As she gathered or as she was gathering

Question

I was studying for the ACT ,and I encountered a question.
There is a sentence: “Donna was surprised at my suggestion, but quickly began sharing my unbridled enthusiasm as she ___ the appropriate chemicals and concoctions that would soon transform me.”
The question asks about what comes in place of the space.
I Thought it should be are “... she was gathering...” However, the answer is  “... she gathered...” Can someone please explain why it is past simple and not past continuous?

BruhWriter · Answer

It wouldn't be past continuous because nothing happened when she was gathering the chemicals. Normally when using past continuous you explain what was happening after the verb. In this case it just wouldn't make sense because you are talking about something that was already stated prior to the verb.
I hope this makes some sense.

Licky Cat · Answer

As she was gathering is less applicable, because that would show another meaning.
Think about the part of the sentence this way: as she was gathering= because she was gathering.
Otherwise, both are perfectly fine.

As she gathered or as she was gathering

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