TEACHER'S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOURCES Which tense?

Activity Type Introduction

Reading, writing, This fun teaching activity helps elementary students practice
listening and speaking forming and answering questions in the present simple and
activity, pairwork present continuous tense.

Procedure
Language Focus
Divide the students into two groups (A and B).
Present simple and
present continuous
Give each student a corresponding A or B worksheet.

Working alone or in pairs, the students complete the questions on

Aim
To practice forming and
answering questions in
the present simple and
present continuous tense.
the worksheet in the present simple or present continuous using
the verbs in brackets.
When the students have finished, go through the questions with
each group.

Answer key
Preparation
Student A Student B
Make one copy of the
worksheet for each pair 1. do you / go do you / do
of students and cut as 2. Are you / getting are you / looking
indicated. 3. does / start / finish do you / play
4. Do you / have Do you / use
5. Are you / reading are you / watching
Level 6. are you / studying do you / wake
7. is / your are you / going
Elementary
8. do you / speak does / finish
9. are you / wearing Are you / feeling
Time 10. are you / learning do you / like
11. does / look are you / having
30 minutes 12. are you / doing are you / doing

Next, have the students pair up with someone from the other
group.

The students then take it in turns to ask and answer the questions
with their partner.

Remind the students to answer their partner's questions in the

present simple or present continuous, according to the tense of
each question. Also, encourage the students to give as much
information as they can.

Afterwards, have the students share what they found out about
their partner with the class. Any interesting findings can then be
discussed in more detail.

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 PRESENT SIMPLE VS. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

ESL / EFL RESOURCES Which tense?

Student A

A. Complete the questions in the present simple or continuous using the verbs in brackets.

1. How often ______ ______ ______ to the cinema? (go)

2. ______ ______ ______ up early tomorrow? (get)

3. What time ______ this class ______ and ______? (start, finish)

4. ______ ______ ______ any bad habits? (have)

5. ______ ______ ______ a good book at the moment? (read)

6. What ______ ______ ______ at the moment? (study)

7. What ______ ______ daily routine? (be)

8. How many languages ______ ______ ______? (speak)

9. What ______ ______ ______ today? (wear)

10. Why ______ ______ ______ English? (learn)

11. What ______ ______ best friend ______ like? (look)

12. What ______ ______ ______ right now? (do)

B. Now, take it in turns to ask and answer the questions with your partner.
________________________________________________

Student B

A. Complete the questions in the present simple or continuous using the verbs in brackets.

1. What ______ ______ ______ in your free time? (do)

2. What ______ ______ ______ forward to? (look)

3. How often ______ ______ ______ sport? (play)

4. ______ ______ ______ your mobile phone a lot? (use)

5. What TV shows ______ ______ ______ at the moment? (watch)

6. What time ______ ______ usually ______ up? (wake)

7. Where ______ ______ ______ after class? (go)

8. When ______ this course ______? (finish)

9. ______ ______ ______ tired today? (feel)

10. What kind of food ______ ______ ______? (like)

11. What ______ ______ ______ for dinner tonight? (have)

12. What ______ ______ ______ this weekend? (do)

B. Now, take it in turns to ask and answer the questions with your partner.

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