The simple present tense is used to talk about general facts and repeated actions like one’s job, habits etc. The present continuous tense is used to talk about planned future events. Test your knowledge of present tenses with this grammar exercise.
Complete the following sentences using appropriate verb forms. Each question is followed by three suggested answers. Choose the most appropriate one.
1. Water ……………………………………… at 100 degree Celsius.
a) boil
b) boils
c) is boiling
2. I ……………………………………… tennis every day.
a) play
b) plays
c) am playing.
3. The earth ………………………………………. around the sun.
a) move
b) moves
c) is moving
4. James ……………………………………………. for an insurance company.
a) work
b) works
c) is working
5. In Act I, Hamlet ………………………………………….. the ghost of his father.
a) meet
b) meets
c) is meeting
6. The kettle ………………………………………….. Shall I make tea?
a) boil
b) is boiling
c) boils
7. I …………………………………………. this song very much.
a) like
b) likes
c) am liking
8. We …………………………………………. to the theater this evening.
a) go
b) are going
c) were going
9. His train ………………………………………… at 11.50.
a) arrive
b) arrives
c) is arriving
10. I will phone you when I ……………………………………….. home.
a) get
b) will get
c) am getting
Answers
1. Water boils at 100 degree Celsius.
2. I play tennis every day.
3. The earth moves around the sun.
4. James works for an insurance company.
5. In Act 1, Hamlet meets the ghost of his father.
6. The kettle is boiling. Shall I make tea?
7. I like this song very much.
8. We are going to the theatre this evening.
9. His train arrives at 11.50.
10. I will phone you when I get home.
