Question

I. David’s colleague Jack (who doesn’t have enough work to do) has tried to phone him several times without success. Complete their conversation by putting the verbs in brackets into the correct form of the Past Continuous.

David’s Activities – Wednesday

9.00 – 10.00 make some phone calls to clients
10.00 – 11.00 see Sue Tims (her office)
11.00 – 11.15 have coffee with JC (canteen)
11.15 - 1.00 meeting with designer
1.00 - 2.00 lunch with designer

JACK: I rang at 9.15 and again at 9.30 but the phone was engaged. Who (1) were you talking (you/talk) to?
DAVID: Oh, I (2) _______________ (call) some clients.
JACK: And I tried again at 10.15, but there was no reply.
DAVID: At 10.15? I think (3) _______________ (discuss) the new catalogue with Sue Tims.
JACK: And then I rang back again at 11.10.
DAVID: Yes, I was out. I (4) _______________ (have) a coffee in the canteen.
JACK: I thought so, so I rang again at 11.30.
DAVID: I was out again. The new designer and I (5) _______________ (organize) the artwork for some adverts.
JACK: What (6) _______________ (you/do) at 1.30, then? I called again, and tried to leave a message but even the answering machine (7) _______________ (not/work)!
DAVID: I’d better have a look at it, but the designer and I (8) _______________ (have) lunch. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?
JACK: Oh, nothing special. I just wanted to try out my new mobile phone.

Answer 1

JACK: I rang at 9.15 and again at 9.30 but the phone was engaged. Who (1) were you talking to?
DAVID: Oh, I (2) was calling some clients.
JACK: And I tried again at 10.15, but there was no reply.
DAVID: At 10.15? I think (3) were discussing the new catalogue with Sue Tims.
JACK: And then I rang back again at 11.10.
DAVID: Yes, I was out. I (4) was having a coffee in the canteen.
JACK: I thought so, so I rang again at 11.30.
DAVID: I was out again. The new designer and I (5) were organizing the artwork for some adverts.
JACK: What (6) were you doing at 1.30, then? I called again, and tried to leave a message but even the answering machine (7) was not working!
DAVID: I’d better have a look at it, but the designer and I (8) are having lunch. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?
JACK: Oh, nothing special. I just wanted to try out my new mobile phone.