Grammar Interactive Practice
Choose a topic and start practising.
Choose a topic and start practising.
DOCTORS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER HEAVY SCHOOL BAGS
Every year thousands of children (GO) to the doctor because of back pain, and in fact, this kind of problem (RAPIDLY BECOME) one of the most common childhood complaints. And what exactly (CAUSE) this outbreak of back strain and muscle fatigue? It (SEEM) that even quite young children (TAKE) more and more to school – not just books, but also clothes and games players – and their backpacks (SIMPLY WEIGH) too much. 'Some kids (CARRY) more than 25% of their bodyweight in a bag that has a nice cartoon character on the bag, but which (ACTUALLY GIVE) them serious backache,' reported Dr Elaine Sachs, a GP in North London. 'Most parents (SIMPLY NOT REALIZE) what (HAPPEN) to their children.'
*
INVESTIGATORS TO REPORT ON TRAIN CRASH
Accident investigators (STILL EXAMINE) the wreckage of the high speed train which left the rails and overturned in northwest England last week. According to reports, they (NOT BELIEVE) the accident (INVOLVE) driver error. 'We (EXPECT) to publish an inquiry into this accident quite soon,' a spokesman announced yesterday. 'Engineers (WORK) round the clock to replace the track, and we (HOPE) to restore a normal service within two weeks. We (REALIZE) that people (DEPEND) on the railway, and we (UNDERSTAND) how much everyone has been shocked by this accident. However, we (CHECK) thousands of sections of track all over the country to make sure that nothing like this can ever happen again.'
© MEG Advanced U02Ex04
1. (YOU DO) anything at the moment? I need some help with the computer.
2. This product (CONTAIN) no added chemicals of any kind.
3. Nobody (VISIT) Rome without going to see the ruins of the Roman Forum.
4. Sarah (BEGIN) to regret not taking the job in France she was offered.
5. Martin (SEE) Tina at the moment. They’ve been going out together for the past month.
6. I’m sorry, but I (NOT KNOW) where George is at the moment.
7. ‘Is Helen ready yet?’ ‘She (TAKE) her time, but she says she’ll be ready soon.’
8. The larger of the two rooms (MEASURE) 8 m by 4 m.
9. What (HAPPEN) in the street now? I can’t see anything from here.
10. There’s nobody else to do the job, so I (SUPPOSE) I’ll have to do it.
© MEG Advanced U02Ex.03
1. I can’t walk any more. My knee really hurts / is really hurting.
2. This cheese smells / is smelling terrible!
3. Thanks for your e-mail. I’m hoping / I hope to get back to you very soon.
4. ‘What are you doing / do you do?’ ‘I’m a musician.’
5. We’re having our house completely redecorated. it’s costing / it costs a lot.
6. In this country, more than a million people are living / live in poverty.
7. Can you stop the car? i’m feeling / i feel a bit sick.
8. I think we’re beginning / we begin to understand this problem.
9. Nice to see you again! you’re looking / you look really great!
10. ‘What’s the answer?’ ‘Wait a moment, i’m thinking / i think.’
© MEG Advanced U02Ex01
This interactive grammar exercise is designed for Advanced (C1) learners. Complete each sentence with the correct Present Simple or Present Continuous form of the verb in brackets. Click Check answers to see your results and corrections.
1. I (ADMIT) that dating apps have changed the way people meet, but I also think smartphones are damaging actual romance.
2. To reduce your digital dependency, first you (TURN OFF) all push notifications, and then you leave your phone in another room during dinner.
3. Modern couples (CONSTANTLY / CHECK) their phones during dates! It is ruining their emotional connection.
4. Look at that table! Here (GO) yet another candlelit dinner, ruined by two people texting everyone except each other.
5. You (BE) completely distant this evening; please put your smartphone away while I am trying to talk to you.
6. In the latest sociological study, the author (ARGUE) that rapid technological growth correlates with a sharp drop in birth rates.
7. By checking your emails every five minutes on our anniversary, you (IMPLY) that your work is more important than our marriage.
8. Watch this social experiment: the researcher (PUT) a phone on the table, (OBSERVE) the couple's body language, and (RECORD) how quickly the conversation dies.
9. Since reading the USA Today analysis on screen time, I (FIND) the new data on relationship dissatisfaction surprisingly convincing.
10. I (HEAR) that more young adults are choosing screen time over actual dates, and that it may be one reason relationships are becoming harder to start.
©Macmillan English Grammar in Context. Advanced