Present Simple And Present Continuous Quiz
The Present Simple and Present Continuous Quiz is designed to help students solidify their understanding of these two essential tenses in English grammar. In this quiz, you will practice choosing the correct tense for different sentences, ensuring you know when to use the Present Simple for routines or facts and the Present Continuous for ongoing or temporary actions.
By answering a variety of present simple and present continuous exercises MCQs, you will strengthen your grammar skills and gain a clearer sense of how to apply each tense effectively in context. Complete the quiz and discover where you stand, enhancing Read moreyour grammar for both academic and everyday use!
Present Simple and Present Continuous Questions and Answers
- 1.
Tim _______ in a bank.
- A.
Work
- B.
Works
- C.
Is work
- D.
Working
Correct Answer
B. WorksExplanation
The correct sentence is "Tim works in a bank." This is because the subject "Tim" is a third-person singular noun, requiring the verb to be in the present simple form, which is often used for stating habitual actions or facts. For singular subjects like "Tim," the verb takes an "-s" ending in the present simple, so "works" is the correct form. The other options ("work," "is work," and "working") are incorrect because they do not follow the subject-verb agreement rules for the present simple tense in this context.Rate this question:
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- 2.
We usually _______ our grandparents at the weekend.
- A.
Visit
- B.
Are visiting
- C.
Visiting
- D.
Visits
Correct Answer
A. VisitExplanation
The correct sentence is "We usually visit our grandparents at the weekend." In this sentence, "we" is a plural subject, and the verb "visit" remains in its base form without any extra endings because it is in the present simple tense. This tense is used here to describe regular actions. The other options ("are visiting," "visiting," and "visits") do not match the subject-verb agreement or the structure for habitual actions, so "visit" is the correct choice.Rate this question:
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- 3.
We _______ our grandparents this weekend.
- A.
Visit
- B.
Are visiting
- C.
Visiting
- D.
Visits
Correct Answer
B. Are visitingExplanation
The correct sentence is "We are visiting our grandparents this weekend." Present continuous tense, as used here, is appropriate for describing planned future events or arrangements. The phrase "this weekend" indicates a specific future time, which supports the use of the present continuous. The other options ("visit," "visiting," and "visits") do not convey the intended future plan or arrangement, making "are visiting" the right choice.Rate this question:
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- 4.
He _______ late, and that's really annoying!
- A.
Is always come
- B.
Always comes
- C.
Always come
- D.
Coming
Correct Answer
B. Always comesExplanation
The correct sentence is "He always comes late, and that's really annoying!" Here, "always" is an adverb of frequency, typically placed before the main verb "comes" in the present simple tense. Since "He" is a third-person singular subject, the verb "comes" needs an "-s" ending. The other options ("is always come," "always come," and "coming") do not align with the subject-verb agreement or correct sentence structure.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What time _______ the film _______?
- A.
Is, starting
- B.
Do, start
- C.
Does, starts
- D.
Does, start
Correct Answer
D. Does, startExplanation
The correct question is "What time does the film start?" Here, "does" serves as the auxiliary verb because "the film" is third-person singular, making "start" the base form. The present simple tense is appropriate for questions about scheduled events. The other options ("is, starting," "do, start," and "does, starts") do not follow the correct question structure or verb agreement.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The bus _______ in ten minutes.
- A.
Leaves
- B.
Left
- C.
Leave
- D.
Leaving
Correct Answer
A. LeavesExplanation
The correct sentence is "The bus leaves in ten minutes." The present simple tense, as used here, describes scheduled events, such as bus or train departures. "Leaves" is the appropriate third-person singular form to match the subject "The bus." The other options do not align with the intended meaning or correct subject-verb agreement.Rate this question:
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- 7.
I _______ what to do.
- A.
Am not knowing
- B.
Not know
- C.
Doesn't know
- D.
Don't know
Correct Answer
D. Don't knowExplanation
The correct sentence is "I don't know what to do." Here, "don't" is the contraction of "do not," used with "I" in the present simple tense to express a general truth or fact. The other options ("am not knowing," "not know," and "doesn't know") do not fit grammatically, either due to incorrect negation or subject-verb agreement.Rate this question:
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- 8.
