Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Name:______________________________________Date:________________Score:___________

Exercise: Fill in the gaps with one of the verbs in the correct grammatical tense. Include the
necessary auxiliaries.

send, block, patrol, protect, complain

Today, there is a revolt at the police barracks compound because the troops…………………..………
about a pay cut that they have received. The police usually ……………………………….…. the streets
from dawn to dusk, but this moment all police cars ………………………………..the streets. The city
authorities ……………..not usually……………………. the military into the streets, but this time, lots of
military officers ………………………………………the main buildings.

do, drive, teach, sit, talk, watch

My father normally ……..……………………… to work in the morning, but today he ………………………………

in front of the TV and ……………………………. the news. My mom usually ………………………Economy at
the university in the morning, but this morning she……………………………. the dishes in the kitchen
and ………………………………. to her friends on the phone.

have, catch, take, chat, play, ride

My little sister usually ………………………. the bus to school at 7:00 a.m., but now she
…………………………… with the dog in the garden. My brother …..…………………… his bike to university
after he ……………………..breakfast every day, but today he …………………………… with his classmates
on the computer and ………………………… up with his homework.

need, lament, sweep, take, attend, help

What about me? I usually ………………………………… classes at the university the whole day, but today,
I ……………………………………… the yard, and ……………..……. my mom with the housework. I usually
…………….........not having classes, but today I ………..………………… advantage of the occasion because
I really ………………. a rest.

work, run, stay, broadcast, close

People always…………………………… on week days, but today, everybody ……………………home because

all businesses and offices ………………………….their doors. This morning, the
buses……….not………………………..on the streets and all TV channels
………………………………………………..the news.