Intermediate Simple Present. 45 questions on stative vs dynamic verbs, scheduled events, and tense choice.
What this test covers
- Stative vs Dynamic Verbs
- Scheduled Future Events
- Simple Present vs Present Continuous
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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Q1I ___ the answer to your question, but I cannot explain it right now.
Answer: B. know
"Know" is a state/feeling verb, which means it describes a state of mind rather than a physical action. state-describing verbs are rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form, even when referring to the present moment. Therefore, "am knowing" is incorrect. "Know" is the correct simple present form for the subject "I."
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Q2This box ___ all the documents we need for the meeting.
Answer: B. contains
"Contain" is a state/feeling verb that describes a state of composition. We use the simple present because the box holding documents is a factual state. Since "This box" is a third-person singular subject, we must use "contains" with an "-s." "Is containing" is incorrect because state-describing verbs do not usually take the continuous form.
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Q3I ___ you are making a mistake by selling your car.
Answer: A. think
When "think" is used to express an opinion or belief, it functions as a state/feeling verb and stays in the simple present. The context of an opinion here makes "think" the correct choice. "Am thinking" would only be used for the active mental process of consideration (e.g., "I am thinking about my future").
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Q4Look at the chef! He ___ the soup to see if it needs more salt.
Answer: D. is tasting
While "taste" can be a state/feeling verb (e.g., "The soup tastes good"), it is a dynamic verb here because it describes a deliberate physical action. The context clue "Look at the chef!" signals that the action is happening right now, requiring the present continuous form "is tasting."
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Q5Why ___ at me like that? Did I say something wrong?
Answer: B. are you looking
The verb "look" is dynamic when it refers to the physical action of directing one's eyes. The phrase "at me like that" suggests a specific action happening at this moment. Therefore, the present continuous question form "are you looking" is required. "You look" would imply a general habit.
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Q6I ___ a very strange dream last night, so I am tired today.
Answer: B. had
The time marker "last night" is a clear context clue that the event is finished and in the past. Therefore, we must use the simple past "had." Even though "have" can be used in the simple present for states, it cannot be used to describe an event that occurred yesterday.
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Q7She ___ a new laptop for her birthday next month, so she is very excited.
Answer: D. wants
"Want" is a state/feeling verb expressing a desire or mental state. state-describing verbs are almost never used in the continuous form, so "is wanting" is incorrect. For the third-person singular subject "She," we use the simple present form "wants."
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Q8This jacket ___ to me, so please give it back.
Answer: A. belongs
"Belong" is a state/feeling verb indicating ownership. It describes a permanent state rather than an action, so it cannot be used in the continuous form "is belonging." For a third-person singular subject like "This jacket," we use the simple present form "belongs."
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Q9Choose the correct sentence regarding a specific moment:
Answer: A. I understand the lesson now.
"Understand" is a state/feeling verb representing a mental state. Even with the word "now," which often signals the present continuous, state-describing verbs remain in the simple present. Forms like "am understanding" are grammatically incorrect in standard English.
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Q10Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. He has a big house in the city.
When "have" indicates possession or ownership, it is a state/feeling verb and must be used in the simple present. "Is having" is only used for actions or experiences (like "having lunch" or "having fun"), not for owning property.
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Q11Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. I see what you mean.
The verb "see" is state-describing when it means "to understand." Similarly, "mean" is a state/feeling verb. Both should be in the simple present. "Am seeing" is generally only used for meetings or dating, and "are meaning" is not used in standard English.
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Q12Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. This cake smells good.
"Smell" is a state/feeling verb of perception when it describes a quality. These verbs are followed by adjectives ("good") rather than adverbs ("well"). Because it describes a state, we use the simple present "smells" instead of the continuous "is smelling."
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Q13Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. She seems very upset about the news today.
"Seem" is a state/feeling verb used to describe an appearance or state. It cannot be used in the continuous form ("is seeming"). The simple present requires an "-s" for the third-person singular subject "She," making "seems" the correct choice.
