Complete the sentences with the correct form (the Past Simple or Continuous) of the verbs

1. My father's company [ ] (lose) money at an alarming rate but then in 2014 we [ ] a new product line tablet
   computer. Sales [ ] drastically and our financial situation [ ] speedily.
2. They [ ] a pleasant evening when suddenly Maria's boss [ ] her to say he [ ] to fire her.
3. Jason Brothers [ ] to patent their new product but they [ ] far too long. A month after their decision, their main competitor
   [ ] basically the same product.
4. Julia [ ] to take a few months off in 2001, when she [ ] for Korean Cosmetics Company.