ESL Practice Questions – Present Progressive Tense – Arctic Balloon Expedition – Part 3

Videos for Part 1 and Part 2 told how Andrée, Frænkel and Strindberg left Sweden on a balloon in 1897. They lost control of their balloon’s direction and landed on the Arctic ice. They had little idea of their location, but packed some of their equipment and food and headed across the ice to where they had stored some supplies.

The Present Progressive Tense

The present progressive tenses show that something is happening at a specific time.
To form this tense use the present tense of the verb “to be” (am – is – are) plus the present participle. For the present progressive add  “ing” to the root of the infinitive.

EXAMPLE:
to land = landing

1:

a. In 1897 the three explorers are leaving their balloon on the ice.
b. In 1897 the three explorers leave their balloon on the ice.
c. In 1897 the three explorers left their balloon on the ice.

2:  

a. They use their little boat on the open water.
b. They will use their little boat on the open water.
c. They are using their little boat on the open water.

3:

a. The wind has moved them away from Seven Islands.
b. The wind is moving them away from Seven Islands.
c. The wind moved them away from Seven Islands.

4:

a. They camp on a large ice floe for the duration of winter.
b. They will camp on a large ice floe for the duration of winter.
c. They are camping on a large ice floe for the duration of winter.

5:

a. The weather is getting much colder as the winter progresses.
b. The weather gets much colder as the winter progresses.
c. The weather got much colder as the winter progressed.

Then check your answers.

Andrée, Frænkel and Strindberg (to head) ______________ across the Arctic ice. They (to expect) _________________ to reach Seven Islands where they will find their supplies. The
large smooth ice floes (to make) _________________ their progress easier. As they travel they (to drink) __________________ good water from pools on the floe. Later they rejoice  as they skin a polar bear that they have been able to shoot.

Now they (to move) ________________ at a good speed towards Seven Islands, when suddenly, the wind changes and moves them in another direction. Consequently, because the weather (to get) ________________ colder and as they (to drift) ________________ in the wrong direction, they need to change their plans. As they (to progress) ________________ towards Kvitoya they decide to build a snow shelter for the winter. They will need a lot of space so they (to design) _________________ a snow house with three rooms. In spite of the cold weather the three explorers (to hope) ________________ that they will survive the winter.