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Present Simple vs Present Continuous – Test 1

A2 Elementary GrammarEnglish

This A2 grammar test checks whether learners can choose between the present simple and the present continuous. It covers affirmative, negative and question forms, time expressions, state verbs and the difference between routines and actions happening now. It is suitable for elementary learners, for classroom practice or self-study.

Questions
30
Time
30 min
PDF
4 pages
Answer key
Included
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Choose the correct option (A, B, C or D) for each question. Choose your answers, then press “Check my answers”.

Part 1: Form – affirmative, negative and questions

Choose the correct form to complete each sentence.

  1. Look! The children _____ in the garden.

  2. My brother _____ coffee every morning.

  3. Ana _____ meat. She's a vegetarian.

  4. _____ you usually walk to school?

  5. Why _____ Tom wearing a coat? It's hot today.

  6. We _____ TV right now. We're doing our homework.

  7. She is _____ a letter to her cousin.

  8. Where _____ your parents live?

Part 2: Meaning and use

Choose the best option. Think about routines, actions happening now, facts and state verbs.

  1. I _____ to the gym twice a week.

  2. Be quiet, please! The baby _____.

  3. I _____ what you mean.

  4. This soup _____ delicious. Can I have some more?

  5. Water _____ at 100 degrees Celsius.

  6. Kenji usually works in Tokyo, but this month he _____ in Osaka.

  7. "Sara is living with her aunt this year." What does this sentence mean?

  8. My dad is cooking dinner _____.

Part 3: Correct sentences and common errors

Choose the correct sentence, find the mistake, or choose the right question or answer.

  1. Choose the correct sentence.

  2. Which part of the sentence is wrong? "My sister don't work on Saturdays."

  3. Choose the correct question.

  4. Which part of the sentence is wrong? "Listen! Somebody knocks at the door."

  5. A: What do you do? B: _____

  6. Choose the question for this answer: "I'm waiting for the bus."

  7. Which part of the sentence is wrong? "Max is wanting a new bike for his birthday."

Part 4: Reading – complete the email

Read the email. Then choose the correct option for each gap (24–30).

Hi Priya,

How are you? I (24) ___ this email from my grandparents' house in the countryside. We usually (25) ___ our holidays at the beach, but this year we're here.

Every morning, my grandfather (26) ___ up at six o'clock and feeds the chickens. Right now he (27) ___ in the garden with my little brother. My grandmother (28) ___ a big lunch for everyone – it smells great!

I (29) ___ many people here, but I love it. (30) ___ you having a good summer?

Write soon,

Lucia

  1. (24) I _____ this email from my grandparents' house.

  2. (25) We usually _____ our holidays at the beach.

  3. (26) Every morning, my grandfather _____ up at six o'clock.

  4. (27) Right now he _____ in the garden with my little brother.

  5. (28) My grandmother _____ a big lunch for everyone – it smells great!

  6. (29) I _____ many people here, but I love it.

  7. (30) _____ you having a good summer?

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About this test

This A2 grammar test checks whether learners can choose between the present simple and the present continuous. It covers affirmative, negative and question forms, time expressions, state verbs and the difference between routines and actions happening now. It is suitable for elementary learners, for classroom practice or self-study.

Topics covered

Present simplePresent continuousNegatives and questionsTime expressionsState verbsTemporary vs permanent situationsCommon errors

How to use this test

  1. Download the PDF and print it, or take the test online below.
  2. Answer every question without a dictionary or time pressure.
  3. Check your answers and note the topics you need to review.

Notes for teachers

Use this test after teaching both tenses, or as a diagnostic before revision. It targets typical A2 errors: missing -s or does in the third person, the wrong auxiliary in questions (do/does vs am/is/are), using state verbs like like, know and want in the continuous, and mixing up 'What do you do?' with 'What are you doing?'. As a follow-up, students can write a short email about their routine and what they are doing this week, using both tenses.