Work in pairs. Which verb can you use for a) and b)? Put each verb into the present simple or present continuous. 1. a) Don't switch off the TV! I'm watching it.
b) I love that programme! l watch it every week.
2. a) Can you call me back later? I ... my homework.
b) I try to keep fit. I ... yoga and aerobics every day.
3. a) I love tennis, but I ... badly.
b) Sorry, I can't hear you because Matthew ... the piano.
4. a) I ... about twenty text messages a day, usually to friends.
b) She ... a book. It will be published next year.
5. a) Daddy can't come home now. He ... late at the office.
b) Usually he ... from 9a.m. to 5p.m. from Monday to Friday.
6. a) I like to spend time with friends. That's what ... me happy.
b) I ... some coffee. Do you want some?
7. a) She loves the school. She ... a lot of friends there.
b) Jill ... some problems with her phone. Can you check it?
8. a) He only met his real father last month. They ... to know each other now.
b) In the UK, about 50 percent of married couples ... divorced.
9. a) She always ... a book to her son before he goes to sleep.
b) I ... his new book at the moment. It's really good.
10. a) Hi Tim! I'm in town for a week. I ... an old friend.
b) When we go to London, we usually ... the National Gallery.​

1. a) is watching, b) watches - In a) the person is currently watching the TV, so we use the present continuous tense "is watching." In b) the person loves a particular TV program and watches it every week, indicating a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "watches."
2. a) am doing, b) do - In a) the person is currently busy with something and asks to be called back later, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "am doing." In b) the person tries to keep fit by practicing yoga and aerobics every day, indicating a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "do."
3. a) play, b) is playing - In a) the person loves tennis but doesn't play it well, indicating a habitual action or a general truth, so we use the present simple tense "play." In b) the person can't hear because Matthew is currently playing the piano, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "is playing."
4. a) send, b) is writing - In a) the person sends about twenty text messages a day, usually to friends, indicating a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "send." In b) the person is currently in the process of writing a book, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "is writing."
5. a) is working, b) works - In a) Daddy can't come home now because he is currently working late at the office, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "is working." In b) usually he works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Monday to Friday, indicating a routine or schedule, so we use the present simple tense "works."
6. a) makes, b) am having - In a) spending time with friends is what makes the person happy, indicating a general truth or a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "makes." In b) the person is currently having some coffee and offers some to the listener, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "am having."
7. a) has, b) has - In a) she loves the school and has a lot of friends there, indicating a general truth or a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "has." In b) Jill is currently having some problems with her phone and asks someone to check it, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "has."
8. a) are getting, b) get - In a) he only met his real father last month, indicating a recent action, and now they are in the process of getting to know each other, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "are getting." In b) in the UK, about 50 percent of married couples get divorced, indicating a general truth or a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "get."
9. a) reads, b) am reading - In a) she always reads a book to her son before he goes to sleep, indicating a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "reads." In b) the person is currently reading his new book and states that it is really good, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "am reading."
10. a) am meeting, b) visit - In a) the person is currently in town for a week and is planning to meet an old friend, indicating an ongoing action, so we use the present continuous tense "am meeting." In b) when the person goes to London, they usually visit the National Gallery, indicating a habitual action, so we use the present simple tense "visit."