1. Choose the correct alternative.
ADAM: Hello, MIKE. What (1) are you doing / do you do in part of London?
MIKE: Well, actually, (2) I’m looking / I look at these new flats (3) they’re building / they build down the road here.
ADAM: Well, (4) they’re looking / they look quite cool, but (5) I’m thinking / I think they’re quite expensive. So (6) are you wanting / do you want to move to this area?
MIKE: Yes. In fact, well, the news is that Mandy and I (7) are getting / get married.
ADAM: Oh, wow! Congratulations. When (8) were you deciding / did you decide?
MIKE: Only last week. It was while (9) we were staying / we stayed with her family in Scotland. Now (10) we try / we’re trying to find a suitable flat.
ADAM: I hope you manage to buy one of these.
MIKE: Oh, (11) we aren’t looking / we don’t look for one to buy. (12) We aren’t having / We don’t have enough money yet. (13) We’re wanting / We want to rent one.
ADAM: Yes, of course. That’s what Anna and I (14) did / were doing at first. After that, brother (15) was lending / lent us some money. That’s how (16) we were managing / we managed to buy ours.
MIKE: You’re right. We must talk to our families before (17) we choose / we’re choosing a flat.
ADAM: Yeah, family (18) gave / were giving us a lot of help and advice. Now, what about a sandwich at place? It’s just round the corner.
MIKE: Oh yes, thanks. (19) I looked / I was looking for somewhere to eat when (20) I was bumping / I bumped into you.
Show answers
2) I’m looking 3) they’re building
4) they look 5) I think 6) do you want
7) are getting 8) did you decide
9) we were staying 10) we’re trying
11) we aren’t looking 12) We don’t have
13) We want 14) did 15) lent
16) we managed 17) we choose
18) gave 19) I was looking 20) I bumped
2. Put the verbs into the correct form: present simple, present continuous, past simple or past continuous.
1) I remember the day you got engaged. I ___ was having__ a shower when you phoned. (have)
2) He tried to explain his problems to his parents, but they just ________ what he was talking about. (not / understand)
3) What have you put in burger? It ________ absolutely disgusting. (taste)
4) Leo always claimed that he was innocent, but for many years no one ________ him. (believe)
5) It’s a great jacket, I know, but unfortunately it ________ to me. I’m just borrowing it for the party this evening. (not / belong)
6) Why ________ a coat? You’ll freeze to death in this cold wind! (you / not / wear)
7) Zoe fell over and hurt her ankle when she ________ this morning. (jog)
8) While I was admiring the view, someone ________ phone from bag. (steal)
9) Look! ________ that man standing at the checkout? I’m sure I know him. (you / see)
10) Tea or coffee? I’m making both, so just say which you ________ (prefer)
Show answers
2) didn’t understand 3) tastes
4) believed 5) doesn’t belong
6) aren’t you wearing 7) was jogging
8) stole 9) Do you see 10) prefer
3. There are mistakes in eight of these sentences. Correct the sentences where necessary. Write ‘OK’ if the sentence is already correct.
1) The coffee is smelling wonderful.
The coffee smells wonderful.
2) Last year we visited Australia.
OK
3) The ship sank because the engineer wasn’t calling for help until it was too late.
________
4) brother is always texting during movies. It's so distracting!
________
5) How is Jennifer? Does her health improve?
________
6) You’re quite right, I’m completely agreeing with you.
________
7) What did you after you left school?
__________________
8) Now I understand what you’re trying to say!
__________________
9) I can’t imagine why you were believing all those stories.
__________________
10) Martin looked forward to a quiet evening when his brother came home from the football match with ten friends.
__________________
11) Philippa heard the election result as she was driving to work, so she immediately stopped and phoned me.
__________________
12) I’m sorry, I’ve spilt your drink. Where are you keeping the paper towels?
__________________
Show answers
3) because the engineer didn’t call for help
4) OK
5) Is her health improving ?
6) I completely agree with you.
7) What did you do after you left school?
8) OK
9) why you believed all those stories
10) Martin was looking forward to
11) OK
12) Where do you keep the paper towels?
4. Complete the email with suitable verbs in the correct form: present simple, present continuous, past simple or past continuous.
From: Alice
To: Anita
Subject: Hiya!
Hi Anita,
Thanks for the text you (1) ___sent __ . yesterday. I (2) ________. to feel better now although back still (3) ________. if I (4) ________. too far.
Last night I (5) ________. some friends who (6) ________. dinner near here. I (7) ________. to the cafe quite easily, but while I (8) ________. home, back (9) ________. to ache really badly. So today I (10) ________. more careful.
Remember that great song we heard during Laura’s birthday meal? Well, I finally (11) ________. to find out who sings it! They have a concert next month if you (12) ________. to go together? You could invite John too – I know you (13) ________. for a thank-you gif for him.
I must lie down now because back (14) ________. to hurt again. Come and see me soon. I’m OK, but you know me, I (15) ________. bored very quickly!
Love, Alice
Show answers
Example answers:
2) ’m beginning / am beginning
3) hurts 4) walk 5) met
6) were having 7) walked
8) was walking 9) began
10) ’m being / am being
11) managed 12) want
13) were looking 14) is beginning
15) get
5. Complete the questions with suitable verbs in the correct form: present simple, present continuous, past simple or past continuous.
1) Why ___ are you wearing__ your coat and hat?
I’m really cold.
2) How often ____________ your teeth?
Twice a day.
3) When ____________ your driving test?
Last Friday. Would you like a lift somewhere?
4) _________ this programme?
No, it’s not very interesting.
5) What time ____________ to bed last night?
About one o’clock I think.
6) _________ this jumper is too small for me?
Not at all. It’s fine.
7) What ____________ at one o’clock this morning?
I was at home watching TV.
8) What time ____________?
Nine o’clock usually.
Show answers
2) do you clean
3) did you pass
4) Are you watching
5) did you go
6) Do you think
7) were you doing
8) does the post office open