Simple present tense reading, listening and grammar worksheet

Read about the Evans sisters. Correct the information in the sentences below. Use the information in the text.

This is a reading and listening activity. Students read, listen, and answer the questions. The activity has an answer key.

*Download this worksheet: Simple present tense reading, listening and grammar worksheet.

Simple Present Tense: Explained for Elementary Students

1. Understanding the Simple Present Tense

• Definition: The simple present tense is used to talk about habitual actions, general truths, and routines. It’s used for actions that happen regularly, facts, and things that are always true.
• Examples of Usage:
  • “I play soccer every Saturday.”
  • “The sun rises in the east.”
  • “She loves chocolate.”

2. Forming the Simple Present Tense

• Affirmative Sentences: In affirmative sentences, we use the base form of the verb (infinitive without “to”) for all subjects except “he,” “she,” and “it,” where we add “s” or “es” to the verb.
  • Examples:
    • “I play tennis.” (Base form of the verb “play”)
    • “He plays tennis.” (Adding “s” for the third person singular)
• Negative Sentences: In negative sentences, we use the auxiliary verb “do” (or “does” for third person singular) + “not” before the base form of the verb.
  • Examples:
    • “I do not play tennis.” (Adding “do not” before the base form “play”)
    • “She does not play tennis.” (Using “does not” before the base form “play”)
• Questions: In questions, we use the auxiliary verb “do” (or “does” for third person singular) + the base form of the verb.
  • Examples:
    • “Do you play tennis?” (Using “do” before the base form “play”)
    • “Does she play tennis?” (Using “does” before the base form “play”)

Simple Present Tense Usage Table with Pronouns and Answers:

Note:

• In affirmative sentences, the base form of the verb is used for all pronouns except “he,” “she,” and “it,” where we add “s” or “es” to the verb.
• In negative sentences, “do” (or “does” for third person singular) + “not” is used before the base form of the verb.
• In question sentences, “do” (or “does” for third person singular) is used before the base form of the verb.

3. State Verbs in the Simple Present Tense

• Definition: State verbs express states, conditions, or situations rather than actions. They are not typically used in continuous (progressive) forms and are often used in the simple present tense.
• Examples of State Verbs:
  • Emotions and Feelings:
    • love, like, hate, dislike, adore, detest, prefer, appreciate
    • admire, envy, fear, loathe, cherish, enjoy, appreciate
  • Senses:
    • see, hear, smell, taste, feel (in the sense of experiencing a sensation)
  • Mental States and Perception:
    • think, believe, know, understand, remember, forget, realize
    • recognize, doubt, suppose, expect, mean, perceive, doubt
  • Physical States and Appearances:
    • be, seem, appear, look (in the sense of appearance), sound (in the sense of appearance)
    • resemble, have (in the sense of possession), belong, own, contain
  • Possession and Relationships:
    • have (in the sense of possession), possess, belong (in the sense of ownership), own, contain
    • need, require, deserve, owe, consist (in the sense of composition)

State Verbs in the Simple Present Tense

• State verbs describe a condition or state, so they often remain the same in both affirmative and negative sentences.
• Example:
  • “She likes ice cream.” (Affirmative)
  • “She does not like ice cream.” (Negative)