He looked out vs. he was looking out...

[Looker]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #140 "Phrasal idioms with the verb 'look'", question 9

My family finally made the painful decision to admit my grandmother to a nursing home, as she is no longer capable of ......... herself.

(a) looking into
(b) looking out
(c) looking at
(d) looking after

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #140 "Phrasal idioms with the verb 'look'", answer 9

My family finally made the painful decision to admit my grandmother to a nursing home, as she is no longer capable of looking after herself.

Correct answer: (d) looking after
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How do you explain to students:
He was looking out the window when an attractive lady got on the bus vs He looked out the window when an attractive lady got on the bus.

[Mister Micawber]

In the first, the looking is an extended action beginning before her arrival; in the second, it occurs rather suddenly as she gets on.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's