Present Simple and progressive Quiz | Grammar Tense MCQ [SET: 12]

Test your English grammar knowledge with these multiple choice quizzes on tenses (Present Simple and Present Continuous) for grades 8, 9 and 10. Additionally, these grammar quiz questions and answers are catered carefully making it compatible for any competitive exams. 

Take these online grammar assessment tests for free to review present simple and present continuous tense.

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Tense Grammar Quiz Questions

The following grammar quiz questions and answers are designed to help grammar learners of all levels. This quiz set will test your knowledge on present simple vs present progressive tense.




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Present Simple and Present Progressive Quiz




 

Present Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense Quiz for grade 10

The following grammar assessment test has been designed for class 10 English grammar students to test their understanding of present simple tense and present continuous tense. With grammar questions and answers, you can measure your understanding of English grammar. So, let’s begin the test.

They normally _____ a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they are having one. (have)
have
are having
had
has
✅ This sentence expresses a long-standing, HABITUAL PREFERENCE or PRACTICE. So, choose the tense accordingly.
Why _____ my coat? – I'm sorry. – It _____ just like mine. (you wear, look)
are you wearing, looks
are you wearing, look
do you wear, looked
Were you wearing, is looking
✅ The first sentence expresses the CURRENT ACTION of wearing the coat. The second sentence expresses GENERAL APPEARANCE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.
_____the men in black suits over there? – They _____at us in a strange way. (you see, look)
do you see, are looking
did you see, were looking
have you seen, have been looking
will you see, looked
✅ The first sentence expresses a PRESENT ABILITY to observe the men. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. The second sentence describes a PRESENT ONGOING ACTION. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.
They normally _____ a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they _____ one. (have)
Have
are having
had
has
✅ This sentence expresses a long-standing, HABITUAL PREFERENCE or PRACTICE. So, choose the tense accordingly.
Why _____ my coat? – I'm sorry. – It _____ just like mine. (you wear, look)
Are you wearing, looks
are you wearing, look
do you wear, looked
were you wearing, is looking
✅ The first sentence expresses the CURRENT ACTION of wearing the coat. The second sentence expresses GENERAL APPEARANCE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.
_____the men in black suits over there? – They _____at us in a strange way. (you see, look)
do you see, are looking
did you see, were looking
have you seen, have been looking
will you see, looked
✅ The first sentence expresses a PRESENT ABILITY to observe the men. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. The second sentence describes a PRESENT ONGOING ACTION. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.
The food _____ chemicals that make it last longer. (contain)
contains
contain
is containing
contained
✅ The sentence expresses a GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC of the food. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.
It _____ the moon about 28 days to travel around the earth. (take)
takes
take
Is taking
took
✅ The sentence expresses the idea that is ALWAYS TRUE and never changes. This is a FACT that is TRUE ALL THE TIME and thus it is UNIVERSAL TRUTH. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.
Everything in this box _____ to my grandfather. He _____ it to me instead of my brother. (belong, give)
belongs, is giving
belong, is giving
belonged, was giving
Is belonging, gave
✅ The first sentence expresses a GENERAL FACT about everything in the box. The second sentence describes an ONGOING ACTION HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.
Mary _____ through a very difficult period at university this year. (go)
is going
goes
went
will go
✅ Notice the use of THIS YEAR in the sentence. This sentence describes a TEMPORARY and ONGOING situation. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.

Present Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense Quiz for grade 9

These tenses quiz fill in the blanks and multiple choice questions will test class 9 students on present continuous and  present simple tense. Let’s get started.

Dad _____ everything about airplanes. He always _____ books about aviation. (know, read)
Knows, reads
know, read
knew, is reading
will know, was reading
✅ The first sentence expresses ABILITY or GENERAL KNOWLEDGE about airplanes. In the second sentence, notice the use of ALWAYS. It expresses REGULAR HABIT indicating these as RECURRING FACTS or ROUTINES. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used in both sentences i.e. V1/V5.
I used to play football in school but now I _____ rugby. (prefer)
prefer
prefers
preferred
Will prefer
✅ The sentence expresses a CURRENT PREFERENCE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.
What _____ for a living? – Well, he's a lawyer but he quit his old job and at the moment he _____ for a new one. (your dad do, look)
does your dad do, is looking
is your father doing, looks
do your father do, looked
did, was
✅ The first sentence expresses the CURRENT PROFESSION. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. Notice the use AT THE MOMENT in the second sentence. The second sentence describes CURRENT ACTION of searching for a new job. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.
You _____ shopping every Saturday. – Why do you do that? (go)
go
goes
are going
went
✅ Notice the use of EVERY SATURDAY. The sentence describes a RECURRING and HABITUAL ACTIVITY (going shopping EVERY SATURDAY). It indicates a REGULAR ROUTINE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.
The two department managers _____ lunch at the moment. We shouldn't disturb them. (have)
are having
have
had
will have
✅ Notice the use of AT THE MOMENT in the sentence. The sentence indicates that the action of having lunch is HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. It emphasizes the CURRENT ONGOING SITUATION. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4

