Usage Examples Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

• What were they doing when you arrived at the party? -
• We were playing tennis when Alex hurt his wrist. -
• The children were playing in the park when it started to rain. -
• I met Elisa when I was going to work. -
• I was reading when the doorbell rang. -
• I was standing in the line when I saw Mary. -
• Paula was running when the storm started. -
• Why was Lucy smoking at the party? -
• Who did you see at the train station? -
• I was watching television when my mother came home. -
• Was your grandmother working when she met your grandfather? -
• I was studying at the library all day yesterday. -
• Emma called me when I was sitting on the train. -
• I went to Tokyo last month. -
• My mother bought a new bag yesterday. -
• Why were you crying when I met you? -
• Were they studying at this time yesterday? -
• Were they smiling when they saw you? -
• Were you sleeping when everything happened? -
• Susie was watching a film when she heard the noise. -