How to Use Present Continuous Tense in IELTS (Exercises)

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Mastering Present Continuous Tense with Exercises

Objective

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:
✅ Understand how to form and use the Present Continuous tense correctly.
✅ Recognize its real-world use in IELTS Speaking and Writing.
✅ Use it fluently to talk about actions happening now, current trends, and temporary situations.
✅ Practice through IELTS-based drills, fill-ins, transformations, and speaking mini-tasks.

🧭 1. What Is the Present Continuous Tense?

The Present Continuous Tense (also called the Present Progressive) describes actions that are happening right now, around this moment, or temporary situations that may change.

It’s also used to talk about future arrangements — a key point for IELTS Speaking!

🧩 2. Structure of Present Continuous

Sentence TypeStructureExample
AffirmativeSubject + am/is/are + Verb(+ing) + ObjectShe is studying English.
NegativeSubject + am/is/are + not + Verb(+ing) + ObjectShe isn’t studying English.
QuestionAm/Is/Are + Subject + Verb(+ing) + Object?Is she studying English?

🪄 Signal Words

now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, these days, look!, listen!, for the time being

Examples:

  • I am preparing for my IELTS test these days.
  • They are watching a movie right now.
  • The teacher is explaining the rules at the moment.

🧠 3. Usage Rules

  1. For actions happening right now:
    • I am talking to you at the moment.
  2. For temporary actions or situations:
    • She is living with her parents until she finds a job.
  3. For developing or changing situations:
    • The population of the city is increasing rapidly.
  4. For future arrangements:
    • I am meeting my IELTS tutor tomorrow.
  5. For repeated actions with annoyance (using “always”):
    • He is always forgetting his homework!

✍️ 4. IELTS-Style Examples

✅ In IELTS Writing Task 1 (Dynamic Trends):

  • The number of online students is rising steadily this year.
  • More people are choosing remote work as a lifestyle trend.

✅ In IELTS Speaking:

  • Right now, I am focusing on improving my writing skills.
  • These days, many people are becoming more health-conscious.
  • I am preparing for my IELTS exam because I want to study abroad.

🧩 5. Practice Activities

🧮 A. Verb Conjugation Drill

Write the Present Continuous form of each verb.

Base FormSubjectPresent Continuous
studyI_______
watchthey_______
eatshe_______
workwe_______
playhe_______
goyou_______
talkshe_______
prepareI_______
readthey_______
writehe_______

Answers:
I am studying, they are watching, she is eating, we are working, he is playing, you are going, she is talking, I am preparing, they are reading, he is writing.

Rewrite the following sentences in the Present Continuous Tense.

  1. She studies for IELTS every day.

2. They work on a group project.

3. He travels to the city by bus.

4. I learn English grammar.

5. We eat lunch together at noon.

Complete with the correct form of the verb (Present Continuous).
1. I ______ (study) hard for my IELTS exam this week.

2. She ______ (not/watch) TV at the moment.

3. They ______ (work) on a new research project.

4. ______ (you/listen) to me right now?

5. My friends ______ (prepare) for the speaking test.

6. We ______ (not/go) out because it’s raining.

7. The teacher ______ (explain) the question again.

8. People ______ (become) more aware of global warming.

Find and correct the mistakes in these sentences.
1. He is go to the library now.

2. They are plays football these days.

3. I am plan to go abroad for studies.

4. Is she study for her IELTS speaking test?

5. We are living in Lahore since 2015.

✏️ E. Speaking Practice – IELTS Mini Drills

🗣 Task 1: Describe what you’re doing these days.
Use Present Continuous naturally.
Example: “These days, I’m spending most of my time studying IELTS writing because I find it challenging.”
(Record yourself and upload below)

Drag and Drop File Here or Browse
🗣 Task 2: Talk about someone else’s current activity.

Example: “My best friend is preparing for his speaking test right now. He’s practicing mock questions with me.”
(Record yourself and upload below)

Drag and Drop File Here or Browse
🗣 Task 3: Describe a current trend in your city.

Example: “More people are using public transport instead of private cars these days.”
(Record yourself and upload below)

Drag and Drop File Here or Browse

  • About something changing in your city or country.
    • Create five original sentences using the Present Continuous tense:
    1. About your daily routine right now.
    2. About your IELTS preparation.
    3. About your family or friends.
    4. About a temporary situation in your life.
    5. About something changing in your city or country.

    🎓 IELTS Tip

    💡 Use the Present Continuous to describe:

    • Ongoing actions (I’m working on my speaking skills right now.)
    • Current trends (The number of online learners is increasing.)
    • Future arrangements (I’m taking my IELTS exam next month.)

    It adds fluency and natural rhythm to your speaking and helps you score higher in Grammatical Range & Accuracy.

    🐐 GoatGuru Wrap-Up

    Grammar isn’t just about tenses — it’s about showing control and confidence in your message.
    By mastering the Present Continuous, you’ll sound more natural, more fluent, and more IELTS-ready than ever.

    Contact us for more personalized One-on-One online classes

    Attempt Present Perfect Tense Exercises Here

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