Before the Smiths (buy their new house, they (lOok) for a suitable one for a year. 7. Laura (send) us a postcard from her holiday in past continuous • an action that was in progress at a stated time in the past Yesterday at 4 I was talking to Meg 8. As Claire_ (break her mum's vase. (dust) the furniture, she _ (never, be) to the circus before last (study) for the history exam when 12. The alarm Clock m two actions that were happening at the same time Liz was vacuuming while her sons were tidying their room. 12. Mr. Roberts (not, ring) yesterday morning (bel late for work. (work) in the company for six an action that was in progress (longer action) when another aCtion interrupted it When I Came in, Sue was reading. (they, visit) you last time?

Based on the prompts you've provided, it looks like you need help filling in the blanks with the correct verb forms in the past continuous tense and the simple past tense. Here are your sentences completed:

1. Before the Smiths (looked) for a suitable house for a year, they (buy) their new house.
2. Laura (sent) us a postcard from her holiday.
3. As Claire (was dusting) the furniture, she (broke) her mum's vase.
4. Claire (had never been) to the circus before last week.
5. Yesterday at 4, I (was talking) to Meg.
6. The alarm clock (did not ring) yesterday morning.
7. Mr. Roberts (was working) in the company for six years before he (was) late for work.
8. When I came in, Sue (was reading).
9. Liz (was vacuuming) while her sons (were tidying) their room.
10. When did they (visit) you last time?

This structure reflects the usage of the past continuous tense to emphasize ongoing actions, interrupted actions, and actions that were happening at the same time in the past. If you need more examples or clarifications, feel free to ask!