To properly complete the exercise with the verbs in the past continuous or past simple tenses, we need to understand the context and the sequence of events. The past continuous tense is used for actions that were ongoing at a particular moment in the past, while the past simple is used for actions that happened and were completed in the past.
Here is the passage with the correct verb forms:
It 1) was (be) a beautiful spring morning when Emma and her father 2) decided (decide) to visit Seaton Castle. The sun 3) was shining (shine) and the birds 4) were singing (sing). Emma 5) felt (feel) very excited. The castle 6) was (be) very old and made of stone. They 7) climbed (climb) the steps to the top of the tower. While they 8) were admiring (admire) the view, they 9) heard (hear) some noises. They 10) looked (look) around but they 11) didn't see (not/see) anybody. "That’s funny," said Emma. "I 12) think (think) I 13) saw (see) someone standing over there." After a while, they 14) decided (decide) to visit the cellar of the castle. Emma 15) was examining (examine) an old barrel when she 16) heard (hear) the door of the cellar close behind them. "Dad," she 17) said (say), "don’t close the door!" "But, I 18) didn't close (not/close) it, dear," her father said. Emma 19) turned (turn) around and 20) saw (see) a shadow on the wall. She 21) knew (know) then that the ghost of Seaton Castle 22) was watching (watch) them!
Explanation of the choices:
- was: Simple past tense to set the scene.
- decided: Simple past tense because the decision was a completed action.
- was shining and were singing: Past continuous to describe ongoing background activities.
- felt: Simple past tense to describe Emma's completed emotional response.
- was: Simple past tense to describe the state of the castle.
- climbed: Simple past tense to describe the completed action of climbing.
- were admiring: Past continuous to describe the ongoing action interrupted by hearing noises.
- heard: Simple past tense to describe the completed action of hearing.
- looked: Simple past tense to describe the completed action of looking around.
- didn't see: Simple past tense to describe the completed action of not seeing anyone.
- think and saw: Simple past tense for Emma's completed thoughts and sight.
- decided: Simple past tense to describe another completed decision.
- was examining: Past continuous to describe the ongoing action interrupted by hearing the door close.
- heard: Simple past tense to describe the completed action of hearing again.
- said: Simple past tense to describe Emma's completed speech.
- didn't close: Simple past tense to describe the father's completed denial.
- turned and saw: Simple past tense to describe Emma's completed actions.
- knew: Simple past tense to describe Emma's realization.
- was watching: Past continuous to describe the ongoing action of the ghost watching them.
This exercise helps to differentiate between actions that were ongoing in the past and those that were completed.