Present Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense Quiz for grade 8

This English grammar test covers the basics of tenses that 8th graders should know. It includes fill in the blank, multiple choice questions with answers to assess knowledge of tenses particularly of  present simple tense and present continuous tense.

Teachers _____ us homework every day, but this weekend they _____ us any because of the mid-term break. (give, not give)
Give, aren't giving
gives, aren’t giving
are giving, don’t give
gave, didn’t give
✅ Notice the use of EVERY DAY in the first sentence. The sentence expresses the REGULAR ACTION. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. The second sentence indicates a SPECIFIC DEVIATION from the routine due to the CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4
They normally have a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they _____ one. (have, not have)
aren't having
don’t have
didn’t have
doesn’t have
✅ Notice the use of TODAY in the sentence. This sentence indicates a SPECIFIC DEVIATION from the regular routine due to the CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE. So, this is a TEMPORARY ACTION. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4
The air _____ strange. There must be something going on in the factory. (smellL)
smells
smell
smelt
Is smelling
✅ The sentence describes a PRESENT STATE or condition of the air. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5
I can't listen to what you _____ to tell me because I'm so nervous at the moment. (try)
are trying
try
tried
will try
✅ The sentence describes the CURRENT and ONGOING effort of the person to communicate. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4

When to use Present Simple Tense (Image Illustration) 

Present simple tense is used to show:

👉 present affairs

👉 habitual actions

👉 fixed time table

👉 truths and facts


when to use Present Simple Tense

When to use Present Continuous Tense (Image Illustration) 

Present continuous tense is used to show:

👉 activities happening now

👉 present moment

👉 future plans

👉 gradual change


when to use Present continuous tense

Tense Question, Answer and Explanation

You can download the following present simple and present continuous tense question, answer and explanation.

Question: They normally _____ a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they _____ one. (have)

Answer: They normally have a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they are having one. 

Explanation: Notice the use of NORMALLY in the sentence. This sentence expresses a long-standing, HABITUAL PREFERENCE or PRACTICE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5


Question: Why _____ my coat? – I'm sorry. – It _____ just like mine. (you wear, look)

Answer: Why are you wearing my coat? – I'm sorry. – It _____ just like mine.

Explanation: The first sentence expresses the CURRENT ACTION of wearing the coat. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4. The second sentence expresses GENERAL APPEARANCE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.


Question: _____the men in black suits over there? – They _____at us in a strange way. (you see, look)

Answer: Do you see the men in black suits over there? – They are looking at us in a strange way.

Explanation: The first sentence expresses a PRESENT ABILITY to observe the men. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. The second sentence describes a PRESENT ONGOING ACTION. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.


Question: The food _____ chemicals that make it last longer. (contain)

Answer: The food contains chemicals that make it last longer.

Explanation: The sentence expresses a GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC of the food. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.


Question: It _____ the moon about 28 days to travel around the earth. (take)

Answer: It takes the moon about 28 days to travel around the earth. 

Explanation: The sentence expresses the idea that is ALWAYS TRUE and never changes. This is a FACT that is TRUE ALL THE TIME and thus it is UNIVERSAL TRUTH. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.


Question: Everything in this box _____ to my grandfather. He _____ it to me instead of my brother. (belong, give)

Answer: Everything in this box belongs to my grandfather. He _____ it to me instead of my brother.

Explanation: The first sentence expresses a GENERAL FACT about everything in the box. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. The second sentence describes an ONGOING ACTION HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.


Question: Mary _____ through a very difficult period at university this year. (go)

Answer: Mary is going through a very difficult period at university this year.

Explanation: Notice the use of THIS YEAR in the sentence. This sentence describes a TEMPORARY and ONGOING situation. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.


Question: Dad _____ everything about airplanes. He always _____ books about aviation. (know, read)

Answer: Dad knows everything about airplanes. He always reads books about aviation.

Explanation: The first sentence expresses ABILITY or GENERAL KNOWLEDGE about airplanes. In the second sentence, notice the use of ALWAYS. It expresses REGULAR HABIT indicating these as RECURRING FACTS or ROUTINES. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used in both sentences i.e. V1/V5.


