ESL Blues   Quick Quiz:  Present simple versus present progressive  

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Quick Quiz:   Click on button next to correct answer and click on Answers at end to get correct answers with feedback.
1.  Water ________ at a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.
   is freezing
   freezes
Correct answer: freezes
This is a fact of nature, not an activity in progress.
2.  Take an umbrella. It ________. You don't want to get wet.
   is raining
   rains
Correct answer: is raining
This is an activity in progress. It is happening right now.
3.  Here in Montreal the winters are very long and it ________ a lot.
   is snowing
   snows
Correct answer: snows
This is a repeated action, not an activity in progress.
4.  Now I ________ what you are trying to say.
   am understanding
   understand
Correct answer: understand
This is a non-progressive verb like 'know' and 'believe.'
5.  I'm sorry. Bob can't come to the phone. He ________ a shower.
   is having
   has
Correct answer: is having
This is an action in progress. It is happening right now.
6.  Of course Daniel is coming to the party. She always ________ to my parties.
   is coming
   comes
Correct answer: comes
This is a repeated or habitual action, not an activity in progress.
7.  So tell me. Who ________ on the ski trip with us?
   is coming
   comes
Correct answer: is coming
This is a planned activity for the near future.
8.  This session I ________ a Spanish course. It's difficult but it's fun.
   am taking
   takes
Correct answer: am taking
This is an activity in progress. It is happening these days.
9.  Sabrina's husband is a salesman but I don't really know what he ________.
   is selling
   sells
Correct answer: sells
This is a habitual or repeated action, not an activity in progress.
10.  Turn down the volume. I ________ to do my homework.
   am trying
   try
Correct answer: am trying
This is an activity in progress.

Now click on the answer button to check your answers.


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