We can complete the sentences considering that the past continuous indicates the action that was taking place when another action happened (simple past).

Were... driving? / stopped

was snowing / left

didn't see / was working

called / was talking

were studying / met

Were... living / had

<h3>What is the simple past tense?</h3>

The simple past tense is the form of the verb we use to indicate that an action took place in the past. We use the simple past tense when the action has already finished.

Examples:

Affirmative: I saw you at the party last night.

Negative: I didn't see you at the party last night.

Interrogative: Did you see me at the party last night?

<h3>What is the past continuous tense?</h3>

The past continuous tense is used to indicate that an action had a longer duration in the past, that is, that it started in the past, lasted for a while, and then ended.

Examples:

Affirmative: She was watching her favorite cartoon.

Negative: She wasn't watching her favorite cartoon.

Interrogative: Was she watching her favorite cartoon.

The two tenses can be used in the same sentence to indicate that one action - simple past - interrupted another action - past continuous - or happened while the other action was taking place.

Example: