Present Continuous Tense Quiz With Answers
This Present Continuous Quiz is here to help you practice a tense that is all about what’s happening right now! The Present Continuous is used to describe actions that are ongoing, from "I am reading" to "They are laughing." In this quiz, you will explore examples that reflect real-life situations, helping you to understand when and how to use this tense effectively.
Each question gives you a chance to check your understanding and practice forming sentences with verbs like "is," "am," and "are" in action. Perfect for beginners and intermediate learners, this quiz is crafted to boost your confidence Read morewith grammar in a clear, simple way. So, let’s get started with the present continuous tense online test.
Present Continuous Tense Online Test Questions and Answers
- 1.
He.............................the letter to his wife now.
- A.
Is writeing
- B.
Is writing
- C.
Are writing
- D.
Am writing
Correct Answer
B. Is writingExplanation
The correct answer is "is writing." In this sentence, the present continuous tense is used to describe an action occurring at the current moment. The subject "he" is singular, which requires the use of "is" as the auxiliary verb. The main verb "write" takes the present participle form "writing" to indicate that the action is actively happening now. Therefore, "is writing" is grammatically correct and accurately represents the ongoing action of writing a letter at this specific time.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Jenny .......................................to school by bus now.
- A.
Is going
- B.
Is doing
- C.
Are going
- D.
Are doing
Correct Answer
A. Is goingExplanation
The correct answer is "is going." This sentence is in the present continuous tense, which is used to express actions happening right now. The subject "Jenny" is singular, so we must use the singular form of the auxiliary verb "is." The verb "go" changes to its present participle form "going" to show that the action is currently taking place. By using "is going," the sentence clearly communicates that Jenny is in the process of traveling to school by bus at this moment.Rate this question:
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- 3.
......................the teacher........................English at this time.
- A.
Are, teaching
- B.
Is, teaching
- C.
Do, teaching
- D.
Does, teaching
Correct Answer
B. Is, teachingExplanation
The correct answer is "is teaching." This question is framed in the present continuous tense, which indicates an action that is occurring right now. The subject "the teacher" is singular, so we need the auxiliary verb "is" to align with it. Following the auxiliary verb, the main verb "teach" must be in its present participle form "teaching." This construction clearly asks if the teacher is currently engaged in the act of teaching English, highlighting the immediacy of the action at this moment in time.Rate this question:
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- 4.
_________ you watching television now?
- A.
Are
- B.
Is
- C.
Do
- D.
Did
Correct Answer
A. AreExplanation
The correct answer is "Are." This question is directed toward the subject "you," which always requires the use of "are" when forming questions in the present tense. The auxiliary verb "are" is necessary here to indicate that the action is happening at the present moment. The use of "watching" as the main verb in its present participle form further emphasizes that this action is currently in progress. Therefore, the question effectively asks if the listener is presently engaged in watching television right now.Rate this question:
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- 5.
We _________ for our English test at the moment.
- A.
Study
- B.
Are studying
- C.
Is studying
- D.
Studied
Correct Answer
B. Are studyingExplanation
The correct answer is "are studying." In this sentence, we are using the present continuous tense to convey that an action is happening at the current moment. The subject "we" is plural, which requires the use of the auxiliary verb "are." The main verb "study" transforms into its present participle form "studying" to accurately depict the ongoing action of preparing for the English test. Thus, "are studying" indicates that the speaker and others are actively engaged in studying at this very time.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Today, it is not raining. The sun _________ now.
- A.
Shine
- B.
Shone
- C.
Is shining
- D.
Are shining
Correct Answer
C. Is shiningExplanation
The correct answer is "is shining." This sentence describes the current state of the sun, indicating that it is actively shining at this moment. In the present tense, we employ "is" to agree with the singular subject "the sun." The verb "shine" is changed to its present participle form "shining" to reflect that the action is happening right now. Therefore, "is shining" accurately conveys that the sun is currently illuminating the sky, emphasizing its ongoing presence and brightness at this time.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Please be quiet. I _________to the news now.
- A.
Am listening
- B.
Listen
- C.
Is listening
- D.
Are listening
Correct Answer
A. Am listeningExplanation
The correct answer is "am listening." This sentence employs the present continuous tense to communicate that the action is taking place at this very moment. The subject "I" requires the auxiliary verb "am" when forming present continuous constructions. The main verb "listen" changes to "listening," which indicates that the speaker is actively engaged in the act of listening to the news right now. Therefore, "am listening" clearly conveys the urgency of the request for quiet, as the speaker is focused on their current activity.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What are you doing? _________ a model plane.
- A.
I make
- B.
I making
- C.
I am making
- D.
