1 when the old man got up/had got up to speak, everyone applauded. 2). they were chatting as if they knew/had known each other all their lives. 3). i was taking/took an umbrella because it was raining/rained. 4). it was a cold winter tonight. it was snowing/snowed hard and i was wanting/wanted to get back home quickly.

Had got up
had known
took
was raining
was snowing
was waiting

23 февраля, День Защитника Отечества, ставший поистине народным мужским днем не только в России, но и на обломках когда-то могущественного СССР. Его празднуют еще и в Украине, Белоруссии, Приднестровье и Казахстане.

Как появился эта красная дата в наших календарях? История праздника 23 февраля – с далекого 1918 до наших дней.                           February 23, Fatherland Defender's Day became a truly national men's day, not only in Russia, but on the ruins of the once mighty Soviet Union. It is celebrated also in Ukraine, Belarus, Transnistria and Kazakhstan.

How did this red date in our calendars? The history of the holiday, February 23 – from the distant 1918 to the present day.

 

The biggest event in Tom’s life (happened) by chance. He (was) 22 and he (had just/left) college. He (had got) his degree and he was looking for a job. He (wanted) to be a journalist but he (knew) he (did not/have) enough experience. You see, as a student, he (spent most of his time in the university theatre. He (had written) to all the newspapers, but he (did not/receive) any replies. Then one day the phone (rang). It was a woman who (offered) him a job as an actor. She (had seen) him in a play at the university and (enjoyed) the performance. He (took) the job and since then he’s been very successful. Last night he (discovered) he (had won) an award for his performance in the play.