Question

Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous. Hi Suzie! Thanks for your email! I 1) ........ (be) very busy today! My little brother 2) ...... (have) a fancy dress party for his birthday tomaorrow. So Mum 3) ........... (tidy) the house and i 4) ............. (make) my brother's costume. He 5) ............(want) to be a pirate! Well, I must go now. Dad 6) ............ (need) some help in the kitchen. My mum 7) ........... (not/like) baking so my dad 8) ............. (make) the cake for the party! Talk to you later. Holly P.S. 9) ............. (you/want) to come to the party? Let me know!

Answer 1

Was
Has
Is tidying
Am making
Wants
Needs
Doesn't like
Is making
Do you want

Answer 2

Hi Suzie! Thanks for your email! I am very busy today! My little brother is having a fancy dress party for his birthday tomorrow. So Mum is tidying the house and I am making my brother's costume. He wants to be a pirate! Well, I must go now. Dad needs some help in the kitchen. My mum doesn't like baking so my dad is making the cake for the party! Talk to you later. Holly P.S. Do you want to come to the party? Let me know!

Here is the breakdown of the verb tenses used in the passage:

1. I am (present continuous) - This is used to talk about an action happening at the moment of speaking. 2. is having (present continuous) - This is used to talk about an action happening around the present time. 3. is tidying (present continuous) - This is used to talk about an action happening around the present time. 4. am making (present continuous) - This is used to talk about an action happening around the present time. 5. wants (present simple) - This is used to talk about a habitual or permanent action. 6. needs (present simple) - This is used to talk about a habitual or permanent action. 7. doesn't like (present simple) - This is used to talk about a habitual or permanent action. 8. is making (present continuous) - This is used to talk about an action happening around the present time. 9. Do you want (present simple) - This is used to talk about a habitual or permanent action.

In general, we use the present simple tense for habitual or permanent actions, general truths, and scheduled events. We use the present continuous tense for actions happening around the present time or temporary situations.