B1 Writing

1. Fill the gap: Continuous actions

Complete the sentences using the Past Continuous (affirmative or negative) form of the verbs in brackets.

1. At 7 PM yesterday, I dinner (cook).

2. The children a movie all afternoon (watch).

3. It when we left the house (not / rain).

4. My sister when I called her (study).

5. They in the garden because it was cold (not / play).

Answer Key: 1. was cooking, 2. were watching, 3. was not raining / wasn't raining, 4. was studying, 5. were not playing / weren't playing.

2. Transform: Yes/No questions

Rewrite the following affirmative sentences into Past Continuous Yes/No questions. Write the complete question.

1. They were playing football at 4 PM.

2. Sarah was studying for her exam all night.

3. You were waiting for the bus outside.

4. The dog was barking at the postman.

5. I was reading the newspaper this morning.

Answer Key: 1. Were they playing football at 4 PM? 2. Was Sarah studying for her exam all night? 3. Were you waiting for the bus outside? 4. Was the dog barking at the postman? 5. Was I reading the newspaper this morning?

3. Create: Wh-questions

Write a past continuous wh-question for each underlined answer. Focus on What, Where, Who, or Why.

1. I was reading a fascinating book at 9 a.m.

2. He was going to the new museum.

3. My mother was making dinner when I arrived.

4. The children were shouting and running in the park.

5. She was crying because she failed the test.

Answer Key: 1. What were you reading at 9 a.m.? 2. Where was he going? 3. Who was making dinner when you arrived? 4. What were the children doing in the park? 5. Why was she crying?

4. Short Story: What Was NOT Happening?

Write a short paragraph (5 sentences) describing a party or event you went to. Use the Past Continuous negative at least five times to say what wasn't happening there.

Example: The music wasn't playing loudly, and the DJ wasn't talking to the crowd. My friends weren't dancing.

5. Match & Answer

Look at the question. Provide a short, relevant Past Continuous answer (affirmative or negative). Pay attention to the subject/pronoun!

1. Was your brother working late yesterday? →

2. What were they arguing about? →

3. Were you sleeping at 10 AM? (Answer negatively) →

4. Where was Jane hiding? →

5. Was I talking too loudly? (Answer affirmatively) →

Answer Key: 1. Yes, he was. / No, he wasn't. 2. They were arguing about the new movie. 3. No, I wasn't. 4. Jane was hiding under the table. 5. Yes, you were.

6. Ask for a Reason: Why?

Create a Past Continuous "Why" question for each scenario.

1. Scenario: Your friend looked tired this morning. Question: so late last night?

2. Scenario: The car was making a strange noise. Question: so loudly?

3. Scenario: The children were shouting. Question: so much noise?

4. Scenario: Your boss was angry. Question: the wrong thing?

5. Scenario: They didn't come to the meeting. Question: with the team?

Answer Key: 1. Why were you working/studying/staying up so late last night? 2. Why was the engine/car making that strange noise/sound so loudly? 3. Why were the children making so much noise? 4. Why was he/she doing the wrong thing? 5. Why were they not meeting/collaborating with the team?

7. Time Context: Specific Moment

Write a complete sentence in the Past Continuous for each specific time about what *you* or *someone you know* were doing.

1. At 6:00 AM this morning:

2. All day last Saturday:

3. Between 3 PM and 4 PM yesterday:

4. At midnight last night:

5. The whole evening:

Example: 1. I was sleeping at 6:00 AM this morning. 2. My friends were helping me move all day last Saturday. 3. I was attending an online class between 3 PM and 4 PM yesterday. 4. My neighbours were having a loud party at midnight last night. 5. We were watching an old movie the whole evening.