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All A2 questions for “Present Simple vs Present Continuous – A2 English Grammar”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.
1. I _____ in a hospital. I have been a nurse for ten years.
Answer: work
Permanent fact = present simple. Work (not am working) for a stable situation.
2. Quiet please! The baby _____ right now. Please do not make any noise.
Answer: is sleeping
Right now = action in progress this moment = present continuous.
She usually _____ the bus to work, but today she is driving because the bus is on strike.
Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.
Answer: takes
Usually = habit = present simple. (The second part 'is driving' shows the contrast.)
4. Look! It _____ outside. Should we cancel the trip?
Answer: is snowing
Look! = signal that something is happening right now = present continuous.
5. He _____ meat. He has been vegetarian since he was a teenager.
Answer: does not eat
Permanent lifestyle choice = present simple negative.
6. A: Where is Tom? B: He _____ to the manager in the office at the moment.
Answer: is talking
At the moment = action in progress right now = present continuous.
7. Water _____ at 100 degrees Celsius. That is a scientific fact.
Answer: boils
Scientific fact = always true = present simple.
8. I _____ for my English exam this week. It is on Friday.
Answer: am studying
This week = temporary activity = present continuous.
9. She _____ four languages fluently. It is very impressive.
Answer: speaks
Permanent ability = present simple. (Not a temporary ongoing action.)
10. They _____ a new shopping centre near my house. It will be ready next year.
Answer: are building
In progress over a period of time = present continuous.
11. I _____ this week. I have some time off for a holiday.
Answer: am not working
This week = temporary situation = present continuous negative.
1. Which is correct?
Answer: She drinks coffee every morning.
Every morning = regular habit = present simple. Never present continuous with every day/morning.
2. Which is correct?
Answer: He is working late tonight.
Tonight = temporary, not a regular habit = present continuous.
3. Which is correct?
Answer: Look! She is crying.
Look! = signal of action happening right now = present continuous.
4. Which is correct?
Answer: I do not understand this grammar.
Understand is a stative verb (a mental state). Stative verbs do not use the continuous form.
5. Which is correct?
Answer: She usually comes by train.
Usually = regular habit = present simple. Never continuous with always/usually/often.
6. Which is correct?
Answer: What are you doing right now?
Right now = action in progress = present continuous question: What + are + subject + verb-ing?
7. Which is correct?
Answer: We have a meeting every Monday.
Every Monday = regular routine = present simple.
8. Which is correct?
Answer: He knows the answer.
Know is a stative verb (mental state). Use present simple, never continuous.
9. Which is correct?
Answer: They are staying in a hotel this week.
This week = temporary situation = present continuous.
10. Which is correct?
Answer: The sun rises in the east.
General truth / scientific fact = present simple.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo is famous for his incredible discipline. He _____ for at least three hours every single day, even on rest days and holidays. Right now, Ronaldo _____ for a club in Saudi Arabia, but many fans believe he will return to Europe one day. He normally _____ for eight hours a night and follows a very strict diet. This season, his team _____ in the Saudi Pro League and he has already scored over thirty goals. Ronaldo always _____ that talent is nothing without hard work. That is the message he gives to every young player he meets.
Answer: trains, is playing, sleeps, is competing, says
Trains every day = habit, present simple. Is playing right now = current temporary situation, present continuous. Normally sleeps = routine, present simple. Is competing this season = temporary ongoing situation, present continuous. Always says = habit, present simple.
1. every / she / coffee / morning / drinks
Answer: She drinks coffee every morning.
Every morning = regular habit = present simple.
2. right / is / he / now / working
Answer: He is working right now.
Right now = action in progress = present continuous.
3. usually / takes / she / train / the
Answer: She usually takes the train.
Usually = regular habit = present simple.
4. are / what / you / doing / ?
Answer: What are you doing?
Present continuous question: What + are + subject + verb-ing?
5. week / staying / we / a / hotel / in / are / this
Answer: We are staying in a hotel this week.
This week = temporary situation = present continuous.
6. does / meat / not / he / eat
Answer: He does not eat meat.
Permanent habit/lifestyle = present simple negative.
7. moment / she / the / at / is / studying
Answer: She is studying at the moment.
At the moment = action in progress = present continuous.
8. do / where / work / you / ?
Answer: Where do you work?
Permanent fact question = present simple: Where + do + subject + base verb?
9. is / raining / look / it / !
Answer: Look! It is raining!
Look! = happening right now = present continuous.
10. on / they / Mondays / always / meet
Answer: They always meet on Mondays.
Always + on Mondays = regular routine = present simple.
1. You are a friendly English tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A2 student. The grammar focus is: (1) present simple for habits/routines/permanent facts (I work, she drinks, he does not eat), (2) present continuous for actions in progress now or temporarily (I am working, she is staying, they are building), (3) key signals: always/usually/every = simple; now/at the moment/this week/right now/look = continuous, (4) stative verbs (know, understand, like, want, believe, love, hate) NEVER use continuous. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Let us start with your daily routine! Tell me five things you do every day. Use the present simple.' (Target: I wake up at 7. I drink coffee every morning. I work in an office. Check: present simple for habits. Flag I am waking up every day.) 2. 'Good! Now tell me what is happening in your life RIGHT NOW - things that are different or temporary this week or month.' (Target: I am studying for an exam this month. I am reading a new book. My company is hiring new staff. Check: present continuous for temporary. Flag I study for exam this month.) 3. 'I will describe a situation and you choose the right tense. Ready? Your friend asks what you are doing at this exact moment.' (Target: I am talking to my English tutor. I am sitting at my desk. Check: present continuous for this moment.) 4. 'Now contrast! Tell me: what do you usually do at the weekend, and what are you doing THIS weekend that is different?' (Target: I usually go to the gym, but this weekend I am visiting my parents. Check: simple for usual, continuous for this special weekend.) 5. 'Use stative verbs! Tell me three things you know, like or want - without using the continuous.' (Target: I know how to cook. I like jazz music. I want a new phone. Check: never I am knowing, I am liking, I am wanting.) 6. 'Final question! Your friend has not seen you for a year. Tell them what has changed - what you are doing differently now compared to before.' (Target: I am living in a new city now. I am learning English this year. I am not working at my old job anymore. Check: continuous for current temporary situations.) FEEDBACK RULES: - Never explain the rule. Recast errors naturally. - If student uses continuous for habits (I am drinking coffee every morning): recast - You drink coffee every morning! That is a great habit. - If student uses simple for right now (I sit at my desk now): recast - You are sitting at your desk right now! Tell me more. - If student uses continuous with stative verb (I am knowing the answer): recast - You know the answer! Great! - Keep language at A2 level. - After all 6 questions, give one genuine specific compliment and say goodbye.
1. Question 1