1). when the old man got up/had got up to speak, everyone applauded. 2). they were chatting as if they knew/had known each other all their lives. 3). i was taking/took an umbrella because it was raining/rained. 4). it was a cold winter tonight. it was snowing/snowed hard and i was wanting/wanted to get back home quickly.
had known
took
was raining
was snowing
was waiting