I _______ up at seven o'clock every morning.
- A.
Get
- B.
Am getting
- C.
Getting
- D.
Gets
Correct Answer
A. GetExplanation
The correct sentence is "I get up at seven o'clock every morning." This is a habitual action, so the present simple tense is used. "Get" is the correct verb form to match the subject "I" without any extra endings. The other options ("am getting," "getting," and "gets") do not fit the context of expressing a routine.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What time _______ you _______ to work in the mornings?
- A.
Are, going
- B.
Are, go
- C.
Does, go
- D.
Do, go
Correct Answer
D. Do, goExplanation
The correct question is "What time do you go to work in the mornings?" The present simple tense is used for habitual actions, and "do" is the auxiliary verb for forming questions with "you." The other options ("are, going," "are, go," and "does, go") do not match the subject-verb agreement or correct question structure.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The earth _______ around the sun.
- A.
Go
- B.
Going
- C.
Is going
- D.
Goes
Correct Answer
D. GoesExplanation
The sentence describes a general truth or fact about the Earth's movement. The simple present tense ("goes") is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, or facts. In this case, the Earth's revolution around the Sun is a continuous and unchanging phenomenon.
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- 11.
Which sentence uses the present continuous tense correctly?
- A.
I am believing you.
- B.
She is having a new car.
- C.
They are seeming happy.
- D.
He is feeling unwell today.
Correct Answer
D. He is feeling unwell today.Explanation
The present continuous tense is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking or temporary states. "Feeling" is a stative verb that can be used in the continuous tense to describe temporary physical or emotional states, like "feeling unwell." The other options are incorrect because "believe," "have," and "seem" are stative verbs that do not typically appear in the continuous form. Therefore, "He is feeling unwell today" correctly uses the present continuous tense.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Identify the sentence with the correct use of the present simple tense.
- A.
The sun is rising in the east every morning.
- B.
I am knowing the answer to this question.
- C.
She is looking beautiful in that dress.
- D.
They are wanting to go to the park.
Correct Answer
A. The sun is rising in the east every morning.Explanation
The present simple tense is used for habitual actions, general truths, or facts. The sun rising every morning is a general truth, but the sentence is actually in the present continuous tense, which is typically used for actions happening at the moment or future scheduled events. To correct the sentence, it should say "The sun rises in the east every morning." The other options are incorrect because "know," "look," and "want" are stative verbs that shouldn't be used in the present continuous tense.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- A.
He loves to play football, but he not playing today.
- B.
She is usually arriving late, but she is on time today.
- C.
They are understanding the lesson, but they are needing more practice.
- D.
I am always going to the gym, but I am staying home today.
Correct Answer
D. I am always going to the gym, but I am staying home today.Explanation
This sentence correctly uses the present simple ("I am always going to the gym") for habitual actions and the present continuous ("I am staying home today") for a current action. The other sentences are incorrect because they mix stative verbs or incorrect tense usage. For example, "He not playing today" should be "He is not playing today," and "They are understanding" should be "They understand" as "understand" is a stative verb.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Choose the sentence that accurately describes a scheduled future event.
- A.
The train is leaving at 10 am tomorrow.
- B.
I am meeting my friends for dinner tonight.
- C.
They are going on vacation next week.
- D.
She is graduating from college next year.
Correct Answer
A. The train is leaving at 10 am tomorrow.Explanation
While the present continuous can sometimes be used for future events, it is typically used for events that are planned or arranged. In this case, the train leaving at 10 am is a scheduled event, not a personal arrangement. The other options describe personal plans, making the present continuous more appropriate.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which sentence correctly uses the present simple tense to describe a permanent situation?
- A.
I am living in London for the past five years.
- B.
She is working as a doctor since 2018.
- C.
They are owning a beautiful house in the countryside.
- D.
He is belonging to a local football club.
Correct Answer
C. They are owning a beautiful house in the countryside.Explanation
The present simple is used for permanent situations or states. Owning a house is a long-term situation. The other options are incorrect because they use stative verbs ("live," "work," "belong") in the present continuous, which is not grammatically correct for describing permanent states.Rate this question:
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Jan 13, 2025Quiz Edited by
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Mar 19, 2012Quiz Created by
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