Why it is sat and not sitting? Is it because it was happening in the past?

[Garbo]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #263 "Irregular Verbs Test (11)", question 5

On his first day of school, Ben ......... in the middle row.

(a) sit
(b) sat
(c) sitting

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #263 "Irregular Verbs Test (11)", answer 5

On his first day of school, Ben sat in the middle row.

Correct answer: (b) sat

Your answer was: incorrect
On his first day of school, Ben sitting in the middle row.
_________________________

Why it is sat and not sitting?
Is it because it was happening in the past?

Garbo

[Conchita]

The simple past is used in that example because the sentence describes a completed action in the past. Also, to use the past continuous (or progressive), we would need the auxiliary verb 'to be': Ben was sitting.