Grammar: Present Simple & Continuous as Future Tenses

1: Work it Out
We can use the present simple and the present continuous to talk about the future. Do you know the
difference between the two? Look at these sentences and see if you can work out the rules.
The train leaves at 9.00.
John takes his exam next week.
What time do you finish college tonight?
I'm staying in this evening.
I'm going to bed in a minute.
When are you taking your holiday this summer?
Now try the quiz below to check your ideas.

2: Check Present Simple or Continuous

Complete each sentence by choosing the most likely future form:

1)   anything later? I thought we could go out. DO

2) The lesson     soon so we need to get back to college. BEGIN

3) Susan     me for lunch later. MEET

4) The match    at 3.00. START

5) What time     later? START

6) I       my Nan next Sunday. VISIT

7) I      work early today as I have an appointment at the dentist. FINISH

8) I've just phoned the centre and the doors     at 1.00. OPEN

3: Multiple Choice Cloze Practice

Read the text below.
For each question choose the best answer to complete the gap.

MEMO
To: Sarah

From: Director of Studies

As you know, I have quite a busy week coming up. On Monday I A) MEET   with the
Marketing team all day to discuss next year's brochure. On Tuesday B VISIT  )  our partner

school in London. My train C)  LEAVE  at 7.30 so I won't be coming to the office first. We

have interviews for the new teacher's job on Wednesday. The first  D) START  at 9.30 an

they E)END   at 3.30 - 6 people altogether I think. I F) SEE  the deputy

on Thursday and as soon as I get back there's the weekly team meeting - that usually G) GO

 on until 5.30. I have a day's holiday owed to me so H) TAKE  a day off on Friday.

But as the new term  START  next Monday I  COME  in on Saturday or Sund

briefly to check everything is OK. Email me at any time if you need advice.