Choose the most appropriate verb form to fill in the blank in the following sentence:-
When the Principal entered the class, a student _____ on the blackboard.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → was writing
The sentence describes an action that was in progress in the past when another, single action interrupted it or occurred simultaneously.
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The action of the Principal entering the class ("entered" - Simple Past) is the shorter, completed action.
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The action of the student writing ("was writing" - Past Continuous) is the longer action that was ongoing when the Principal entered.
The structure is :When + Simple Past (interrupting action), + Past Continuous (ongoing action).
Completed sentence: "When the Principal entered the class, a student was writing on the blackboard."