Usage Examples Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

• My mother bought a new bag yesterday. -
• Why were you crying when I met you? -
• I went to Tokyo last month. -
• The bird was singing in the garden when the cat attacked it. -
• My granddad went to see a doctor on Friday. -
• Maddie came back at midnight. -
• I was reading when the doorbell rang. -
• What were you doing at eight o'clock last night? -
• Were they studying at this time yesterday? -
• I was studying at the library all day yesterday. -
• I met Elisa when I was going to work. -
• Paula was running when the storm started. -
• Which shop did Tom go yesterday? -
• Why was Lucy smoking at the party? -
• Where was Rob going when he lost his phone? -
• Were you sleeping when everything happened? -
• My mother was cooking for five hours on Sunday. -
• I broke my leg when I was skiing. -
• What were they doing when you arrived at the party? -
• Emma called me when I was sitting on the train. -