I made
Correct Answer
C. I am makingExplanation
The correct answer is "I am making." This sentence is framed in the present continuous tense, which indicates an action that is happening at this moment of speaking. The subject "I" requires the auxiliary verb "am" to form this tense. The main verb "make" takes on the present participle form "making" to demonstrate that the speaker is currently engaged in the act of creating a model plane. Therefore, "I am making" effectively communicates that this action is taking place right now.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What.................you.......................now?
- A.
Am, do
- B.
Are, do
- C.
Are, doing
- D.
Is, doing
Correct Answer
C. Are, doingExplanation
The correct answer is "are doing." This question is posed in the present continuous tense to inquire about an action currently in progress. The subject "you" necessitates the use of the auxiliary verb "are" when asking questions in the present tense. The main verb "do" is correctly transformed into its present participle form "doing," which indicates that the action is ongoing. Thus, "What are you doing?" is a straightforward way to ask someone about their current activity at this moment.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Jenny and Jane.........................................football right now at school.
- A.
Is playing
- B.
Play
- C.
Playing
- D.
Are playing
Correct Answer
D. Are playingExplanation
The correct answer is "are playing." The subject "Jenny and Jane" is a compound subject, making it plural, which necessitates the use of the auxiliary verb "are." The present continuous tense is employed here to indicate that the action of playing football is happening at the current moment. The verb "play" must be in the present participle form "playing" to accurately reflect this ongoing action. Therefore, "are playing" effectively communicates that both girls are actively engaged in playing football right now at school.Rate this question:
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- 11.
She _______ to her favorite song right now.
- A.
Sings
- B.
Is singing
- C.
Sing
- D.
Are singing
Correct Answer
B. Is singingExplanation
To understand why "is singing" is correct, we need to identify the present continuous tense, which describes actions happening right now. Here, the subject "she" requires a singular auxiliary verb, which is "is." The main verb "sing" transforms into "singing" to show an action currently taking place. Using "is singing" maintains the continuity of the action, and the other options like "sings" and "are singing" don’t match the structure needed for this tense. "Sing" is a simple present form, while "are singing" is for plural subjects, making "is singing" the only correct choice.Rate this question:
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- 12.
We _______ our homework at the moment.
- A.
Do
- B.
Are doing
- C.
Is doing
- D.
Doing
Correct Answer
B. Are doingExplanation
"Are doing" is correct here because the subject "we" is plural and requires the plural auxiliary verb "are." In present continuous tense, we combine the correct form of "to be" with the "-ing" form of the main verb, in this case, "doing." This construction shows that "we" are actively in the process of completing homework. The options "do," "is doing," and "doing" are incorrect as they either miss the continuous aspect or are singular forms that don’t fit with the plural subject "we." Hence, "are doing" accurately reflects the ongoing action.Rate this question:
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- 13.
They _______ a movie in the living room.
- A.
Are watching
- B.
Watching
- C.
Watch
- D.
Is watching
Correct Answer
A. Are watchingExplanation
The correct answer "are watching" aligns with the subject "they," which is plural, so it needs the plural auxiliary verb "are." In present continuous tense, we show an action happening now by pairing the auxiliary verb with the "-ing" form of the main verb. Here, "watch" becomes "watching" to indicate this ongoing activity. Options like "watch," "watching," and "is watching" are incorrect because they either imply a non-continuous action or use a singular verb. Therefore, "are watching" is the only correct structure for describing "they" as actively watching a movie.Rate this question:
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- 14.
I _______ for my keys because I lost them.
- A.
Am looking
- B.
Look
- C.
Is looking
- D.
Looking
Correct Answer
A. Am lookingExplanation
The phrase "am looking" is correct because the subject "I" requires the auxiliary verb "am" in the present continuous tense. This tense is used to describe actions happening at the moment, and "looking" is the "-ing" form of "look," which shows an ongoing activity. Other options, such as "look," "is looking," and "looking," either imply a simple present action, a different subject form, or lack the auxiliary verb needed for continuous tense. Therefore, "am looking" precisely conveys the action of actively searching for keys in the present moment.Rate this question:
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- 15.
You _______ dinner while I set the table.
- A.
Cook
- B.
Cooking
- C.
Are cooking
- D.
Cooks
Correct Answer
C. Are cookingExplanation
"Are cooking" is correct because "you" as the subject pairs with the auxiliary verb "are" in present continuous tense. This tense shows an action that is happening now, and we need the "-ing" form of the verb "cook" to convey this ongoing process. Alternatives like "cook" and "cooks" are in simple present tense, and "cooking" alone lacks the auxiliary verb to create the continuous form. Using "are cooking" accurately represents the simultaneous preparation of dinner while another action—setting the table—occurs, making it the best choice.Rate this question:
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Nov 05, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Mar 26, 2013Quiz Created by
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