✨ Chapter 1 Actions in Progress ✨
A. Study the Situation
➡️ Emma is in her car. She’s on her way to the office.
She is driving to the office.
This means:
She is driving now.
The action hasn’t finished yet.
We form the present continuous with am/is/are + verb + -ing:
| Subject | Verb Example |
| I | am reading |
| he/she/it | is cooking |
| we/you/they | are dancing |
B. Meaning of “I am doing”
👉 “I am doing something” = I’m in the middle of it. I’ve started, but I haven’t finished.
🔑 Often, it’s happening right now:
✅ Examples:
Please don’t shout. I’m studying. (❌ not “I study”)
Where’s Laura? She’s taking a shower. (❌ not “She takes”)
Let’s go out now. It’s not snowing anymore. (❌ not “It doesn’t snow”)
(At a party) Hi, Ben. Are you enjoying the party? (❌ not “Do you enjoy”)
I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight!
📝 But: The action doesn’t have to be exactly at the moment of speaking:
Example:
Imagine Jake and Emma are chatting at a café.
Jake says:
“I’m reading a great novel right now. I’ll lend it to you once I’m done.”
Note: Jake isn’t reading it right now, but he has started and hasn’t finished.
More examples:
Sophia wants to work in Spain, so she’s learning Spanish.
Some friends of mine are renovating their apartment. They hope to finish by autumn.
C. Present Continuous for “around now”
We use the present continuous for actions happening around now (not necessarily this moment):
✅ Examples:
You’re working really hard today.
→ “Yeah, there’s so much to finish.” (❌ not “You work hard today”)
Is Leo working this week?
→ “No, he’s taking a few days off.”
We also use it for changes happening around now:
✅ Examples:
The global temperature is rising rapidly. (❌ not “rises”)
Is your Spanish improving? (❌ not “Does your Spanish improve?”)
Similarly, we use verbs like:
becoming, starting, beginning, changing, improving, increasing, falling, growing
Example:
I didn’t like my role at first, but I’m starting to enjoy it now. (❌ not “I start”)
Your Trainer will join you to explain the concepts in a few moments. Please keep a note and a pencil ready; do not attempt to complete Task 1 now
✨ TASK 1 – Present Continuous Practice ✨
1.1 Complete the sentences with one of these verbs (correct form):
👉 arriving – fixing – happening – waiting – making – preparing – staying – trying – working
“You’re working hard today.”
– “Yes, I __________ a big project.”
I __________ for Clara. Have you seen her?
It __________ late. Should we leave soon?
They don’t have a place yet. They __________ with friends until they find a flat.
“Are you ready, Liam?”
– “Yes, I __________.”
Take an umbrella. It __________ to rain.
You __________ too much noise. Could you be quieter? I __________ to concentrate.
Why are these people here? What __________?
1.2 Complete the questions (use words in brackets):
“Is Daniel working this week?”
– “No, he’s off.” (Daniel/work)
Why __________ at me like that? (you/look)
“Ella is a law student.”
– “Oh? What __________?” (she/study)
__________ to music or should I turn it off? (anyone/listen)
How’s your Italian? __________ better? (it/get)
1.3 Put the verb into the correct form (sometimes negative):
I’m exhausted. I __________ (go) to bed now.
We can head out now. It __________ (rain) anymore.
“How’s your internship?”
– “Honestly? I __________ (enjoy) it very much.”
Maya messaged me last night. She’s on holiday in Greece. She __________ (have) a fantastic time.
I’m trying to lose weight, so this week I __________ (skip) lunch.
Nathan started classes recently. He __________ (learn) French.
I think Oliver and Sophie had a fight. They __________ (speak) to each other.
1.4 Complete the conversation between Kevin and Zoe:
ZOE: Kevin! Great to see you! What (1) __________ (you/do) these days?
KEVIN: I (2) __________ (train) to be a chef.
ZOE: Really? Do you like it? (3) __________ (you/enjoy) it?
KEVIN: It’s good so far. How about you?
ZOE: Actually, I (4) __________ (not/work) right now. I (5) __________ (look) for a new position. But I’m keeping busy—I (6) __________ (paint) my apartment.
KEVIN: (7) __________ (you/do) it alone?
ZOE: No, my cousins (8) __________ (help) me.
1.5 Complete the sentences with these verbs:
👉 improving – changing – rising – falling – increasing
The number of electric cars __________ every year.
Ella was sick, but she __________ slowly.
The world __________ fast.
Prices __________ again this month.
The situation is serious—and it __________ worse.
✅ Tip: Write answers in the blanks or discuss them with a friend!
ANSWERS
1.1 Complete the sentences with one of these verbs:
👉 arriving – fixing – happening – waiting – making – preparing – staying – trying – working
“You’re working hard today.”
– “Yes, I am working on a big project.”
I am waiting for Clara. Have you seen her?
It is getting late. Should we leave soon? (Note: “getting” fits better here, though it wasn’t in the verb list—if you must pick from the list, “arriving” doesn’t fit well)
They don’t have a place yet. They are staying with friends until they find a flat.
“Are you ready, Liam?”
– “Yes, I am preparing.”
Take an umbrella. It is starting to rain. (Again, “starting” is better, but from the given list, “trying” or “arriving” doesn’t fit well—was “starting” missing?)
You are making too much noise. Could you be quieter? I am trying to concentrate.
Why are these people here? What is happening?
1.2 Complete the questions (use words in brackets):
“Is Daniel working this week?”
– “No, he’s off.” (Daniel/work)
Why are you looking at me like that? (you/look)
“Ella is a law student.”
– “Oh? What is she studying?” (she/study)
Is anyone listening to music or should I turn it off? (anyone/listen)
How’s your Italian? Is it getting better? (it/get)
1.3 Put the verb into the correct form (sometimes negative):
I’m exhausted. I am going to bed now.
We can head out now. It isn’t raining anymore.
“How’s your internship?”
– “Honestly? I am not enjoying it very much.”
Maya messaged me last night. She’s on holiday in Greece. She is having a fantastic time.
I’m trying to lose weight, so this week I am skipping lunch.
Nathan started classes recently. He is learning French.
I think Oliver and Sophie had a fight. They aren’t speaking to each other.
1.4 Complete the conversation between Kevin and Zoe:
ZOE: Kevin! Great to see you! What (1) are you doing these days?
KEVIN: I (2) am training to be a chef.
ZOE: Really? Do you like it? (3) Are you enjoying it?
KEVIN: It’s good so far. How about you?
ZOE: Actually, I (4) am not working right now. I (5) am looking for a new position. But I’m keeping busy—I (6) am painting my apartment.
KEVIN: (7) Are you doing it alone?
ZOE: No, my cousins (8) are helping me.
1.5 Complete the sentences with these verbs:
👉 improving – changing – rising – falling – increasing
The number of electric cars is increasing every year.
Ella was sick, but she is improving slowly.
The world is changing fast.
Prices are rising again this month.
The situation is serious—and it is getting worse. (Though “getting” isn’t in the provided list, it’s the correct collocation; none of the given verbs fit perfectly for “getting worse”)