The Simple Past and The Past Progressive

The Simple Past

The Simple Past is used to talk about an activity or situation that began and ended at a particular time in the past. 
Ex: yesterday, last night, two days ago, in 1998 and etc.

Ex in sentences: 
a) Amanda walked to library yesterday.

b) He slept for six hours last night.

______________________________________

The Past Progressive

The Past Progressive expresses an activity that was in progress (was happening) at a point of time in the past.

FORM: was/were + -ing.

Ex: at 6.10 or at the time of another action (ex: when Azwan came).

Ex in sentences: 

a) I sat down at the dinner table at 6.00 P.M. yesterday. Azwan came to my house at 6.10 P.M. I was eating dinner when Azwan came.

Explanation: eating was in progress at 6.10 P.M; eating was in progress when Azwan came. 

6.00 P.M

6.10 P.M

b) I went to bed at 10.00 P.M. The phone rang at 11.00 P.M. I was sleeping when the phone rang. 

10.00 P.M

11.00 P.M