ESL Practice Questions – Present Progressive Tense – Arctic Balloon Expedition – Part 3
Students around the world are under pressure to learn English. Most of them are attempting this as they work at a full or part time job. Others are studying subjects unrelated to English at high school, college or university. Thousands are worried and stressed about their marks and their financial situation. The type of English second language program that they are following could reduce their stress if it contains interesting content and offers activities that make them laugh. This article provides practice grammar questions that are based on an amazing true story.
Part 1 – Past Tense
Part 2 – Present Tense
Click below to view the video.
Our practice questions refer to Andrée’s Arctic Balloon Expedition. 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
Choose the sentence that uses the present progressive tense.
Practice questions answers
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.
Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous tense.
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.
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Modified: May 21st, 2018
Published: August 31st, 2016