Симсп или континиюс. (a) the sun was shining and the birds (sing) as mike (drive) down the country lane. he (smile) because he (look forward) to the journey ahead. mike (enjoy) driving, especially when he (go) somewhere new. then, suddenly, the engine (begin) to make a strange noise and the car (stop) dead in the middle of the road. mike (try) to start it, but nothing (happen). he (sigh), then (get out) of the car. as he (push) the car to the side of the road, mike (start) to wish he had stayed at home. (b) john (enter) his flat and (close) the door. he (hang up) his coat when he (hear) a strange noise. a tap (run) in the kitchen. he (walk) into the kitchen and (turn) it off. then, he (freeze). someone (stand) behind him. he (take) a deep breath and (turn) around. his flatmate, steve, (lean) in the doorway. "you (give) me a fright! " john exclaimed. steve (laugh) at him. john (start) to laugh, too. "i (think) you had gone to london today," he said. "no," (reply) steve. "unfortunately, i (miss) the train."

(A)  The sun was shining and the birds were singing as Mike was driving down the country lane. He was smiling because he was looking forward to the journey ahead. Mike enjoyed driving, especially when he went somewhere new. Then, suddenly, the engine began to make a strange noise and the car stopped dead in the middle of the road. Mike tried to start it, but nothing happened. He sighed, then got out of the car. As he was pushing the car to the side of the road, Mike started to wish he had stayed at home.(B)   John entered his flat and closed the door. He was hanging up his coat when he heard a strange noise. A tap was running in the kitchen. He walked into the kitchen and turned it off. Then, he froze. Someone was standing behind him. He took a deep breath and turned around. His flatmate, Steve, leaned in the doorway. "You gave me a fright!" John exclaimed. Steve was laughing at him. John started to laugh, too. "I thought you had gone to London today," he said. "No," replied Steve. "Unfortunately, I missed the train."