Grammar Exercises

Present Simple or Continuous ? (1)

Complete the sentences using the present simple or the present continuous form of the verb in brackets. Use the short form where possible.

  1.  Can I borrow those scissors or ______________ them at the moment? (you / use)
  2.  The milk ______________ a bit funny. I think it’s off. (taste)
  3.  I usually ______________ the train to work but this week I ______________ .  (take) ; (drive)
  4.  Hurry up! Everybody ______________  for you. (wait)
  5.  I ______________ milk chocolate to dark chocolate. What about you? (prefer)
  6.  Look! The bus ______________ . (come)
  7.  “What ______________ ?” (you/do)
    – “I’m an engineer.”
  8.  “What ______________?” (you/do)
    – “I ______________ to fix your computer.” (try)
  9.  “What ______________ ? (you/cook) It ______________ delicious!” (smell)
  10.  It ______________ here very often. (not / rain)
  11.  Gabriella always ______________ at the Four Seasons Hotel when she visits the city.  (stay)
  12.  I ______________ at my sister’s place until I find a flat.  (stay)
  13.  Turn the music down. The baby ______________ (sleep)
  14.  ______________ Rachel ______________ we’ve arrived?  (know)
  15.  I ______________ the dog for a walk soon. Do you want to come? (take)  



    Full List of Grammar Exercises


    Answers
    1. are you using
    2. tastes
    3. take; ‘m driving
    4. ‘s waiting
    5. prefer
    6. is coming
    7. do you do
    8. are you doing; ‘m trying
    9. are you cooking; smells
    10. doesn’t rain
    11. stays
    12. ‘m staying
    13. ‘s sleeping
    14. does…know
    15. ‘m taking
Speaking Skills

Speaking Skills – Conversation Questions: SECOND CONDITIONAL

(Photo FUTC, Unsplash)

SPEAKING PRACTICE

These EFL conversation questions are for both English teachers and students. They can be used in class, or with a study buddy, or with somebody you do a language exchange with.

Tips for learners

  • In those in-between times when you can’t find somebody to practise with I recommending trying to write down your answers, or even talking out loud to yourself!
  • Ensure you make notes of useful words and phrases that you either couldn’t remember or didn’t know when you were trying to explain something. This will really help you to move forward with your English.
  • I also highly recommend going through the questions a second or third time at a later date with somebody else, as a way of revision, and you are sure to notice that you are able to explain things faster and more effectively.
  • Where possible, expand on your answers, give more details.
  • If you’re asking the questions, remember to use follow-up questions too. If the conversation goes off on a tangent that’s totally fine – as long as you’re practising, you’re learning!  


Let’s practice the SECOND CONDITIONAL!

Answer these hypothetical questions AND give reasons for your answers.

The more effort you make, the stronger your English skills will be.

1. If you could sing a duet with anyone in the world, who would you choose?

2. If you had your own restaurant, what would you call it, what kind of food would you serve and what location would you choose?

3. If someone gave you a hundred dollars right now, how would you spend it?

4. If you could have the best seats at any sporting event, which event would you choose?

5. If someone gave you a magic pill and told you that by taking it you would become instantly fluent in a language, which language would you choose, and why?

6. If you could see any animal in the wild, which animal would you choose?

7. If you could travel back in time which period of history would you like to visit?

8. If you could go and live in any country for a year, which country would you choose?

9. If you could have dinner with three famous people from the present or the past, who would you choose and what would you ask them?

10. If you could be president of your country, what three changes would you make?

11. If you had a band, what kind of music would you play, and what would it be called?

12. If you were stranded on a deserted island for a month, who would you like to be with you?

13. If you had one day to show me your town or city, which places would we visit and where would we go for lunch?

14. If you could turn back time, which occasion in your past would you relive?

15. If you could design and build your dream house or apartment, what would it look like and where would you build it?

16. If it were possible and your safety were guaranteed, which trip would you make – a day in space, a day in Antartica or a day deep-sea diving in a submarine?

(Photo: Tavis Beck, Unsplash)


More Conversation Topics

Past Simple and Present Perfect

Books and Reading

Films and Cinema

FULL LIST of topics



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Key Word Transformation Exercise (2)

Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is very similar to the first, using the key word in bold.

Use between two and five words, including the key word. Contractions (I’m, can’t, etc, count as two words)

1. We discovered a lovely little coffee shop on our walk through the old town. ACROSS

We _______________  a lovely little coffee shop on our walk through the old town.

2. If it’s okay with you, I’d prefer to stay at home. MIND

If _______________ , I’d prefer to stay at home. 

3. They don’t have permission to use the car park. ALLOWED

They _______________ to use the car park.

4. We were so surprised when Paul appeared at the party. TURNED

We were so surprised when Paul _______________ at the party.

5. The lift isn’t working so we’ll take the stairs. ORDER

The lift is _______________ so we’ll take the stairs.

6. I’ll have finished my homework soon. LONG

It _______________ to finish my homework.

7. It’s possible I forgot to lock the door. MIGHT

I _______________ to lock the door.

8. Who does this scarf belong to? IS

_______________ scarf?

Answers

There are lots more free resources here on my website for learning or teaching English, so please have a look around! My content is aimed at a B1 / B2 level of English.

Full list of vocabulary exercises
Full list of grammar exercises