Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.

timing

Stages

Activities and learning modes

Expectations

5min

Exercise 1(Terminal S)

Put the verbs in brackets into present simple or present continuous.

A. Debbie (work)……………… as an administrator in the University. She (organize)………………… all the timetables and teaching schedules. She (work)………….. very long hours at the moment because it’s the start of the academic year but she (go)…………. on a short holidays at the end of the month.

B. Simon and Sylvia (stay)……………… in a cottage the Yorkshire dales this month. The cottage (belong)……….. to a cousin of Sylvia’s but the cousin is away: She (cycle) ………………………..around Norfolk for few weeks. Simon and Sylvia often (use)……………… the cottage when Sylvia’s cousin is away. They really (enjoy)……… being in the middle of the countryside.

C. The world population (still increase)…………………. rapidly. Many people in the world (already starve)…… ……………... and many more (suffer) from malnutrition. The population (grow)…………………. fastest in the poorest countries where people (need)………………… to have children to look after them in their old age and where many of their children (die)…………….. at a very young age.

Exercise 2 (Terminal L)

Put the verbs in brackets into present simple or present continuous. Maggie and Jill two friends are talking in a party.

M: Jill, how nice to you? I (not think)………………… we have seen each other since that party at Jim’s last year. How……………………… (you/get on)?

J: Oh fine, everything  (go)………………… very well

M: (you still/go out)…………………………. with Dave?

J: No, I am not but I (go out)…………. with someone called Jamie: I met him at my pottery class.

M: Is he here now?

J: Yes, look! He’s over there. He (talk)…….. to charlotte.

M: OH yes, I (see)…………… him. He (wear)…………. a yellow jumper.

J: Yes, that’s him.

M: Oh! He (look)………………… really nice.

J: He is. I will introduce you to him when he (come)……. over here. So what about you? How (life/treat)………….. you?

M: Not too badly, I (still/work)……………. at that awful café. I (keep)……………... looking for other jobs but the problem is that I (feel)…………... so tired when I (get in) …………...that I (not have)…………….. much energy to look through all the job ads and everything.

J: Oh well, I (suppose)……………… something else will come up soon.

NOTE

Usages of the present simple

1. a regular repeated activity:

we often use the present simple in this way with some adverbs or adverbial phrases of frequency: sometimes, never, occasionally, every day, on Saturdays, once a week, etc:

I catch the 8 o’clock train every day.

2.Something that is generally true, a statement of fact:

The earth revolves round the sun.

Cats don’t like water

3. With static verbs, that is, verbs describe sentiments, thoughts, states or refer to senses:

She likes/loves/hates/wants shy men(sentiments)

The judge believes/supposes/think I am guilty(thoughts)

The coat belongs to me(states)

We hear/see/feel the world round us(senses)

Your sauce tastes/smells good(senses)

Remark:

some verbs are used only in simple tenses:

ôhave(possess) and think(believe/have an opinion)

Usages of the present continuous

1. Activity in progress at this moment

Where’s David?

He is doing his homework

2. An activity that is taking place in the present time period and will continue for a limited time. The activity may or may not be in progress at the moment of speaking. It is often used in this way with these days, this week, this month, etc:

What is Linda doing these days?

She is doing a course in engineering

(Linda may not be studying engineering at this minute)

3. When we talk about a changing situation

The population of the world is rising very fast.

Is your English getting better.

Gorée is falling into the sea.

4. For description

He is sitting in a small wooden chair, listening to the radio and reading newspapers.

Variation

Differences in meaning