Past Continous vs. Simple Past

A Golden Find While divers [blank_start]were working[blank_end] off the coast of Florida, they [blank_start]discovered[blank_end] a shipwreck containing gold worth $2 million. the divers [blank_start]were filming[blank_end] a show about the coral reef when they [blank_start]found[blank_end] the gold.

Four-legged Customers One windy day, a woman [blank_start]was walking[blank_end] her pet poodle down the street. A hairstylyst [blank_start]saw[blank_end] the dog through a window and [blank_start]noticed[blank_end] its crazy hair! Later, while the sylist [blank_start]was creating[blank_end] a new line of hair care products for dogs and cats, he [blank_start]came up[blank_end] with a new slogan: "Even animals have bad hair days!"

On the dance floor half a dozen couple [blank_start]were throwing[blank_end] themselves around. Most of them [blank_start]were dancing[blank_end] cheek to cheek, if dancing is the word. The men [blank_start]wore[blank_end] white tuxedos and the girls wore bright eyes, ruby lips, and tennis or golf muscles. One couple [blank_start]was not dancing[blank_end] cheek to cheek. Mitchell's mouth was open, he [blank_start]was ginning[blank_end], his face was red and shiny, and his eyes had that glazed look. Betty [blank_start]was holding[blank_end] her head as far as she could get away from him without breaking her neck. It was very obvious that she had had about all of Mr. Larry Mitchell that she could take. A Mexican waiter in a short green jacket and white pants with a green stripe down the side [blank_start]came[blank_end] up and I [blank_start]ordered[blank_end] a double Gibson and [blank_start]asked[blank_end] if I could have a club sandwich.