The Simple Present vs the Present Progressive

Instructions:

Please use the questions bank to answer the questions below

Instructions: use the answer below to answer the questions in the exercise

Time's up

Answer Bank

1. Yes, I enjoy reading books.
2. No, I am not going to the party tonight.
3. Yes, he plays the guitar.
4. Yes, she is working on a new project.
5. Yes, I love to travel.
6. Yes, they are coming to the event.
7. Yes, it rains often in my city.
8. Yes, I am currently watching a few TV shows.
9. Yes, I have a dog as a pet.
10. Yes, he is studying for the exam.
11. Yes, I am interested in learning a new language.
12. No, she doesn’t go to the gym regularly.
13. Yes, they are planning a vacation.
14. Yes, I drink coffee in the morning.
15. No, it is not cold outside.

Hesitators

Hesitators, also known as fillers or hesitation devices, are words or phrases used in speech to fill pauses or to give the speaker time to think. They can be particularly useful in language learning contexts, including interviews or conversational exercises, to make the interaction feel more natural. Here are some common hesitators in English:

Well
Um
Uh
You know
So
Actually
Basically
Like
I mean
Let me see

Use these hesitators to become more comfortable with speaking spontaneously, making your conversation flow more naturally. It can also reduce the pressure of having to respond immediately without thinking, which is a common challenge for language learners.

Conversational Practice

“Exploring Tenses: A Conversational Journey”

Instructions:

Pair up with a classmate and take turns asking each other the questions provided. Focus on using the Simple Present tense for habitual actions and the Present Progressive tense for activities happening right now or around the current period. Listen carefully to your partner’s responses, and feel free to ask follow-up questions to extend the conversation. This exercise aims to enhance your understanding and usage of these tenses in a natural, conversational context. Enjoy the journey of sharing and learning about each other’s routines and current activities!

Conversational Practice 1

Set 1: Daily Routines and Current Activities

1. Simple Present: What do you usually do in the morning?
2. Present Progressive: What are you doing this weekend?
3. Simple Present: How often do you study English?
4. Present Progressive: Are you reading any interesting books right now?
5. Simple Present: Where do you typically eat lunch?
6. Present Progressive: Who are you talking to these days about your future plans?
7. Simple Present: What subjects do you study at school?
8. Present Progressive: How are you improving your English outside of class?
9. Simple Present: What time do you go to bed during the weekdays?
10. Present Progressive: What are you thinking about right now?

Set 2: Hobbies and Current Projects

1. Simple Present: What hobbies do you have?
2. Present Progressive: What project are you working on at the moment?
3. Simple Present: How often do you practice your hobby?
4. Present Progressive: Are you learning something new these days?
5. Simple Present: Do you play any sports?
6. Present Progressive: Are you participating in any sports activities this week?
7. Simple Present: What kind of music do you listen to?
8. Present Progressive: Are you listening to any new music artists lately?
9. Simple Present: Where do you usually spend your holidays?
10. Present Progressive: Are you planning any trips for the upcoming holidays?

These questions are designed to facilitate conversation, encourage Students to use both tenses in a natural and engaging way. By interviewing each other, students can practice listening and speaking in English, enhancing their comprehension and usage of the Simple Present and Present Progressive tenses.

Potencial Answers

Set 1: Daily Routines and Current Activities

1. I usually wake up at 7 AM and have breakfast.
2. I’m visiting my relatives this weekend.
3. I study English every day for an hour.
4. I’m reading a novel about adventure and mystery.
5. I typically eat lunch at a small café near my school.
6. I’m talking to my teacher about my future plans.
7. I study mathematics, science, and English at school.
8. I’m watching English movies with subtitles to improve my language skills.
9. I go to bed at 10 PM during the weekdays.
10. I’m thinking about what to do for my next holiday.

Set 2: Hobbies and Current Projects

1. My hobbies are painting and cycling.
2. I’m working on a science project about renewable energy.
3. I practice painting every weekend for about two hours.
4. I’m learning how to play the guitar these days.
5. Yes, I play football with my friends.
6. I’m participating in a basketball tournament this week.
7. I listen to a lot of rock music.
8. I’m listening to a new band called The Midnight Riders lately.
9. I usually spend my holidays at the beach with my family.
10. I’m planning a trip to the mountains for the upcoming holidays.

