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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Try the English Present Simple and Continuous Quiz

Assess Your Present Simple and Continuous Usage Now

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements related to English Present Simple and Continuous Quiz

Dive into the English Present Simple and Continuous Quiz to strengthen verb tense skills. This mixed-format quiz blends elements of the Present Simple Grammar Quiz and the Present Continuous Grammar Quiz, offering practical grammar challenges. Ideal for students, teachers, and self-learners aiming to test knowledge and improve tense accuracy. All questions can be freely modified in the editor to match learning goals. Explore more quizzes to continue enhancing English proficiency!

She ____ to school every day.
is going
going
go
goes
The present simple "goes" is used for habitual actions like attending school daily. "Is going" would imply a current action rather than a routine.
I ____ dinner right now.
cook
cooks
cooking
am cooking
"Am cooking" is present continuous, indicating an ongoing action at this moment. The simple form "cook" does not convey that the action is happening now.
They ____ coffee every morning.
drinks
are drinking
drinking
drink
"Drink" is the correct present simple for a habitual action. "Are drinking" would suggest they are having coffee right now, not as a daily routine.
He usually ____ the bus to work.
taking
take
takes
is taking
The adverb "usually" signals a habitual action, so we use the simple form "takes." "Is taking" would indicate a current, temporary action.
Look! It ____.
rained
rains
raining
is raining
When describing an action happening right now, we use the present continuous "is raining." The simple "rains" describes a general fact, not a current event.
At the moment, she ____ for her exams.
is studying
studies
has studied
study
"Is studying" is present continuous for an ongoing activity at this moment. The simple "studies" would imply a habitual action, not a current one.
Usually, I ____ my homework in the evening.
am doing
doing
does
do
The adverb "usually" indicates a habitual action, so we use the present simple "do." "Am doing" suggests a specific ongoing action, which conflicts with "usually."
Right now, he ____ video games. He is finishing his homework first.
not plays
won't play
doesn't play
isn't playing
The phrase "right now" calls for present continuous in the negative form: "isn't playing." "Doesn't play" refers to a general habit, not a current action.
Why ____ you ____ so much noise?
are you making
making
do you make
you are making
In questions about current actions, we use present continuous: "are you making." "Do you make" would ask about a general habit, not a current disturbance.
I ____ an interesting book these days.
am reading
reading
read
reads
"These days" can be used with present continuous to describe a temporary activity, so "am reading" is correct. The simple "read" would not emphasize the ongoing nature.
They ____ French very well.
speak
are speaking
spoken
speaks
The present simple "speak" describes a general ability. Present continuous would imply they are speaking right now, which does not match the statement.
He ____ television at 8 pm every night.
watches
watch
is watching
watching
The adverbial phrase "every night" signals a habitual action, so the present simple "watches" is correct. "Is watching" would describe a specific moment.
Be quiet! The baby ____.
is sleeping
sleeps
sleeping
do sleep
An action happening right now uses present continuous: "is sleeping." The simple form "sleeps" describes a habitual action, not the current state.
Tom and Jerry ____ cartoons on TV.
watching
are watching
watch
watches
Without a time marker implying the present moment, we use the simple form "watch" for a habitual action. "Are watching" suggests they are doing it now.
Sarah ____ her car to work now because her bike is broken.
drives
driving
drive
is driving
The phrase "now" indicates an ongoing action, so we choose the present continuous "is driving." The simple "drives" would not convey that it is happening at this moment.
Listen! The birds ____ in the trees.
will chirp
chirp
chirps
are chirping
"Listen!" cues an action happening right now, which uses the present continuous "are chirping." The simple forms describe habits or future actions.
I ____ you.
am believing
believing
believes
believe
The verb "believe" is a stative verb and is not normally used in continuous forms. "Believe" in present simple expresses current mental state.
This cake ____ delicious.
tastes
tasting
is tasting
taste
Perception verbs like "taste" use the simple form to describe opinions or states. "Is tasting" would suggest an action rather than a state of being delicious.
Why ____ you ____ me all the time?
are ignoring
do you ignore
ignore
you ignore
The adverb "all the time" can pair with present continuous for criticism of repeated behavior, so "are ignoring" is correct. The simple form does not convey the speaker's irritation effectively.
They ____ for their test next Monday.
are studying
study
studying
will study
Present continuous can express planned future arrangements, as in "are studying for their test next Monday." The simple form never indicates a planned future activity as clearly.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify correct Present Simple and Continuous verb forms in context
  2. Distinguish between habitual actions and ongoing activities
  3. Apply the appropriate tense to describe regular and current events
  4. Demonstrate understanding of common signal words for each tense
  5. Analyse sentence structure to select the accurate verb form

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the Present Simple Tense - The present simple is your trusty sidekick for habits, routines and timeless facts. Think "She walks to school every day" to capture those daily habits crystal clear. Woodward English: Present Simple vs Present Continuous
  2. Master the Present Continuous Tense - Use the present continuous to describe actions happening right now or temporary adventures. It's perfect for telling friends "He is studying for his exams this week" with energy. Woodward English: Present Simple vs Present Continuous
  3. Recognize Signal Words - Spot those time-markers like a detective: "always" and "every day" point to present simple, while "now" and "at the moment" shout present continuous. These clues keep you on the correct tense trail! English by Kate: Signal Words for Present Tenses
  4. Differentiate Habitual Actions vs Ongoing Activities - Reserve the present simple for routines ("I drink coffee every morning") and switch to the continuous for things unfolding right now ("I am drinking coffee right now"). It's like choosing the right filter for your Instagram story! Perfect English Grammar: Simple or Continuous?
  5. Formulate Questions Correctly - Flip words like a grammar ninja: in present simple use "do/does" ("Does she play tennis?"), and in present continuous invert "be" ("Is she playing tennis?"). Practice makes perfect interrogations! LSI: Simple Present vs Present Continuous
  6. Construct Negative Sentences Properly - Block verbs like a pro: present simple needs "do/does not" ("He does not like pizza"), while continuous adds "not" after "be" ("He is not eating pizza"). Negation never looked so slick! LSI: Simple Present vs Present Continuous
  7. Avoid Using Stative Verbs in Present Continuous - Some verbs (know, believe, own) don't play nicely with "-ing." Instead of "I am knowing the answer," stick with "I know the answer" and keep your sentences solid! Scribbr: Present Continuous Guide
  8. Use Present Continuous for Future Plans - Book your calendar in style: "We are meeting at 6 PM tomorrow" uses the continuous to lock in real plans. It's like sending an invitation that sounds super official! Perfect English Grammar: Simple or Continuous?
  9. Pay Attention to Spelling Changes - When you add "-ing," watch those letters adapt: "run" becomes "running," "lie" becomes "lying." It's grammar with a little bit of word magic! LSI: Simple Present vs Present Continuous
  10. Practice with Real-Life Examples - Flex your new skills by writing sentences about your day: "I usually read before bed" for routines and "I am reading a great book right now" for the live action. Perfect English Grammar: Tense Exercises
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