1- Grammar
1.1- Permanent or Temporary situation
Let’s read the grammar explanation below to study the difference between the two tenses.
We use the Simple Present Tense to talk about “Permanent” situations, actions we frequently do, routines.
For example: I go to school every day.
I watch TV in the evening.
I play football on Saturday afternoon.
We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about “Temporary” situations, on-going actions, actions that are happening now or around this time.
For example: It is 8 o’clock in the morning now, so I am going to school.
It is 7 o’clock in the evening and I am watching TV.
Today is Saturday, so I am playing football.
Let’s read a conversation between Ziggy and Sporty.
Hi, Sporty! When do you play basketball?
Hi, Ziggy! I play basketball on the weekend.
What time do you play basketball?
I play basketball in the morning.
What do you do in the afternoon?
I watch basketball on TV in the afternoon.
It is 3 o’clock in the afternoon now. What are you doing?
I am watching basketball on TV at the moment. What are you doing?
I am talking to you!
Can you see the verbs in blue? They express actions we normally do, routines, permanent situations.
Can you see the verbs in green? They are expressing actions we are doing at the moment, now. They are describing a temporary situation.
1.2- Time expressions
We use different expressions to talk about “Permament” and “Temporary” situations.
We use: | to describe |
Example |
Every day On Wednesday On the weekend |
Permament situations. |
I play tennis on the weekend. I study every day. I use the computer on Wednesday. |
Now At the moment |
Temporary situations. |
I am watching TV now. I am studying at the moment. |
1.3- Over to you
Let’s have some practice now. Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentences.
1. I ____________ basketball on the weekend.
a) play b) am playing
2. What ____________ at the moment, Ziggy?
a) do you do b) are you doing.
3. When ____________ TV?
a) do you watch b) are you watching
4. I ____________ now.
a) study b) am studying
5. I ____________ to school on the weekend.
a) don’t go b) ‘m not going
6. We ____________ having lunch now.
a) don’t have b) aren’t having
Solution:
If you need help to work on the exercises, remember you can revise how to make questions, affirmative and negative sentences
– In the Simple Present Tense by clicking here (Contenido 2 – Expressing Possession)
– In the Present Continuous Tense by clicking here (Contenido 4)
Only after revising and trying to complete the sentences on your own, have a look at the answers below.
1. I play basketball on the weekend.
a) play b) am playing
2. What are you doing at the moment, Ziggy?
a) do you do b) are you doing
3. When do you watch TV?
a) do you watch b) are you watching
4. I am studying now.
a) study b) am studying
5. I don’t go to school on the weekend.
a) don’t go b) ‘m not going
6. We aren’t having having lunch now.
a) don’t have b) aren’t having
2- Vocabulary
2.1- Parts of the day
Study the pictures below.
2.2- Practice
Choose the correct picture. Number one is an example.
1. In the afternoon
Picture A | Picture B |
It is picture A
2. At night
Picture A | Picture B |
It is picture
3. In the evening
Picture A | Picture B |
It is picture
4. In the morning
Picture A | Picture B |
It is picture
Important tip! We say: In the morning – In the afternoon – In the evening At night
|
2.3- Days of the week
These are the days of the week.
Important tip! We say: On Monday, on Tuesday, on Wednesday, on Thursday, on Friday, on Saturday, on Sunday. Saturday + Sunday = the weekend We say: On the weekend.
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3- Putting everything into practice
3.1- Listening comprehension
Listen to the audios and choose the correct alternative. Number one is an example.