Getting to know each other
(To show them in context, only the simple present and present continuous tenses are used, some examples are with background colour.)
Mariluz and Manuel are new classmates. They arrive early for their second class. The two are sitting around a table, and decide to practice some English before the lesson in the form of a casual conversation.
Manuel: - Good morning, Mariluz! How are you?
Mariluz: - Good morning, Manuel! I am good thanks, and you?
Mar (with a smile): - No, I don’t. After English class, we usually go for a walk with my kids and my spouse. What do you do on Saturday afternoons?
Man: - We like eating out, visiting museums or going to the cinema. The grandparents look after our child. The family goes hiking on Sundays. How old are your kids?
Mar: - My son is nine and my daughter is twelve. They grow so fast, aren’t they?
Man (with a nod): - My daughter, Daniela, is nineteen and already goes to university. I still think of her as my little girl.
Mar (laughs): - What does she study?
Man: - Architecture.
Mar: - My younger child, Alberto, loves drawing buildings too. In fact, he loves drawing everything.
Man (smiling): - So does my daughter, and yours?
Mar: - Carmen is into music. She plays the piano very well, and practices playing the violin too. Do you have other children?
Man: - No, we only have a daughter.
Mar: - Oh, yes. Does she play any instrument?
Man: - No, she goes dancing three times a week. She is practising now too, she loves it. Do your kids do any sports?
Mar: - Yes. My daughter goes swimming, and my son plays water polo. They both love being in water. They are going to the swimming pool right now with their father.
At this moment the teacher arrives, they enter the classroom and the lecture starts.
Activity One
Can you find all verbs in the simple present, or present continuous tense?
Activity Two
If you like, answer these questions below.
(Try replying with a complete sentence instead of single words. If you are alone and comfortable with it, you can also give the answers aloud.)
- What language are the two learning?
- What do Mariluz and her family do after class?
- What does Manuel do on Saturday afternoons?
- Do the children of Mariluz do watersports?
- Is the daughter of Manuel eighteen years old?
- What instruments does Carmen play?
- Where are the kids of Mariluz?
- What is Daniela doing now?
- Does Alberto like singing?