Tina, school teacher
While Tina was leading a class trip to the science museum, the lights suddenly went out. The hall was quiet, but the emergency signs were glowing red. Tina stayed calm. She spoke clearly, counted her students, and moved them toward the exit. Just as the doors were closing, she noticed Mia was missing.

Tina turned back, found her near the space exhibit, and guided her out. When the power came back, the class cheered. Tina smiled; her plan worked.

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Grammar Box: Past Simple vs Past Continuous (with while/when)

Form

• Past Simple: V2 / ed → visited, stopped, noticed
• Past Continuous: was/were + V-ing → was leading, were glowing

Use

• Past Simple = finished action/event.
  Tina noticed Mia.
• Past Continuous = background/long action in progress.
  Tina was leading a trip.

Interruptions

• While + Past Continuous (background) , Past Simple (short event).
  While Mike was climbing the ladder, the banner ripped.
• When + Past Simple (short event) + Past Continuous (in progress).
  John was driving when the GPS froze.

Two simultaneous long actions

• While + Past Continuous + Past Continuous.
  While Louise was paddling, the tide was rising.

Sequencing finished actions

• Past Simple + Past Simple.
  He radioed his team and set the ladder.

Signal words

• Past Continuous: while, as, at that moment, still
• Past Simple: suddenly, then, after, when (for the instant)

Punctuation tip

• If the while/when clause comes first, use a comma.
  While the signs were glowing, Tina guided the class.

Activity 1:

1. Where were Tina and her students when the lights went out?
2. Why did Tina turn back before leaving the museum?
3. While Tina ________ (lead) a class trip, the lights went out.
4. The emergency signs ________ (glow) red.
5. She ________ (notice) that Mia was missing and guided her out.

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Mike, firefighter
Mike was checking hydrants on a windy afternoon when a giant shop banner started tearing loose. It whipped above a busy street, and a cat was clinging to the corner. People gasped while the fabric was flapping hard.

Mike radioed his team, set a ladder, and clipped his harness. He reached out slowly, talked to the cat, and lifted it into his jacket. The banner ripped free as he stepped down, but he landed safely. The crowd clapped, and the cat purred.

Activity 2:

1. Where was Mike when the banner started tearing loose?
2. What did Mike do before he climbed the ladder?
3. While the wind ________ (whip) the banner, Mike ________ (reach) for the cat.
4. He ________ (radio) his team and ________ (set) the ladder.
5. The banner ________ (rip) free as he ________ (step) down.

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Louise, vet
Louise was examining a rescue dog near the harbour when she heard a splash. A small crate was floating away, and the tide was rising fast. Inside, a nervous puppy was whining.

Louise grabbed a life vest and a paddleboard—she practiced paddleboarding every weekend—then pushed off. While the water was pulling her sideways, she kept her balance and reached the crate. She lifted the puppy out, wrapped it in a dry towel, and checked its heartbeat. The puppy licked her face.

Activity 3:

1. Where was Louise when she heard the splash?
2. What was inside the floating crate?
3. She ________ (hear) a splash while she ________ (examine) a rescue dog.
4. Louise ________ (grab) a life vest and ________ (push) off on her paddleboard.
5. While the water ________ (pull) her sideways, she ________ (keep) her balance and ________ (reach) the crate.

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John, bus driver
John was driving the morning route when his GPS froze. Ahead, the river bridge was opening for a ship, but the warning barriers were stuck. Traffic was rolling forward. John hit his lights, braked smoothly, and spoke over the intercom.

He kept everyone seated while he called control. Then he used his cyclist’s map knowledge to plan a safe detour. As the bridge finished rising, his bus turned down a side street. The passengers relaxed, and John finished the route on time.

1. What was happening to the bridge when John approached it?
2. What did John use to plan a safe detour?
3. While the bridge ________ (rise), traffic ________ (roll) forward.
4. John ________ (hit) his lights and ________ (brake) smoothly.
5. He ________ (finish) the route on time after he ________ (turn) down a side street.