B1
FIRST
1C Present tenses – Present choice
Aim
to practise using present tenses and time expressions
Activity type
a speaking activity in which students identify the correct
tenses to use in questions and then answer them
Classroom dynamics
pairwork
Time taken
10 minutes
Preparation
You will need one copy of the activity sheet for each pair,
cut up into cards.
Procedure
1 Divide the class into pairs and give each one a set of
cards. Students should place the cards face down in a
pile on the desk.
2 Tell students they are going to take turns to read sentences
and then use the correct present tense to ask and answer
questions based on the sentences. If necessary, remind
them of the different tenses and their uses.
3 Student A picks up the first card, looks at the bold
sentence and decides which present tense (present simple
or present continuous) they should use to complete it.
They then read the first sentence to their partner. Student
B has to decide if the tense used is correct.
4 Student A repeats step 3 with the question on the same
card, then asks the question to Student B. Student B must
answer the question using the correct tense.
5 Student B now picks a card and reads it to Student A,
repeating steps 3 and 4.
6 Play continues for 10 minutes, or until all the cards
have been used. Monitor the students’ discussions and
provide support with vocabulary or error correction if
necessary.
7 Feed back to the whole class at the end of the activity,
drawing their attention to any common errors or good
use of language you have noted.
Adaptation and extension
• Alternatively, the activity can be completed in small
groups. If students work in groups of three, Student A
asks the question to Student B. Student B then reads
their question to Student C, and so on. In groups of four,
Students A and C work together to decide on the correct
tenses, and read the cards to Students B and D.
• Fast finishers can find the time expressions in the
sentences (e.g. often, once a month), identify their
positions within those sentences and write sentences of
their own using them.
Grammar
Answer key
When I have free time, I like to visit friends. When you have
free time, how do you like to spend it?
I enjoy reading fantasy books. What do you enjoy reading?
I don’t like doing the dishes every day. Is there anything you
don’t like doing every day?
I’m having problems with my computer at the moment. Are
you having any problems with anything at the moment?
Once a month I watch a film at the cinema. How often do you
go to the cinema?
I’m not sitting in my usual place in the classroom today.
Where are you sitting today?
I’m watching a new TV series now. Are you watching any TV
series now?
I chat with my friends every day. Who do you chat with every
day?
I’m not starting any new hobbies at the moment. Are you
doing any activities at the moment?
I don’t think that tomatoes taste good. Can you think of a fruit
or vegetable which doesn’t taste good?
We are learning new things in English class this week. What
are you learning in English class this week?
I usually sleep late at the weekend. What do you usually do
at the weekend?
I usually take pictures of my friends. Who do you usually
take pictures of?
I’m wearing my favourite T-shirt today. Are you wearing
anything special today?
I go to the park with my friends at the weekend. Who do you
usually meet at the weekend?
I often feel nervous before I have to speak in front of lots
of people. How do you feel before you speak in front of lots
of people?
B1
PRELIMINARY Grammar
1C Present tenses – Present choice
When I have / am having free time, I like to visit
friends.
I enjoy / I’m enjoying reading fantasy books.
What do you enjoy / are you enjoying reading?
When you have / you are having free time, how
do you like to spend it?
I don’t like / I’m not liking doing the dishes
every day.
I have / I’m having problems with my computer
at the moment. It’s not working!
Is there anything you don’t like / you are not Do you have / Are you having any problems with
liking doing every day? Why? anything at the moment?
Once a month I watch / I’m watching a film at
the cinema.
How often do you go / are you going to the
I’m not sitting / I don’t sit in my usual place in
the classroom today.
Where are you sitting / do you sit today?
cinema?
I watch / I’m watching a new TV series now. I chat / I’m chatting with my friends every day.
Do you watch / Are you watching any TV series Who do you chat / are you chatting with every
now? Which one? day? Why?
I don’t start / I’m not starting any new hobbies at
the moment.
I don’t think that tomatoes taste / are tasting
good.
Do you do / Are you doing any activities at the Can you think of a fruit or vegetable which
moment? doesn’t taste / isn’t tasting good?
We learn / We are learning new things in English
class this week.
I usually sleep / I’m usually sleeping late at the
weekend.
What do you learn / are you learning in English What do you usually do / are you usually doing
class this week? at the weekend?
I usually take / I’m usually taking pictures of my
friends.
I wear / I’m wearing my favourite T-shirt today.
Do you wear / Are you wearing anything special
Who do you usually take / are you usually taking today? Why?
pictures of?
I go / I’m going to the park with my friends at I often feel / I’m often feeling nervous before I
the weekend.
Who do you usually meet / are you usually
have to speak in front of lots of people.
How do you feel / are you feeling before you
meeting at the weekend? speak in front of lots of people? Why?
PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2020
4