Diagnostic test 1

Present tenses

Write the correct form of the words in brackets to complete the sentences. Use only the Present Simple (e.g. arrives/doesn't arrive) or the Present Continuous (e.g. is/are arriving). Example: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 It's nearly half past ten ... Do they always eat (they/always/eat) this late in Spain?

Carina ________________(enjoy) hospital dramas so she _______________ (watch) ER every night. Japanese cooking ___________________________(not use) a lot of dairy food. ____________ the interest rate __________________________(usually/change) because of inflation? Graham won't give up cigarettes. He __________________(smoke) about fifty a day. Britney Spears _____________________(stay) in the Waldorf Astoria on this visit to New York. We ___________________(take) a two-week winter holiday in Gstaad every year. I ______________________(feed) the neighbour's cat this week while she's in hospital. The court ____________________________(not/usually/send) first-time offenders to prison, but it is possible in exceptional circumstances. Then you _______________(mix) all the ingredients together quickly and ______________(put) the mixture in a hot oven for twenty minutes. I can see the leaders. The three front runners ______________________(turn) the corner into the stadium complex now. Julie, listen to this. It's Thursday evening and I _______________(get) home really late from the club, and she _______________(say) to me ... Hewitt certainly ________________________(not/play) his best tennis at the moment. Hurry up and buy your sandwich! Here ________________(come) the bus. Sorry I haven't phoned. I lost my address book. Oh, you _____________________________ (always/lose) your address book! Why don't you keep everything on the computer? The part-time philosophy course ___________________(consist of) twenty evening lectures and five full day seminars. _________________________(you/think) we should allow more than an hour to get to the station? We can't leave a ten-year-old child on her own. What on earth ________________________(you/think) of? Don't ask him! He ______________________(be) really difficult at the moment. Would you like to try these champagnes? We _____________________(taste) them to write a review for the wine club newsletter. We _______________________(guarantee) that you won't be disappointed with the performance of our new washing machine.

Write the correct form of the verb in brackets to complete this dialogue. Use the Present Simple or the Present Continuous. Sarah: Welcome to the programme. This afternoon I _____________________(stand) in the middle of the northern Black Forest, Germany, with Rainer Sanger, from Friends of the Forest. Rainer:Good afternoon, Sarah. Sarah: Rainer, you're very concerned about this area of the forest, aren't you? Can you tell us why? Rainer:Yes. Much of the forest was wiped out in the hurricane last winter, as you can see. Many of the trees are dead, and more ____________________(die) because of the irreversible damage. We at Friends of the Forest ____________________(believe) that the authorities _______________________(not/do) enough right now to restore this forest to its former state. Sarah: But they ___________________(clear) the dead trees away, aren't they? I saw some men on the way here... Rainer:Of course, but they ____________________(do) that every year. It's the normal procedure. We need more trees now, but they ________________________(not/plant) any new trees to replace those that died. Sarah: I see. But you have approached the authorities about this, I _______________________(understand). Rainer:We have tried, but each time they ______________________(say) that they haven't got enough money to restore the forest as quickly as we'd like. They _______________________(always/use) money as the excuse. It's getting really frustrating! Sarah: But it's not just an excuse, is it? They clearly _______________________(not/have) enough money for everything, and the hurricane was an unforeseen occurrence. Rainer:Of course, we appreciate that, and the point is that actually, we ______________________(not/ask) for much money. We would just like their guidance we can provide volunteers to work on the forest. Sarah: Oh, I see. Well, that's somewhat different. Now Rainer, could you tell us ... Choose the correct verb form for each sentence. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (houses/is housing) Spain's largest collection of Modern Art. We (try out/are trying out) a new paper supplier at the moment. The old one was too expensive. The children (don't eat/aren't eating) sweets and chocolate before they go to bed at night. It's bad for their teeth. These animals (display/are displaying) a great deal of aggression if disturbed. We (currently show/are currently showing) the film 'Star Wars' at all Odeon cinemas in the region. Quick! Get rid of all the mess! Here (come/are coming) Mum and Dad! The weather forecast says there'll be wind from the north-west tonight. That always (brings/is bringing) snow with it at this time of the year. The rubbish collectors (come/are coming) on Fridays in this area They (don't take/aren't taking) rubbish not left in black plastic bags. You (always complain/are always complaining) and it really gets on my nerves! Just try to relax more! (Does the orchestra play/ Is the orchestra playing) at the Town Hall this week? I'd really like to see them. Swimming (provides/is providing) exercise for more muscle groups than any other physical activity. What (do you consider/are you considering) to be the lowest price they'll sell the house for?