Question

put the verbs in brackets into the past indefinite and the past continuous.
1. Mary (play) the piano. 2. John (read)

Answer 1

1.Mary played the piano
Mary was playing the piano
2.John read
John was reading

Answer 2

1) the past indefinite: Mary played 
    the past countinious Mary was playing
2) John read
    John was reading 
Ну вот так, а вообще там от контекста зависит.