What were you doing when your colleagues (коллега) came to congratulate (поздравить) you?

What was Ann doing when you came to see (приходить навестить) her?

***

What were the children doing when you came to school?

What was she doing while Ann was writing her account (отчет).

What were you doing while Ann was watching TV (смотреть телевизор)?

What was she doing while you were cutting (резать) cucumbers (огурец) and tomatoes for salad?

What were you doing while he was fixing up (ремонтировать, чинить) the car?

***

What was Alex doing from 9 till 10 yesterday morning? I couldn’t find him.

What were they doing all day long? Why haven’t they done anything?

Where were they going? – They were probably (вероятно) going to their work.

What were they looking through? – They were looking through their essays (реферат).

What were you doing? – I was looking for (искать) my summary (конспект).

What were you doing an hour ago (час тому назад)? – I was looking for (искать) my notes (запись, заметка).

The alternative questions

Were you waiting for me or not? Oh, yes, we were. We are really glad to see you at our place (у нас дома).

Was he sending an E-mail message when I called him or not? Yes, he was.

Were they seeing off (провожать) their guests when Ann came or were they keeping them back (удерживать, не отпускать)? Yes, theу were keeping them back.

Was the child smiling when they took his photo or was he just interested in the camera? I think, he was interested in the camera.

Were the boys playing football when you came or weren’t they? No, they weren’t, they were playing tennis.

Were you writing your essay when they came or were you doing something else (заниматься чем-то другим)? I wasn’t writing my essay when they came. I was tidying up (делать уборку) the room.