对过去进行时的一点理解

有这样一句话:

Just as Mrs. Richards was entering the dinning room, there was a knock on the front door.

question①: as一词的含义.

question②:作者用 was entering the dinning room(状语从句中用到过去进行时) 的用意.

答:

①: 这里as的含义是"当......时".

②: 这里用到was entering, 是为了强调there was a knock on the front door这个动作, 即前门传来敲门声时, Mrs. Richards正好进入餐厅.