Intermediate Present Simple for future. 45 questions on schedule contexts, conditional time clauses, and contrast with will.
What this test covers
- Schedule vs Prediction Contrast
- After Time Conjunctions
- Choosing the Right Future Form
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1According to the official program, the international conference ___ at 9:00 AM sharp tomorrow morning.
Answer: B. starts
We use the Present Simple for future events that are part of a fixed, official schedule or timetable. The context clue 'official program' indicates this is a formal arrangement rather than a personal plan.
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Q2I think the new policy ___ a positive impact on the company’s revenue.
Answer: A. will have
Use 'will' for predictions based on personal opinions or beliefs. The phrase 'I think' is a common signal for this type of prediction. The Present Simple 'has' would incorrectly imply a current fact rather than a future possibility.
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Q3What time ___ the bus to London depart, according to the timetable?
Answer: A. does
For transport schedules and timetables, the Present Simple is the standard choice. We use the helper word 'does' to form a question with the main verb 'depart' in the simple present.
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Q4I believe that artificial intelligence ___ our lives completely in the next decade.
Answer: A. will change
Predictions about the future based on opinions use 'will.' Phrases like 'I believe' indicate that this is a forecast. 'Changes' (Present Simple) is only for fixed schedules, which does not apply to long-term societal changes.
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Q5The supermarket ___ at 10:00 PM every night, as stated in the store policy.
Answer: C. closes
The Present Simple 'closes' is used for events that follow a fixed, recurring schedule. The clue 'as stated in the store policy' confirms this is an official time that applies regularly.
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Q6Look at those dark clouds; it ___ rain later today.
Answer: C. is going to rain
Use 'be going to' for predictions when there is present evidence (the 'dark clouds') that something is about to happen. 'Will' is better for opinions, while 'rains' (Present Simple) is used for schedules or habits.
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Q7Our semester break ___ on the 15th of December, according to the academic calendar.
Answer: B. begins
Events on an official calendar, such as school terms or holidays, use the Present Simple. The 'academic calendar' serves as a fixed timetable, making 'begins' the most accurate choice.
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Q8I don't think they ___ the project on time without more staff.
Answer: B. will finish
We use 'will' for predictions about the future, especially following the phrase 'I don't think.' This expresses an opinion about a future outcome rather than a scheduled event.
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Q9The museum ___ at 6:00 PM, so we must arrive early.
Answer: B. closes
Opening and closing times for public institutions are fixed schedules. We use the Present Simple ('closes') to discuss these set times, even when referring to a specific instance in the future.
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Q10Scientists predict that the global temperature ___ significantly by 2050.
Answer: C. will rise
For scientific or general predictions about future trends, 'will' is the appropriate helper word. The Present Simple ('rises') would suggest a current habit or a fixed schedule, which doesn't fit a long-term forecast.
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Q11The final exam ___ at 2:00 PM in the main hall, according to the university timetable.
Answer: B. starts
Official events like exams use the Present Simple when they are part of a fixed timetable. The clue 'university timetable' confirms that the event is a scheduled point in time.
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Q12I'm sure you ___ a great time at the party tonight.
Answer: A. will have
Use 'will' for predictions about personal experiences, especially when using expressions like 'I'm sure.' The Present Simple 'have' would describe a current state or a general habit instead of a future event.
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Q13The train to Paris ___ from Platform 4 every hour.
Answer: C. departs
This sentence describes a regular, scheduled transport service. For recurring events on a timetable (marked by 'every hour'), the Present Simple ('departs') is the correct tense.
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Q14I have a feeling that this restaurant ___ very popular soon.
Answer: A. will become
When a prediction is based on a feeling or intuition rather than a fixed schedule, we use 'will.' 'Becomes' (Present Simple) would only be used for scheduled events, which popularity is not.
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Q15The theater production ___ for three weeks starting next Monday.
Answer: C. runs
The duration and schedule of organized public events (like plays or exhibitions) are often expressed using the Present Simple ('runs'). This emphasizes the fixed nature of the production's schedule.
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Q16I will call you as soon as I ___ at the hotel.
Answer: D. arrive
In time clauses introduced by 'as soon as', 'when', 'before', or 'after', we must use the Present Simple to refer to the future. Using 'will arrive' in this subordinate clause is a common grammatical error.
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Q17Please wait here until the manager ___ back from lunch.
Answer: B. comes
After the conjunction 'until' in a future-referring sentence, we use the Present Simple. The future context is already established in the main clause ('Please wait'), so 'comes' is required in the time clause.
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Q18Once the rain ___, we can continue our walk.
Answer: C. stops
The word 'once' functions as a time conjunction. In future-oriented time clauses starting with 'once', the Present Simple ('stops') is used instead of 'will'.
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Q19I'll finish this report before I ___ home tonight.
Answer: A. go
In clauses beginning with 'before,' we use the Present Simple to refer to future time. The main clause already uses 'I'll' (will) to indicate the future, so the subordinate clause uses 'go'.
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Q20By the time you ___ this email, I will be on vacation.
Answer: C. read
The phrase 'By the time' introduces a time clause. Like 'when' or 'until,' these clauses require the Present Simple ('read') to refer to a future event.
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Q21Identify the correct sentence:
Answer: A. I will leave when the sun sets.
When using 'when' to refer to a future event, the verb in that clause must be in the Present Simple ('sets'). We do not use 'will' in the 'when' clause.
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Q22Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. I won't start the meeting until everyone is here.
The conjunction 'until' introduces a time clause. In such clauses referring to the future, we use the Present Simple ('is') rather than 'will be'.
