'While' is used to express two continuous 'When' is used to express an action happened in

actions happened at the same time. the course of another action.

Example: While you were sleeping , I was Example: When we were in the city center
doing the housework. , we went to nice restaurants.

' While' or 'When' is used when a continuous 'When' is used to express an action happened
long action is interrupted by a short action. immediately after another action.
Example: (while) I was doing homework , (when) Example: When Joe shouted at Tina , she left
my mother knocked at the door. him in the cafe and went away.

Fill in the blanks with 'WHEN' or Comple the sentences with 'Past
'WHILE' Simple' or 'Past Continuous' using
1. ______ my father was reading a book , my the verbs in brackets
mother was looking at the family album.
1. Mr.Thompson ______________ (drive) very
2. I was having a shower , ______ my friend
fast when he hit a tree.
broke my mother's favourite vase.
2. Jack ______________ (milk) the cows when
3. ______ the teacher came into the classroom
a stranger came into the barn.
,some students were arguing with each other.
3. Susan ______________ (see) the burglar
4. I arrived home , ______ all the guests were
while he was rushing into his car.
having tea and biscuits.
4. My uncle ______________ (listen) to the
5. ______ she was a little girl , she visited her
radio when the earthquake happened.
relatives with her mother.
5. The old lady was trying to cross the street
6. I liked working in group and pairs , ______ I
when a boy ______________ (offer) help.
was a secondary school student.
6. All the children ______________ (sleep)
7. ______ Sue was waiting for the 12 o'clock
when their father opened the front door.
train , she met an old friend.
7. While Mr.Triump ______________ (fix) the
8. The Pearsons were having a large breakfast ,
television , he fell asleep.
______ the doorbell rang.
8. Tina was playing with her dolls when her
9. My father was waiting in the car , ______
brother _____________ (finish) his
my mother was doing shopping.
homework.
10.What were you doing ______ the teacher
9. I was working on the Science project when
looked at you suddenly.
you ______________ (come) into the room
11. ______ the train left , Thomas was rushing
with a big chocolate cake in your hand.
to the station.
10.The children ______________ (play) tennis
12.The electricity went of , ______ we were
when their grandmother called them for
watching a horror film.
lunch.
13. ______ Mathew was going to the library ,
11.Jack and Steven ______________ (have)
he saw a car accident on Mapple Street.
when the heard a strange noise.
14.The baby boy started crying , ______ his
12.My brother was tidying the bookcase while I
mother was combing her hair.
______________ (make) the beds.
15. ______ the mother was doing the washing
13.What ______________ (you do) when
up , the twins were sweeping the floor.
your father came home from work?
16.The sun was rising , ______ we reached
14.Who ______________ (speak) while the
the summit of the mountain.
teacher was introducing the new subject?
17. ______ Susan entered the living room ,
15.I suddenly ______________ (fall down)
everybody began singing 'Happy Birthday'.
while I was running away from the monster
18.Mr.Robinson fell off the tree ______ he
in my dream.I ______________ (shout)
was looking at the little bird's nest.
when it caught my hand.
19. ______ I dropped the vase , it broke into
16.Mary ______________ (look) out of the
pieces.
window when it started raining.
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