gap-fill, binary choice, associated with using when and while with the past simple and
changing word forms, past continuous.
identifying, sentence
completion Procedure
Students begin by completing two grammar rules and examples
Focus for using the past simple and past continuous with when and
while.
When and while
Exercise A - Answer key
Past simple and past
continuous 1. when 2. while

Students then underline the correct past tenses in a set of


Aim sentences using the two rules.
To practice three rules
Exercise B - Answer key
associated with using
when and while with the 1. was walking / started 5. were working / went
past simple and past 2. were eating / rang 6. was texting / was talking
continuous. 3. was doing / was making 7. was sleeping / were watching
4. were playing / heard 8. was cleaning / fell
Preparation Next, students complete a short story with verbs in brackets in
Make one copy of the their past simple or past continuous form using the rules.
two-page worksheet for
Exercise C - Answer key
each student.
1. was finishing 5. was cutting 9. were cleaning
2. heard 6. was doing 10. called
Level 3. went 7. apologized 11. was listening
Intermediate (B1) 4. saw 8. helped 12. was preparing

After that, students are introduced to another rule for using when
Time and while. Students then indicate whether they can use when,
while or both as the missing word in each sentence.
30 minutes
Exercise D - Answer key

1. when 2. both 3. when 4. both 5. both 6. when

Finally, students complete sentences with their own ideas using


the grammar rules from the second page.

Exercise E - Answer key

1. when + past simple 7. when + past simple


2. when/while + past continuous 8. when + past simple
3. when/while + past continuous 9. past continuous
4. when + past simple 10. when + past simple
5. when/while + past continuous 11. when + past simple
6. when/while + past continuous 12. past continuous

Note: This resource can be edited using a PDF editor.

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PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S When and While

A. Complete the two grammar rules and examples for using the past simple and past
continuous with when and while.

1. ................. is used when you have a past continuous action followed by a past simple
action. The past simple action often interrupts the continuous one.

Example: I was watching a film ................. the phone rang.

2. ................. is used for two past continuous actions that happen at the same time.

Example: I was watching a film ................. my brother was talking on the phone.

B. Using the two rules, underline the correct past tenses in each sentence.

1. Anna walked / was walking in the park when it started / was starting to rain.

2. We ate / were eating lunch when the doorbell rang / was ringing.

3. I did / was doing my homework while my mum made / was making dinner.

4. The children played / were playing cards when they heard / were hearing a scream.

5. We worked / were working when the fire alarm went / was going off.

6. Sheila texted / was texting her friend while her mum talked / was talking to her.

7. Amelia slept / was sleeping while her parents watched / were watching TV.

8. I cleaned / was cleaning the floor when the vase fell / was falling off the table.

C. Following the rules above, complete the story with the verbs in brackets in their
past simple or past continuous form.

Yesterday, I (1) ......................... (finish) my English homework

in my bedroom when I (2) ......................... (hear) a loud crash.

I (3) ......................... (go) outside and (4) .........................

(see) tree branches and leaves everywhere. It turned out my

neighbour (5) ......................... (cut) down his tree while I

(6) ......................... (do) my homework. He (7) ......................... (apologize) to me and

then I (8) ......................... (help) him clean up the mess. We (9) ......................... (clean)

when my mum (10) ......................... (call) me in for dinner. She didn't hear the loud noise

because she (11) ......................... (listen) to music on her headphones while she

(12) ......................... (prepare) dinner.

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PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S When and While

Both when and while can also be used when you have a past simple action that comes
before a past continuous action.

Example: He lost his wallet when/while we were shopping.

Remember, if you have a past continuous action followed by a past simple action, you
can only use when.

Examples: We were shopping when he lost his wallet. (right)

We were shopping while he lost his wallet. (wrong)

D. Using the two rules above, indicate whether you can use when, while or both as
the missing word in each sentence.

1. I was washing my hair ............... the power went out. when / while / both

2. I hurt my back ............... I was lifting the piano. when / while / both

3. She was setting the table ............... she dropped the fork. when / while / both

4. The school bus arrived ............... I was talking to my friend. when / while / both

5. Tim broke his leg ............... he was snowboarding. when / while / both

6. I was taking a photo ............... the accident happened. when / while / both

E. Complete the sentences with your own ideas using the grammar rules above.

1. I was listening to the radio .........................................................................................

2. It started to rain .......................................................................................................

3. Someone knocked the door ........................................................................................

4. She was cooking dinner .............................................................................................

5. The girl cut her finger ................................................................................................

6. My computer crashed ................................................................................................

7. I was playing video games .........................................................................................

8. He was doing the laundry ..........................................................................................

9. I heard a loud noise while ..........................................................................................

10. I was playing football ..............................................................................................

11. I was driving to work ...............................................................................................

12. Someone stole my bag when ....................................................................................

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