Oxford English Grammar Course Intermediate •

TEST 2 • present tenses

Name 

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1 Spelling. Write the third person singular forms and the -ing forms.
 adds    adding agree
add   begin  
▲

do     enjoy   forget  
go     help     hope  
listen   offer     push  
reply     send     stop  

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2 Present simple or progressive – the basics. Put in the correct tense (present simple or present progressive).
Where possible, use contracted forms (e.g. he’s working NOT he is working).
 works
Dawn as a lawyer. (work)
▲ ▲

Ben ’s working as a waiter in a café this summer. (work)

1 I football every weekend. (play)
2 Emma’s a vegetarian, but she eggs. (eat)
3 He with his parents until he goes to university. (live)
4 Water at over 100 degrees. (boil)
5 ‘Where are you?’  ‘I in front of the cinema – can you see me now?’ (stand)
6 I tea and coffee, but I’d like some water please. (drink)
7 I’m sorry but I dinner so I can’t talk to you now. (have)

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3 Non-progressive or not? Which sentence(s) is/are correct? Circle  A, B or both.
A I don’t agree with you.
▲

B I’m not agreeing with you.

A I always watch the 10 o’clock news on TV.

▲

B I’m watching the 10 o’clock news now.

1 A I don’t know what you mean by ‘unfair’.
B I don’t know what you’re meaning by ‘unfair’.
2 A I usually listen to the radio while I’m working.
B I’m working and I’m listening to the radio at the same time.
3 A I’m realising that you’re angry with me.
B I realise that you’re angry with me.
4 A Now I understand what you’re saying.
B Now I’m understanding what you’re saying.
5 A I’m not minding waiting if you aren’t ready yet.
B I don’t mind waiting if you aren’t ready yet.
6 A I’m not sure if I’m coming; it depends on the weather.
B I’m not sure if I’m coming; it’s depending on the weather.
7 A It isn’t mattering if you aren’t ready yet.
B It doesn’t matter if you aren’t ready yet.
8 A I’m liking this soup. What’s in it?
B I’m not enjoying this soup. It’s too salty. 

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Oxford English Grammar Course • Intermediate   TEST 2 • present tenses   © Michael Swan and Catherine Walter  PHOTOCOPIABLE
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4 Non-progressive verbs that change meaning. Put in the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
Where possible, use contracted forms (e.g. I’m NOT I am).
 see
I what you are trying to do. (see)
▲ ▲

We ’re seeing
our grandparents this weekend. (see)
1 ‘What you at?’  ‘Your glasses. They’re broken.’ (look)
2 I   enough time to finish my lunch. (not have)
3 She about studying law at university. (think)
4 He   that you are being fair. (not feel)
5 you a good time? I hope so. (have)
6 She like her mother. (look)
7 I he’s telling the truth this time. (think)
8 ‘I don’t want to invite him.’ ‘I the problem.’ (see)

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5 Non-progressive verb responses. Circle  the best replies.
Arestehante shophutniet? (I don’t know. / I don’t understand. / It doesn’t matter.)
▲

1 Do you like listening to music? (It depends. / I don’t remember. / I see.)

2 When does the film start? (I know. / I don’t remember. / I don’t mind.)
3 I’m so sorry I’m late. (I know. / I think so. / It doesn’t matter.)
4 We’re going to be late for our flight. (I don’t mind. / I don’t know. / I hope not.)
5 People should pay more tax. (I don’t agree. / I hope not. / It doesn’t matter.)
6 Do you understand what I’m saying? (I see. / I know. / I think so.)
7 Are you going to pass all your exams? (I see. / I don’t mind. / I hope so.)
8 My phone doesn’t work. I can’t switch it on. (It doesn’t matter. / I see. / I know.)

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6 Mixed structures. Correct the mistakes or write ‘Correct’. (The mistakes may be form or spelling.)
Use contracted forms.
  don’t see
We’re not seeing what your problem is. 
▲ ▲

 Correct
The President believes that the economy is Improving. 
1 What’s happenning about your new job? When do you start? 
2 We are beginning this concert with some songs from our country. 
3 Everything gets so expensive these days. 
4 I usually drive to work, but today I’m walking. 
5 I don’t understand what you’re wanting me to do. 
6 We have a lovely time, thank you. 
7 If they’re saying bad things about me, it doesn’t mind to me. 
8 If he trys to call me, tell him I’m not here. 
9 I’m getting tired of this programme. It’s really boring. 
10 Do they realise that they’re making a big mistake? 
11 At the moment, we all feel that you’re wrong. 
12 We think about going to Brazil for our holiday this year. 
13 ‘I know a great story. This man goes into a shop and says to the shopkeeper …’ 
14 I don’t play tennis these days. 
15 My station is closed and the trains aren’t stoping there. 
16 She isn’t working at the moment, but she’s trying to get a job. 
17 The Statue of Liberty’s standing on Liberty Island in New York. 
18 Tell the children to come inside; they’re getting cold. 
19 While the meat’s cooking, wash the vegetables and put them in boiling water. 
20 I always have a list when I’m shoping. 

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Oxford English Grammar Course • Intermediate   TEST 2 • present tenses   © Michael Swan and Catherine Walter  PHOTOCOPIABLE