These answers can serve as examples to follow when formulating responses, offering a guide to structuring answers in both the Simple Present and Present Progressive tenses.

Adverbs of sequence

Adverbs of sequence are words that help to order events or steps in a process, making descriptions clearer and more logical. They’re particularly useful in instructions, storytelling, and explaining procedures. Here’s a list of common adverbs of sequence:

1. Firstly
2. Secondly
3. Thirdly
4. Then
5. Next
6. After that
7. Later
8. Finally
9. Eventually
10. Lastly

These adverbs can help you structure your thoughts and speech, especially when describing sequences of events or steps in a process.

Sample Conversation

Alex: So, um, how should we plan our road trip next weekend?

Jamie: Firstly, we need to decide on the destination. Uh, what about going to the lake?

Alex: Sounds good. Then, we should, you know, make a list of things to bring.

Jamie: After that, we can figure out the food. I can, um, prepare sandwiches and snacks for the journey.

Alex: Great idea. Next, we should check the car. Maybe, uh, take it for a quick service if needed.

Jamie: Finally, let’s create a playlist for the drive. It’ll, like, make the trip more enjoyable.

Alex: Perfect! Lastly, we’ll confirm the time to leave on Friday, okay?

here are two sets of questions designed to encourage the use of adverbs of sequence by students. These questions can be used to guide conversations or written exercises, allowing students to practice organizing their thoughts in a sequential manner.

Conversational Practice 2

Set 1: Daily Routine

1. Describe the first thing you do in the morning. What comes next?
2. Explain how you prepare for school or work. Start with the first step.
3. What is your evening routine? Begin with what you do right after coming home.
4. How do you get ready for bed? Detail the steps starting with what you do firstly.
5. Describe the process of making your favorite meal. Use sequence adverbs to order the steps.

Set 2: Planning an Event

1. Imagine you’re organizing a birthday party. What is the first thing you would do? Continue with the next steps.
2. How would you plan a weekend trip? Start with the initial step.
3. Describe the steps involved in preparing for an important exam, beginning with the earliest stage.
4. If you were to create a project for a class, what would be your first step? What comes after that?
5. Explain how you would organize a study group session. Use adverbs of sequence to structure your answer.

These questions are designed to give students ample opportunity to use adverbs of sequence in their responses, helping them to convey information in a clear, orderly fashion.

Potencial Answers

here are concise sample answers for each question, incorporating adverbs of sequence to demonstrate their use.

Set 1: Daily Routine

1. Firstly, I turn off my alarm. Then, I get out of bed and brush my teeth.
2. Firstly, I choose my outfit for the day. Next, I have breakfast, and finally, I grab my bag and leave the house.
3. After coming home, I change into comfortable clothes. Then, I prepare dinner, and later, I watch a bit of TV before doing my chores.
4. Firstly, I take a warm shower. After that, I brush my teeth, and finally, I read a book until I feel sleepy.
5. Firstly, I boil water for pasta. Next, I prepare the sauce by sautéing vegetables. Finally, I mix the pasta with the sauce and serve it.

Set 2: Planning an Event

1. Firstly, I decide on a date and venue. Then, I send out invitations, and finally, I plan the menu and activities.
2. Firstly, I research destinations and decide where to go. Next, I book transportation and accommodation, and after that, I plan the itinerary.
3. Firstly, I create a study schedule. Then, I gather all necessary materials, and finally, I begin a comprehensive review, focusing on one topic at a time.
4. Firstly, I choose a topic that interests me. Next, I outline the project’s structure, and after that, I start gathering information and resources.
5. Firstly, I decide on a date and time that works for everyone. Then, I select which subjects or topics we’ll focus on, and finally, I prepare materials and questions for discussion.

These responses use adverbs of sequence to clearly articulate the steps involved in each scenario, providing a structured and logical progression of events or actions.