Question: I used to play football in school but now I _____ rugby. (prefer)

Answer: I used to play football in school but now I prefer rugby.

Explanation: The sentence expresses a CURRENT PREFERENCE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.


Question: What _____ for a living? – Well, he's a lawyer but he quit his old job and at the moment he _____ for a new one. (your dad do, look)

Answer: What does your dad do for a living? – Well, he's a lawyer but he quit his old job and at the moment he is looking for a new one. 

Explanation: The first sentence expresses the CURRENT PROFESSION. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. Notice the use AT THE MOMENT in the second sentence. The second sentence describes CURRENT ACTION of searching for a new job. So, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.


Question: You _____ shopping every Saturday. – Why do you do that? (go)

Answer: You go shopping every Saturday. – Why do you do that?

Explanation: Notice the use of EVERY SATURDAY. The sentence describes a RECURRING and HABITUAL ACTIVITY (going shopping EVERY SATURDAY). It indicates a REGULAR ROUTINE. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.


Question: The two department managers _____  lunch at the moment. We shouldn't disturb them. (have)

Answer: The two department managers are having lunch at the moment. We shouldn't disturb them. 

Explanation: Notice the use of AT THE MOMENT in the sentence. The sentence indicates that the action of having lunch is HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. It emphasizes the CURRENT ONGOING SITUATION. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4


Question: Teachers _____ us homework every day, but this weekend they _____ us any because of the mid-term break. (give, not give)

Answer: Teachers give us homework every day, but this weekend they aren't giving us any because of the mid-term break.

Explanation: Notice the use of EVERY DAY in the first sentence. The sentence expresses the REGULAR ACTION. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5. The second sentence indicates a SPECIFIC DEVIATION from the routine due to the CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4


Question: They normally have a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they _____ one. (have, not have)

Answer: They normally have a coffee break at ten, but today there's a lot of work to do so they aren't having one. 

Explanation: Notice the use of TODAY in the sentence. This sentence indicates a SPECIFIC DEVIATION from the regular routine due to the CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE. So, this is a TEMPORARY ACTION. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4


Question: The air _____ strange. There must be something going on in the factory. (smell)

Answer: The air smells strange. There must be something going on in the factory.

Explanation: The sentence describes a PRESENT STATE or condition of the air. So, PRESENT SIMPLE tense is used i.e. V1/V5.


Question: I can't listen to what you _____ to tell me because I'm so nervous at the moment. (try)

Answer: I can't listen to what you are trying to tell me because I'm so nervous at the moment. 

Explanation: The sentence describes the CURRENT and ONGOING effort of the person to communicate. Thus, PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used i.e. is/am/are+V4.


Tense Question, Answer and Explanation (PDF)

If you want to get the pdf version of tense question, answer and explanation, you can get it here.

Faq (Present simple and present progressive)

What is the difference between present continuous and present simple?

Present continuous is usually used to show temporary action where as present simple is used to show permanent action.


What is the present simple and present continuous sentence?

''She works at the office'' is a simple sentence and ''she is working on a project right now'' is a present continuous sentence.


When to use present continuous?

Present continuous tense is basically used to show things that are happening now, future plans and arrangements, and gradual change


When to use present simple?

Present simple tense is basically used to show present affairs, permanent or long-lasting situations, and habitual actions.


Great! Did you enjoy the grammar quiz?  Our Tense Grammar Quizzes cater to various grade levels, providing an enriching experience for learners of all ages. 

Learn English grammar with confidence, and let our quizzes guide you towards proficiency. Enhance your grammar skills effortlessly with our user-friendly, free online grammar tests. Happy learning!

What is the present simple tense?
We use the simple present tense to show the fact which is universal and/or regular action.
What is the present simple tense for kids?
Simple present tense describes a constant or repeating action that is always true. For example, the sun rises from the east.
What is present tense simple formula?
The Simple Present Tense formula is: Subject + V1/V5 + Object.
What are the examples of simple present tense?
I eat breakfast every morning. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. She works at the library. The sun rises from the east.
What is present simple tense?
We use the simple present tense to show the fact which is universal and/or regular action.
What is the present continuous tense and example?
Present continuous tense denotes actions/events that are in progress while we speak about them. These actions are to be completed in the future.
Example: I am currently studying for my exams.
What is the structure of present continuous tense?
The structure of present continuous tense is: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + objects/complements.
What are the present continuous tense rules?
The present continuous tense, also known as the present progressive tense, is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb "to be" (am/are/is) and adding the present participle (base verb + -ing) of the main verb.
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