Grammar: Past Progressive, When, Adverbs of Degree & Could/Was Able To
English Grade 8 (Super Goal 2) · Unit 15: Today's News · Lesson 15-2 · Term 2
Also known as: Past progressive · When · Adverbs of degree
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Lesson idea
Describe actions in progress in the past; show a longer action interrupted by a shorter one with when; use adverbs of degree; talk about past ability with could and was/were able to.
Key points
- Past progressive: was/were + verb-ing: I was sleeping. They weren't sleeping. Were you sleeping? – Yes, I was.
- Longer action (past progressive) + when + shorter action (simple past): I was taking a shower when the telephone rang.
- Adverbs of degree go before the main verb and before adjectives/adverbs: I absolutely agree. He can hardly stand up. He is completely exhausted.
- could / was able to = general past ability. For one specific past action use was/were able to, NOT could: He was able to rescue his grandson.
Vocabulary
Lesson questions (15)
- I ____ a shower when the telephone rang.
Answer: was taking - The students ____ for the bus when the rain started.
Answer: were waiting - Jack was sleeping when he ____ the noise.
Answer: heard - "What were you doing when I called you?" – "____"
Answer: I was taking a shower. - "Was he sleeping?" – "No, he ____."
Answer: wasn't - Asma was cooking dinner when the electricity ____ out.
Answer: went - Marta was sitting in the backseat ____ a stranger pushed her father.
Answer: when - I ____ agree with you. (100%)
Answer: absolutely - You ____ missed your flight! (very nearly)
Answer: almost - He is so tired that he can ____ stand up.
Answer: hardly - Jason got 30%. Jason ____ failed the test.
Answer: completely - Mark got 58% (60% = pass). Mark ____ passed the test.
Answer: almost - I ____ run fast when I was young. (general ability)
Answer: could - The grandfather ____ rescue his grandson. (one specific action)
Answer: was able to - They ____ see in the dark.
Answer: weren't able to
More lessons in Unit 15: Today's News
Questions about this lesson
How do we form the past progressive?
was/were + ing: I was taking a shower.
What is the difference between the past progressive and the simple past?
The progressive is for a longer event, and the simple past is for the short event that interrupted it: I was taking a shower when the phone rang.
What is the difference between could and was able to?
could is for general ability, and was able to is for ability in a specific situation.
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You can play it in The Hunter, Complete the sentence, Match Up, Matching pairs and the other games and activities on Hessa Play.