3. Present Simple and Continuous paper 1 | PDF - Free Printable

Task: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the present simple or present continuous.

Here is the solution to the worksheet, along with explanations for each answer:

---

#### 1. My father ______ (wash) the car. He always ______ (wash) it on Saturday morning.
- Answer:
- My father is washing the car. He always washes it on Saturday morning.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present continuous tense (`is washing`) because the action is happening right now.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`washes`) because it describes a regular habit or routine.

---

#### 2. What ______ (Peter / do)? "I ______ (think) he ______ (do) the homework in his bedroom."
- Answer:
- What does Peter do? "I think he is doing the homework in his bedroom."
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`does Peter do?`) because it asks about Peter's job or profession.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`think`) because it describes a general belief.
- The third blank uses the present continuous tense (`is doing`) because it refers to an ongoing action at this moment.

---

#### 3. "Don't make a noise! The baby ______ (sleep) at the moment."
- Answer:
- "Don't make a noise! The baby is sleeping at the moment."
- Explanation:
- The present continuous tense (`is sleeping`) is used because the baby is currently asleep at this moment.

---

#### 4. Mary's father usually ______ (drive) her to school, but this week she ______ (take) the bus.
- Answer:
- Mary's father usually drives her to school, but this week she is taking the bus.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`drives`) because it describes a regular habit.
- The second blank uses the present continuous tense (`is taking`) because it refers to a specific situation happening this week.

---

#### 5. We ______ (start) school at 8:30 and the last lesson ______ (be) at 2:30 p.m.
- Answer:
- We start school at 8:30 and the last lesson is at 2:30 p.m.
- Explanation:
- Both blanks use the present simple tense (`start` and `is`) because they describe regular routines or schedules.

---

#### 6. "Where ______ (you / go) on holiday, Susan?" "I ______ (not know), my parents ______ (not want) to go to the beach again."
- Answer:
- "Where are you going on holiday, Susan?" "I don't know, my parents don't want to go to the beach again."
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present continuous tense (`are you going`) because it asks about future plans.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`don't know`) because it describes a current state of knowledge.
- The third blank uses the present simple tense (`don't want`) because it describes a current preference.

---

#### 7. I ______ (be) afraid I ______ (can't / go) to the cinema this evening, I ______ (revise) for tomorrow's exam this afternoon.
- Answer:
- I am afraid I can't go to the cinema this evening, I am revising for tomorrow's exam this afternoon.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`am`) because it describes a current feeling.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`can't go`) because it refers to a planned activity.
- The third blank uses the present continuous tense (`am revising`) because it refers to an ongoing action happening this afternoon.

---

#### 8. Hurry up, children! The bus ______ (come).
- Answer:
- Hurry up, children! The bus is coming.
- Explanation:
- The present continuous tense (`is coming`) is used because the bus is approaching right now.

---

#### 9. ______ (Mandy / like) pasta? No, she ______.
- Answer:
- Does Mandy like pasta? No, she doesn't.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`Does Mandy like`) because it asks about a general preference.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`doesn't`) because it provides a negative response to the question.

---

#### 10. The newsagent's ______ (not open) at 9:30 a.m., it ______ (open) at 9:45 a.m.
- Answer:
- The newsagent's is not open at 9:30 a.m., it opens at 9:45 a.m.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`is not open`) because it describes a current state.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`opens`) because it describes a regular schedule.

---

#### 11. Paul sometimes ______ (watch) TV after lunch.
- Answer:
- Paul sometimes watches TV after lunch.
- Explanation:
- The present simple tense (`watches`) is used because it describes a habitual action.

---

#### 12. How often ______ (the children / play) football?
- Answer:
- How often do the children play football?
- Explanation:
- The present simple tense (`do the children play`) is used because it asks about a regular activity.

---

#### 13. Don't go out! It ______ (rain) cats and dogs.
- Answer:
- Don't go out! It is raining cats and dogs.
- Explanation:
- The present continuous tense (`is raining`) is used because it describes an ongoing action happening right now.

---

#### 14. Mum ______ (water) the flowers right now.
- Answer:
- Mum is watering the flowers right now.
- Explanation:
- The present continuous tense (`is watering`) is used because the action is happening at this moment.

---

#### 15. Why ______ (you / not come) to the café with me? I ______ (meet) Susan there at 6:30 p.m.
- Answer:
- Why aren't you coming to the café with me? I am meeting Susan there at 6:30 p.m.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present continuous tense (`aren't you coming`) because it refers to a planned action.
- The second blank uses the present continuous tense (`am meeting`) because it refers to a scheduled meeting happening later today.

---

#### 16. "______ (you / like) my new dress, Alice?" "Yes, I ______ (look) great!"
- Answer:
- "Do you like my new dress, Alice?" "Yes, I look great!"
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`Do you like`) because it asks about a general opinion.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`look`) because it describes a current appearance.

---

#### 17. My brother ______ (study) a lot these days; he ______ (want) to pass his exams.
- Answer:
- My brother is studying a lot these days; he wants to pass his exams.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present continuous tense (`is studying`) because it describes an ongoing action happening recently.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`wants`) because it describes a current desire.

---

#### 18. Tony never ______ (have) lunch at the canteen because he ______ (finish) school at 2:15 p.m.
- Answer:
- Tony never has lunch at the canteen because he finishes school at 2:15 p.m.
- Explanation:
- The first blank uses the present simple tense (`has`) because it describes a regular habit.
- The second blank uses the present simple tense (`finishes`) because it describes a regular schedule.

---

Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{My father is washing the car. He always washes it on Saturday morning.} \\
2. \text{What does Peter do? "I think he is doing the homework in his bedroom."} \\
3. \text{"Don't make a noise! The baby is sleeping at the moment."} \\
4. \text{Mary's father usually drives her to school, but this week she is taking the bus.} \\
5. \text{We start school at 8:30 and the last lesson is at 2:30 p.m.} \\
6. \text{"Where are you going on holiday, Susan?" "I don't know, my parents don't want to go to the beach again."} \\
7. \text{I am afraid I can't go to the cinema this evening, I am revising for tomorrow's exam this afternoon.} \\
8. \text{Hurry up, children! The bus is coming.} \\
9. \text{Does Mandy like pasta? No, she doesn't.} \\
10. \text{The newsagent's is not open at 9:30 a.m., it opens at 9:45 a.m.} \\
11. \text{Paul sometimes watches TV after lunch.} \\
12. \text{How often do the children play football?} \\
13. \text{Don't go out! It is raining cats and dogs.} \\
14. \text{Mum is watering the flowers right now.} \\
15. \text{Why aren't you coming to the café with me? I am meeting Susan there at 6:30 p.m.} \\
16. \text{"Do you like my new dress, Alice?" "Yes, I look great!"} \\
17. \text{My brother is studying a lot these days; he wants to pass his exams.} \\
18. \text{Tony never has lunch at the canteen because he finishes school at 2:15 p.m.}
\end{array}
}