Present simple and present continuous
Use the present simple for routines and stable facts; Use the present continuous for actions happening now or around now; Form the continuous with am/is/are + verb-ing; Use do/does in present simple questions and negatives; Avoid continuous forms of stative verbs in their state meanings.
1. Choose the best sentence for an action happening right now.
Multiple Choice20sAThe volunteers are packing food now.✓BThe volunteers pack food every day.CThe volunteers packing food now.DThe volunteers do packing food now.💡 An action in progress now uses am/is/are + verb-ing.
2. We use the present simple for routines and the present continuous for actions happening now or around now.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 This is the central meaning contrast between the two present tenses.
3. Look! The children _____ (run) across the road.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedare running💡 Look signals an action in progress, so use are + running.
4. Which sentence uses a stative verb correctly?
Multiple Choice20sAI understand the problem now.✓BI am understanding the problem now.CI do understanding the problem now.DI am understand the problem now.💡 Understand is a stative verb and is not normally used in the present continuous.
5. Match each time context to the suitable verb form.
Matching30severy weekday→takes the busright now→is waiting outsidethis month→are running a special projectin general→costs less online💡 Routine and general contexts take the present simple; current temporary contexts take the present continuous.
6. My sister _____ (live) in Manchester, but this month she's staying in Leeds.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedlives💡 Her normal home is a stable situation, so use the present simple with third-person -s.
7. Put the chunks in order to describe a temporary project around now.
Put in Order30s- 1.The volunteers
- 2.are collecting
- 3.warm clothes
- 4.for families
- 5.this week.
💡 A temporary action around now uses are + verb-ing.
8. Which present continuous negative is correct?
Multiple Choice20sAWe aren't shopping at the moment.✓BWe don't shopping at the moment.CWe aren't shop at the moment.DWe not are shopping at the moment.💡 The negative continuous is subject + am/is/are not + verb-ing.
9. Stative verbs such as know and belong normally use the present continuous when the situation is true now.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 The stative-verb rule blocks the continuous even when the state is true now.
10. _____ you usually meet friends in a cafe after class?
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedDo💡 Usually indicates a routine, so the present simple question begins with Do.
11. Which sentence describes a general fact rather than a current activity?
Multiple Choice20sAThis phone costs less than that one.✓BThis phone is costing less today.CThis phone cost less right now.DThis phone does costing less.💡 Cost is a stative verb in this meaning and the general fact takes the present simple.
12. Match each stative-verb category to examples from that category.
Matching30sfeelings→love and hatedesires→want and needthoughts→believe and rememberstates→belong and own💡 The unit groups stative verbs by feelings, desires, thoughts and states.
13. I _____ (understand) what you mean now.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedunderstand💡 Understand is stative, so use the present simple rather than am understanding.
14. The present continuous is formed with am, is or are plus a verb ending in -ing.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 The form rule is subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
15. Which question correctly asks about an action in progress right now?
Multiple Choice20sAAre you working right now?✓BDo you working right now?CAre you work right now?DAre working you right now?💡 A present continuous question inverts are and the subject, then uses verb-ing.
16. Put the chunks in order to describe a regular routine.
Put in Order30s- 1.The market
- 2.opens
- 3.at eight
- 4.every morning.
💡 A repeated daily routine uses the present simple and third-person -s.
17. The museum _____ (open) at ten every day.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedopens💡 Every day signals a routine, and the singular subject takes opens.
18. Which present simple negative is correct?
Multiple Choice20sAShe doesn't own a car.✓BShe doesn't owns a car.CShe isn't own a car.DShe not owns a car.💡 A third-person present simple negative uses doesn't + base verb.
19. The present simple is formed with am, is or are plus an -ing verb.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 The two tense forms must not be confused: the simple uses the base form or third-person -s.
20. Why _____ they waiting outside in the rain?
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedare💡 A present continuous information question uses question word + are + subject + verb-ing.