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Q14Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. I need your help with this project immediately.
"Need" is a state/feeling verb expressing a requirement. Even with the word "immediately," we do not use the continuous form "am needing." Note that "help" is an uncountable noun here, so "helps" is incorrect.
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Q15Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. The bag weighs five kilograms.
The verb "weigh" is state-describing when describing the measured weight of an object. Therefore, the simple present "weighs" is correct. "Is weighing" would imply a dynamic action, such as a person actively placing the bag on a scale to check it.
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Q16The flight ___ at 8:30 AM tomorrow morning.
Answer: A. leaves
We use the simple present to talk about future events that are part of a fixed timetable or schedule, such as flights, trains, or bus schedules. "Leaves" is the correct third-person singular form for "The flight."
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Q17Our conference ___ next Monday in the main hall.
Answer: D. starts
This sentence describes a scheduled event. In English, the simple present ("starts") is the standard way to express fixed calendar events, even with future time markers like "next Monday." "Will starts" is grammatically incorrect because "will" must be followed by the base form of the verb.
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Q18The museum ___ at 6:00 PM every day.
Answer: C. closes
The phrase "every day" indicates a regular routine or a fixed schedule. We use the simple present to describe these types of recurring facts. "Closes" correctly matches the third-person singular subject "The museum."
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Q19What time ___ the bus usually arrive?
Answer: A. does
To form a question in the simple present for a third-person singular subject ('the bus'), we use the helping verb 'does.' The word 'usually' signals a habitual or recurring schedule. 'Did' is the past tense helping verb and is wrong for asking about a current or recurring schedule.
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Q20My favorite show ___ on television tonight at 9:00 PM.
Answer: A. starts
Television programs follow a fixed schedule. When talking about scheduled future events, the simple present ("starts") is preferred. "Will starts" is incorrect because the helping verb "will" cannot be followed by an "-s" form.
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Q21The train to London ___ from Platform 4 in ten minutes.
Answer: B. departs
Public transportation schedules (trains, planes, buses) use the simple present tense, even for departures in the near future like "in ten minutes." "Departs" is the correct form for the singular subject "The train."
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Q22The semester ___ on September 1st.
Answer: B. begins
An academic calendar is considered a fixed schedule. We use the simple present ("begins") for these types of future dates. "Will begins" is a common error; "will" must always be followed by the base form "begin."
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Q23The store ___ at noon on Saturdays.
Answer: B. opens
Business hours are regular routines and fixed schedules. We use the simple present ("opens") to describe these recurring facts. "Will opens" is grammatically incorrect because "will" cannot be followed by a verb ending in "-s."
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Q24Choose the sentence that uses the Simple Present for a scheduled event:
Answer: A. The plane lands at 5 PM.
The simple present ("lands") is the correct tense for fixed public schedules like flight arrivals. "The plane land" is missing the third-person singular "-s," and "is land" is not a valid English verb structure.
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Q25Choose the sentence that uses the Simple Present for a scheduled event:
Answer: A. The meeting is at 10 AM tomorrow.
The verb "to be" in the simple present ("is") is frequently used for scheduled appointments and meetings. Phrases like "will is" or "is be" are grammatically incorrect verb forms.
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Q26Choose the sentence that uses the Simple Present for a scheduled event:
Answer: A. Does the train arrive at noon?
To ask a question about a fixed timetable in the simple present, use the helping verb "Does" followed by the subject and the base form of the verb ("arrive"). "Is the train arrive" and "Will the train be arrive" are incorrect structures.
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Q27Choose the sentence that uses the Simple Present for a scheduled event:
Answer: C. The concert starts in an hour.
Scheduled performances like concerts use the simple present even if they occur in the future. "Starts" is the correct third-person singular form. "Is start" and "will be start" are not grammatically correct.
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Q28Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. The movie starts at 7 PM tonight.
Even though "tonight" refers to the future, movie times are part of a fixed schedule. In English, we use the simple present ("starts") for these events. "Is start" and "will starting" are incorrect verb formations.
