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Present Simple

USES: EXAMPLES:

General Truths The left-hand side of the brain controls the

Current habits
Permanent situations and states
Telling jokes and other informal stories
right-hand side of the body
I don’t always go to classes that are early in
the morning!
Angie teaches French at a local education
centre
So, a man goes to see his psychologist

Live sports commentary Adam passes to Johnson. It’s a goal!

Newspaper headlines HAWKING WINS NOBEL PRIZE

Reviews and summaries
Instructions and directions
Proverbs and sayings
The future (for fixed events)
The film ends with a scene of Adam’s
childhood
Turn left at the end of the road
Too many cooks spoil the broth
Term ends on 21st December

The future (in time clauses) I’ll be so relieved when I finish this
crossword

Present continuous

USES: EXAMPLES:

Actions happening now The boys are doing their homework right
now

Actions happening around now
Temporary situations and series of actions
Changing and developing situations
What book are you doing in English classes
at the moment?
We aren’t having any exams while the
lecturers are still on strike
More and more people are recognising the
advantages of speaking two languages

Annoying or amusing habits (usually with Dan is always coming up with the craziest
always) ideas!
The future (for arrangements) When are you training your driving test?

The future (in time clauses) I will probably be a bit scared when I’m
waiting outside for the exam to start
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Ex.0: Complete with the words in the box

Aren’t do does doesn’t don’t has have having is isn’t ‘m ‘re

Present Simple

I/you/we/they have/ don’t have breakfast

………………………….. you have breakfast? Yes I do / No I don´t

He/ She/ It …………../……………. Have breakfast

……………………………he have breakfast? Yes he does /No, he doesn’t

Present continuous

I ………………../’m not ………… breakfast

We/You/They …………………/ aren’t

Are they having breakfast? Yes, they are. / No they ……………………

He/She/It ‘s / ……………. having breakfast

…………………… she having breakfast? Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t

Ex. 1: Write the verbs in brackets in the correct form, present simple or present continuous:

1. My brother …………………… (do) a degree at the university so I ………………… (not see) him
very often, unfortunately.
2. Darren ……………… usually ………..……… (not get) home until about eight o’clock.
3. I’m sorry to hear your parents ………………… (get) divorced.
4. You ……………… (go) to the end of the street and …………….. (turn) right.
5. Why ………………….ice ………….. floating?
6. My dad …………………….. (eat) meat at all – he’s a vegetarian.
7. ………..……… you ………….…… (call) me from your mobile phone? The line’s not very good.
8. Beckham ……………….. (have) control of the ball… It’s Beckham… And he ……………. (score)!
9. WOMAN ………………. (give) $500 MILLION LOTTERY WIN TO CHARITY.
10. My dad always …………………… (tell) jokes! They are usually rubbish, though.
11. ‘Phil …………………… (wear) ties does he?’
‘Actually, he ………………….. (wear) a tie to work most days’.

Ex. 2 Choose the correct words

1. Does / Are / Is Aaron usually get up early?
2. What time are they wanting to / do they want / they want to leave?
3. He doesn’t like / not like / isn’t liking maths.
4. ‘Are you enjoying the book?’ ‘Yes, I do / enjoy / am.
5. Does Anna have / Has Anna / Is Anna having more than one mobile phone?
6. Right now, she chats /’s chatting / does chat to her friends.
7. ‘When does the bus leave / the bus leaves / is the bus leaving?’ ‘At t.45 every morning’.

Ex. 3 Complete the postcard using the correct form of the verbs
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Come / not get up / go / go / have / help / stay / wake up

Write / You – do

Hi Cameron,
I‘m writing this postcard from Pisa!
I ………………. Here for then days with my Italian exchange partner, Liliana, and we
…………………… a lot of fun together. A typical day here is different form at home. Her
brother Claudio …………………. Really early every day to go to college, but we´re on
holiday, so we ……………………. Before 9.39. We often …………………. Out to a local café for
breakfast – it’s really nice. Then we go sightseeing. At the moment, I ……………………
shopping for presents. Liliana ………………….. me. What
…………………………….. this week? See you next Monday at School.
Georgia.

Ex. 4 Answer the questions. Write three or four complete sentences.

Example: How often do you cook? Who’s cooking dinner tonight? What food do you like and
dislike?
Ans.: I don’t cook very often. My dad is cooking dinner tonight. I like pasta and pizza, but I don´t
like fish.

1. Where do you usually go on holiday? Who do you go with and what do you do there?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………….................................................

2. What’s your best friend doing now? What do you think you sister/brother is doing now?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ex. 5 Read about the nineties craze for Tamagotchi electronic pets. Complete the fact file with
the words and phrases

in 1996 in the nineties like such this decade

Those days until years later

Fact file:
Tamagotchis
When was it?
In the nineties, people started to buy electronic gadgets to play with instead of old-style toys.
During …………………………., they could buy gadgets …………… as games consoles.
…………………, one of these gadgets, the Tamagotchi, became a craze.
What was it?
In ……………..........., gadgets ………………….. mobile phones were expensive. Apps didn’t become
popular ………………………. However, Tamagotchis were cheap and fun for children. They were
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‘electronic pets’ that you could carry around in your pocket. Users used to feed their pet and
play games with it. They needed to look after their pet well to keep it alive!
Where is it now?
Amazingly, Tamagotchis are back! You can buy one online or in shops today. However, most
children prefer apps or computer games these days.

Ex. 6 Write a fact file about a craze you remember from the past few years. Use the fact file in
exercise 5 to help you. Include the phrases on this page and information about these things:
When was it?
- When did it happen
- Why is it popular?
What was it?
- Was it fashion/music/entertainment/
Technology/a toy? Describe the craze.
Where is it now?
- Is it popular now? Why/ why not?