I. Complete the text using the verbs in the Past Simple Tense. What's the Matter?
Yesterday Helen (wake) up at seven thirty. She (have) a quick shower, a cup of coffee, (get) into her car and (drive) to work. She (find) a parking space outside the office door. "That's very strange," she (think); usually there (be) a lot of cars outside the office and she (leave) her car in another street.
The door was locked when she (try) to open it. This was very unusual. She (look) at her watch... it (be) exactly nine o'clock! "The door is never locked at nine o'clock," she (say) to herself. She (take) out her key and (unlock) the door.
As she (walk) into the office, Helen (see) that all the windows were closed. It was summer and her secretary (open) the windows and curtains when she (arrive) in the morning. But Helen's secretary (not/be) at her desk this morning. "Is there anybody here?" she (shout) nervously. There (be) no answer.
Helen (go) to her office and (sit) down behind her desk. What was the matter? Where was everyone? Then she (see) her diary on the desk. "Oh no!" she (say). "Today is Sunday!"
II. Open the brackets using the correct form (the Past Simple or Past Continuous).
1. Whom you (meet) this time yesterday?
2. Bill Gates (found) Microsoft in 1976.
3. The professor (look) at the students and then (begin) to speak.
4. What for Albert Einstein (receive) the Nobel Prize?
5. While I (visit) the exhibition at the National Museum, my little sister (walk) in the park.
6. Yesterday I (find) a very interesting article about dreams when I (look) through scientific journals.
III. Ask questions of 4 types to the sentences:
1. Alex was trying to learn the theorem by heart from 3 till 4 o’clock yesterday.
2. Helen went to Italy last year.
IV. Complete the sentences saying what someone was doing when another action occurred in the past.
1. While my friend was writing a program .
2. While I was speaking on the phone .
3. When the lecturer came in .
4. When I entered the computer room .
5. When the e-mail arrived .
6. The moment she started her presentation .
7. While I was working in the computer lab .
V. How did you spend last summer? Write an essay (at least 10 sentences).