Usage Examples Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

• What were they doing when you arrived at the party? -
• I went to Tokyo last month. -
• I was standing in the line when I saw Mary. -
• Were you sleeping when everything happened? -
• Anna was sleeping when the burglars broke into her house. -
• Susie was watching a film when she heard the noise. -
• I wanted to call my mum but I called you instead. -
• I broke my leg when I was skiing. -
• I was reading when the doorbell rang. -
• Someone took a picture of Tom while he was sitting on a bench. -
• Were they studying at this time yesterday? -
• When I woke up, it was snowing. -
• My mother was cooking for five hours on Sunday. -
• Which song were you singing when I came in? -
• What were you doing at eight o'clock last night? -
• Were they smiling when they saw you? -
• Lisa was studying when Joe called her. -
• We were playing tennis when Alex hurt his wrist. -
• Which shop did Tom go yesterday? -
• Where was Rob going when he lost his phone? -