past simple vs past continuous

1. My mother ……………………. a wonderful meal last night.

What did you do when the storm ……………………. (start)?

Karen ……………………. (sit) in front of the TV when the power went off.

I ……………………. (watch) a documentary about severe weather at 9 pm last night.

We ……………………. (not/go) out at the weekend because it was freezing cold.

It ……………………. (not/snow) when we left but everything was white when we came home.

The children were doing their homework while it ……………………. (rain) outside.

It was a beautiful summer morning. The sun ……………………. (shine) and the birds were singing.

Fiona put on her scarf and gloves and ……………………. (go) out to play in the snow.

I …………….………. (wait) for my mum to pick me up from school.

I  …………….………. (run) to her car and opened the door.