Past tense contrast: descriptions vs. completed actions

QuestionAnswer
to shine
briller
the wind
le vent
to blow
souffler
The sun was shining when the wind began to blow.
Le soleil brillait quand le vent a commencé à souffler.
while
pendant que
the storm (m)
l'orage
to break out
éclater
While the sun was shining, a storm broke out.
Pendant que le soleil brillait, un orage a éclaté.
the branch
la branche
to tremble
trembler
The branches were trembling because the wind was strong.
Les branches tremblaient parce que le vent était fort.
the flash of lightning (m)
l'éclair
A big flash of lightning struck the tree while we were eating.
Un grand éclair a frappé l'arbre pendant que nous mangions.
the cry
le cri
The sky was dark and I heard a cry.
Le ciel était sombre et j'ai entendu un cri.
The storm broke out two hours ago while I was sleeping.
L'orage a éclaté il y a deux heures pendant que je dormais.
That is the cry that I heard during the storm.
C'est le cri que j'ai entendu pendant l'orage.
I was afraid because I saw a flash of lightning.
J'avais peur parce que j'ai vu un éclair.
I wanted to protect him while the wind was blowing.
Je voulais le protéger pendant que le vent soufflait.
The child was crying when the earth shook.
L'enfant pleurait quand la terre a tremblé.
The branches fell a minute ago.
Les branches sont tombées il y a une minute.

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