Simple Past vs. Past Progressive Practice 1 Simple Past Past Progressie use with the action that interrupts use with the ongoing action My husband called while I was making dinner Fill in the blanks with the correct tense (simple past or past progressive). 1. While 11 TV, the doorbell (watch/ring) 2. Jack his presentation when the fire alarm (finish/start) 3. Just as my front door, a cat inside. (open/run) 4. My mom me while dinner. (telephoneleat) 5. While 11 to work, 11 an accident. (walk/witness) 6. When the mailman my exercises. (come/do) 7. When I my alarm clock (wake up/ring) 8. Peter me while on the train. (phone/sit) 9. While 11 out the window, it to rain. (look/start) 10. As 11 the building, a police car through the gate. (leave/drive)