Past tense contrast

I was happy to see her, because we .................................... (not see) each other for years.

She (had graduated / graduated) from school in 2001.

The football season (began / was beginning) a month ago

I fell as I .................................... (run) for the bus.

At this time yesterday, I (wrote / was writing) an essay.

They .................................... (get) to the airport as the plane was landing.

The children (were playing / played) in the garden while their parents were watching them.

They (had left / left) many hours before we arrived.

What .................................... she .................................... (say) when he asked her to marry him?

Why .................................... she still .................................... (work) at one o’clock in the morning?

By the time we (got / had got) to the cinema, the film had already started.

She wore the shoes she ..................................... (buy) the previous day.

When I was a student, I .................................... (not have) much money.

By the time we got to the shop, a long queue .................................... already .................................... (form) outside.

I heard a knock at the front door so I (went / was going) to answer it.

We entered the house quietly because everyone (was sleeping / had slept).