Usage Examples Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

• I was standing in the line when I saw Mary. -
• Were they studying at this time yesterday? -
• Why was Lucy smoking at the party? -
• Who was Alessia talking to when you saw her? -
• The bird was singing in the garden when the cat attacked it. -
• I wanted to call my mum but I called you instead. -
• I was reading when the doorbell rang. -
• The children were playing in the park when it started to rain. -
• When I woke up, it was snowing. -
• Was Anna having a shower when an earthquake began? -
• Which song were you singing when I came in? -
• What were they doing when you arrived at the party? -
• My mother was cooking for five hours on Sunday. -
• Just as Ted was finishing his homework, he remembered another exercise he had to do. -
• My wife arrived when I was having a bath. -
• We were playing tennis when Alex hurt his wrist. -
• My best friend graduated from the university in June. -
• Emma called me when I was sitting on the train. -
• I met Elisa when I was going to work. -
• Anna was sleeping when the burglars broke into her house. -