The past simple tense is used to describe actions or states of being that took place in the past and are now completed, while the past continuous tense is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.

Here are some examples that illustrate the difference between the past simple and past continuous tenses:

1. Past simple: “I ate breakfast this morning.” (action that took place in the past and is now completed)
   
   Past continuous: “I was eating breakfast when you called me at 8 o’clock this morning.” (action that was in progress at a specific time in the past)
   
2. Past simple: “The sun rose in the east this morning.” (action that took place in the past and is now completed)
   
   Past continuous: “The sun was rising in the east when I looked outside at 6 o’clock this morning.” (action that was in progress at a specific time in the past)
3. Past simple: “She spoke Spanish fluently.” (action that took place in the past and is now completed)
   
   Past continuous: “She was speaking Spanish on the phone with her friend when I arrived at 7 o’clock this morning.” (action that was in progress at a specific time in the past)

As you can see, the past simple tense is used to describe actions or states of being that took place in the past and are now completed, while the past continuous tense is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It is important to use these tenses correctly and appropriately in order to convey the intended meaning clearly and accurately.