Master the English Tenses

Course Handbook – Study Guide

To ensure that you gain maximum benefit out of this course, it is important that you
follow the study guide closely, and that you do not skip any of the steps.

Please start by reading the step-by-step study guide on the next three pages to get an
idea of the activities and the timescale involved. Then, refer to your study guide
regularly and follow the instructions closely as you progress through each stage of
the course.

LESSONS 1 – 9

Step 1: Prepare
1. Print all the pdf files in your handbook (Study Guide, Study File, Transcripts)
2. Study the section ‘Summary of Tenses’ in your ‘Study File’ for a global
overview, but don’t worry about the details yet.

Step 2: Study
1. Watch the first video lesson twice;
2. Make notes of the important points in your Study File;

Step 3: Written exercises

1. Find the pdf transcript of the audio exercises for this lesson;
2. Do the exercises on paper to test your assimilation;
3. If you have made some mistakes and don’t understand why they are
mistakes, review the video lesson again until it is clear to you;
4. In your ‘Study File’, write down 2-3 examples of your own for each tense that
you have just studied.

Step 4: Oral exercises

1. Put your papers away;

2. Go to the audio file corresponding to this lesson, and do the exercises orally
several times, without looking at your written exercises.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 for each of the first 9 video lessons.

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 Master the English Tenses
Course Handbook – Study File
Your Notes & Examples

As you work through each video lesson, make notes and write 2-3
examples of your own for each tense.

Video Lesson 1

Present Simple (I do, she does …)

A fact, a regular action or a habit

I am an author. I write books.

Nowadays, my wife, Laura, edits my books.

Your personal notes and examples:

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

Present Continuous (I am doing, she is doing …)

An action in progress at present

I am currently writing a new book.

Laura is editing it as I am writing it.

Your personal notes and examples:

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

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 Master The English Tenses
Course Handbook – Audio Exercises

Exercise 1

Choose between Present Simple (I do) and Present Continuous (I am doing).

Example:

He (go) shopping every Saturday. He goes shopping every Saturday.

1. I (not drive) to work every day. ……………………………………………

2. This house (get) damp in winter. ……………………………………………

3. Let’s go now. It (get) late. ……………………………………………

4. It never (snow) in this region. ……………………………………………

5. Mary always (drive) fast. ……………………………………………

6. They currently (repair) the road. ……………………………………………

7. Sally often (not visit) her parents. ……………………………………………

8. Are you free now? No, I still (work). ……………………………………………

9. What she (do) for a living? ……………………………………………

10. What she (do) now? ……………………………………………

11. Let’s go out. It (not rain). ……………………………………………

12. I (look) for my key. Do you know where it is? ……………………………………………

13. She rarely (eat) meat. ……………………………………………

14. Listen! Someone (knock) on the door. ……………………………………………

15. Can you see what (make) that noise? ……………………………………………

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Course Handbook – Audio Exercises – Answer Key

Exercise 1: Present Simple & Present Continuous

1. I don’t drive to work every day.

2. This house gets damp in winter.

3. Let’s go now. It’s getting late.

4. It never snows in this region.

5. Mary always drives fast.

6. They’re currently repairing the road.

7. Sally doesn’t often visit her parents.

8. Are you free now? No, I’m still working.

9. What does she do for a living?

10. What is she doing now?

11. Let’s go out. It isn’t raining.

12. I’m looking for my key. Do you know where it is?

13. She rarely eats meat.

14. Listen! Someone is knocking on the door.

15. Can you see what is making that noise?

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