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Q23Tomorrow, she ___ her homework after she gets home from school.
Answer: A. will do
The marker 'Tomorrow' signals a one-off event in the future, while the time clause 'after she gets home' stays in the Present Simple, since English future time clauses never use 'will.' The main clause therefore needs 'will' + base verb for that single future action, making 'will do' correct. 'Does' would describe a daily habit rather than a specific plan for tomorrow, 'is doing' would need a fixed arrangement with someone else to work here, and 'is going to doing' is ungrammatical because 'going to' must be followed by a base verb, not a -ing word.
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Q24Don't worry, we won't leave until you ___ ready.
Answer: C. are
After 'until' in a future context, the Present Simple is required. 'Are' is the present form of 'to be' that correctly completes the time clause.
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Q25Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. When I see him, I'll tell him.
This demonstrates the standard structure for a future time clause: 'When' + Present Simple, followed by 'will' in the main clause. We never use 'will' in the 'when' part of the sentence.
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Q26You can have the car once I ___ it repaired.
Answer: C. get
The conjunction 'once' introduces a future time clause. Grammar rules dictate the use of the Present Simple ('get') in these clauses, even though the action will happen in the future.
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Q27I'll let you know as soon as I ___ the results.
Answer: D. hear
After 'as soon as,' use the Present Simple to refer to the future. This structure links a future condition to a future action. 'Will hear' is incorrect in this subordinate clause.
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Q28Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. I will buy groceries after I finish work.
This is a future time clause. Use 'will' in the main clause and the Present Simple ('finish') after 'after.' Avoid using 'will' or the continuous form 'am finishing' inside the time clause.
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Q29Before you ___ to the conclusion, please read the report.
Answer: A. jump
In time clauses starting with 'before,' we use the Present Simple ('jump') to describe a future action. The use of 'will' or the continuous form inside this clause is grammatically incorrect.
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Q30I will wait by the entrance until the movie ___.
Answer: D. ends
After 'until,' we use the Present Simple ('ends') to indicate a future point in time. The future intention is already established by 'I will wait' in the main clause.
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Q31The flight to London ___ at 8:00 AM next Tuesday, according to the airline schedule.
Answer: C. departs
For transportation schedules that are fixed and official (like an 'airline schedule'), we use the Present Simple ('departs'). Flights 'depart' or 'leave' rather than 'start', and the Present Simple is the standard way to express timetables.
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Q32The train ___ at 8:00 AM sharp, according to the daily timetable.
Answer: A. leaves
The Present Simple ('leaves') is used for fixed events on a schedule or timetable. Words like 'daily timetable' and '8:00 AM sharp' are clear signals for this tense.
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Q33I'm thirsty. I ___ a glass of water.
Answer: B. will get
Use 'will' for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking. Since the speaker has just realized they are thirsty, 'will get' is the correct choice. 'Am going to' is used for prior plans.
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Q34The new semester ___ on the first of September, as per the academic calendar.
Answer: D. begins
Academic dates are part of a fixed, public schedule. We use the Present Simple ('begins') for these future events, as indicated by 'as per the academic calendar'.
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Q35The concert ___ at 8 PM, according to the ticket.
Answer: B. starts
Public events with a fixed start time, such as concerts or shows, use the Present Simple. The 'ticket' provides the official schedule, making 'starts' the most appropriate choice.
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Q36The bus to the airport ___ at 5:00 PM today, as shown on the schedule.
Answer: D. departs
Schedules for buses, trains, and planes use the Present Simple ('departs') to refer to the future. This form emphasizes that the departure is a fixed, scheduled event.
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Q37I think it ___ a very successful event.
Answer: D. will be
Use 'will' for predictions based on an opinion. The phrase 'I think' shows that this is the speaker's personal belief about the future.
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Q38Our flight ___ at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning, according to the itinerary.
Answer: C. departs
Fixed travel plans found on an itinerary or timetable use the Present Simple. 'Departs' correctly describes this scheduled future event.
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Q39Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. I am seeing the doctor tomorrow because I have a cold.
We use the Present Simple ('have') to describe a current state or illness. Using 'will have' would suggest a prediction of a future cold, which doesn't fit the context of already seeing a doctor.
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Q40Look at the sky! It ___ rain any minute.
Answer: C. is going to
When there is present evidence for a future event (like looking at the sky), we use 'is going to'. 'Rains' is only used for repeating schedules or habits.
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Q41The library ___ at 9:00 AM every weekday, as posted on the door.
Answer: D. opens
Fixed opening hours for a building are a form of schedule. The Present Simple ('opens') is used for these recurring or fixed times.
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Q42I've decided. I ___ study medicine next year.
Answer: D. am going to
We use 'be going to' for intentions or plans decided before the moment of speaking. 'I've decided' is the context clue that makes 'am going to' the correct choice.
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Q43Unless you ___ me the truth, I won't help you.
Answer: D. tell
After the conjunction 'unless,' we use the Present Simple ('tell') to refer to future conditions. Using 'will' in an 'unless' clause is a common mistake.
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Q44The meeting ___ at 10:00 AM tomorrow in the conference room, according to the agenda.
Answer: A. is
Official meetings that follow a fixed 'agenda' or timetable are often expressed with the Present Simple ('is'). This treats the event as a fixed, scheduled point in time.
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Q45I hope the weather ___ nice for our trip.
Answer: A. will be
Use 'will' for future predictions and hopes, especially after the verb 'hope.' This expresses a desire for a future state that is not yet certain.
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