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Q29Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. My sister's flight arrives tomorrow at 6 AM.
Flights follow fixed timetables, which are expressed with the simple present. "Arrives" is the correct singular form. "My sister's flight arrive" is missing the necessary "-s," and "is arrive" is grammatically incorrect.
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Q30Choose the correct version: The shop opening at 9 AM every morning.
Answer: D. The shop opens at 9 AM every morning.
The phrase "every morning" signals a routine or fixed schedule. The correct tense for routines is the simple present. "Opening" is a -ing verb and cannot act as the main verb without an helping verb. "Opens" is the correct third-person singular form.
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Q31I ___ to the gym every Tuesday.
Answer: B. go
The phrase "every Tuesday" indicates a habit or a recurring routine. We use the simple present for habits. "Go" is the correct base form for the first-person subject "I."
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Q32Shh! The baby ___ right now, so please be quiet.
Answer: C. is sleeping
The context clues "Shh!" and "right now" indicate that the action is happening at the exact moment of speaking. For actions in progress now, we use the present continuous ("is sleeping") rather than the simple present.
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Q33He ___ his coffee black every morning.
Answer: B. drinks
"Every morning" signals a daily habit. We use the simple present for routines. For the third-person singular subject "He," we must add "-s" to the verb, resulting in "drinks."
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Q34They ___ for a new apartment at the moment.
Answer: A. are looking
The time expression "at the moment" signals a temporary action happening around the present time. We use the present continuous ("are looking") for these situations. The simple present "look" would imply a permanent state or habit.
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Q35The sun ___ in the east.
Answer: A. rises
This is a universal truth or a scientific fact. We use the simple present for things that are always true. "Rises" is the correct third-person singular form for the subject "The sun."
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Q36Why ___ you ___ a coat? It's freezing outside!
Answer: D. are / wearing
The context "It's freezing outside!" implies the person is wearing the coat at this very moment. We use the present continuous ("are you wearing") for actions currently in progress. "Do you wear" would ask about a general habit rather than the current situation.
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Q37Water ___ at 100 degrees Celsius.
Answer: B. boils
This is a scientific fact. General truths and scientific laws are always expressed in the simple present. "Boils" is the third-person singular form required for the uncountable subject "Water."
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Q38I ___ to music while I work.
Answer: A. listen
This sentence describes a general habit or a regular accompaniment to work. The simple present "listen" is used for habits. "Am listen" is not a valid grammatical structure.
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Q39Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. She usually drinks tea.
The frequency adverb "usually" signals a habit. Habits are expressed in the simple present. In English, frequency adverbs like "usually" typically go before the main verb, so "usually drinks" is the correct structure.
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Q40Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. I am working on a new project this week.
The time marker "this week" indicates a temporary situation. We use the present continuous ("am working") for actions that are happening around now but are not permanent. "I works" is a subject-verb agreement error.
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Q41Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. My brother lives in Paris.
A person's place of residence is usually considered a permanent or long-term state. We use the simple present ("lives") for permanent states. "Is live" is grammatically incorrect, and "is living" is typically used only for very short-term, temporary stays.
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Q42Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. Are you waiting for someone?
This question asks about an action happening at the moment of speaking. For current actions, we use the present continuous question form "Are you waiting." "Do you wait" would incorrectly suggest a general habit.
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Q43Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. I eat lunch at 12 PM every day.
The phrase "every day" indicates a habit or routine. Habits are expressed using the simple present ("eat"). "I eating" lacks an helping verb, and "am eat" is not a valid English verb form.
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Q44Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. Look, it is raining outside right now!
The word "Look!" and the phrase "right now" are context clues that the action is happening at the moment of speaking. We use the present continuous ("is raining") for current actions. The simple present "rains" is used for general climate facts.
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Q45Choose the correct version: My father is work as a doctor currently.
Answer: B. My father works as a doctor.
A person's profession is considered a permanent state. We use the simple present ("works") for occupations. "Is work" is grammatically incorrect; even "is working" would imply the job is only temporary.
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