Cambridge University Press & Britnico

CFC Extension Grammar - Unit 1

A Present Continuous vs. Present Simple Complete these sentences with suitable verbs selected from the provided list.
Use negatives or questions if necessary. Use the same verb in each of the following three-sentence groups with either the
present continuous or the present simple. (Of the provided verbs, only one works for each three-sentence group.

guess have eat take play listen break wonder know put

1 a I _________________ whether you could help me. You see, I am expecting a parcel, but I have to step out for a couple
hours. Could you please sign for it, should it arrive while I am out?
b Do you think Alex would be a suitable candidate for the management job? Hmmmmm. Thats a really good question
considering his teaching background. I _________________.
c We _________________ Ms. Taylor if you could please give us just one more day to finish our class assignment.
2 a Should I call you at 3 p.m. this Sunday? I really wish you wouldnt. I lie down at 2.30 p.m. and usually
_________________ a nap at that time.
b We _________________ venison, thank you very much anyway. We are vegetarians!
c Every night, like clockwork, the Jones _________________ dinner together as a family.
3 a Michael usually _________________ several different pills with his meals. He has a chronic condition that requires it.
b Mary and Ann abhor sexist language. They simply _________________ kindly to it.
c We _________________ this anymore. We have had just about enough of your insolence and sarcasm!
4 a Those annoying neighbours of mine constantly _________________ loud techno music until the wee hours of the
morning. (hint This is a complaint.)
b Marcus _________________ King Henry VIII in the current production at the Royal Theatre that started last week.
c They _________________ badminton every weekend at the country club with their friends.
5 a Every time that Michael eats strawberries, his skin _________________ out in terrible hives.
b When we say that we _________________ bread with someone , we mean we share a meal as a sign of camaraderie.
c My old car forever _________________ down, and I cannot afford to keep it anymore. (hint - This is a complaint.)


B Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous Complete these sentences with suitable verbs. Use the same verb in
each three-sentence group, using either the present perfect or the present perfect continuous. Use negative forms where
appropriate. Note; you have no word list, but there is only one possibility for each group.)
1 a Richard Phillips _________________ in a rented flat since returning to Blackpool last month.
b They _________________ at a bed and breakfast near Westminster three times, and they just love the rooms.
c The disgraced politician _________________ under the radar ever since the scandal broke last week.
2 a The boutique _________________ much more merchandise ever since Lindsay Lohan was photographed shopping there.
b As house prices in the city centre have risen, people _________________ to the countryside.
c Jane _________________ up in the company twice since she started in sales, and she is now a regional manager.
3 a I need to swim 50 lengths at the pool today. I _________________ that far since I was at university.
b She _________________ all morning and now shes totally knackered.
c Since the beginning of time, Pacific salmon _________________ up the Klamath River to spawn in calm waters.
4 a In recent years, British companies _________________ much money into mining in the African subcontinent.
b The company _________________ its subsidiary up for sale yet because they are waiting for the market to recover first.
c _________________ up with my boyfriends bad humour since he lost his job, and I dont deserve to be treated this way.
5 a Mary felt a little embarrassed when she had to admit that she _________________ any of Shakespeares plays.
b I _________________ this book on financial derivatives for four hours, and I am still only on page 9!
c He _________________ on an adult level since he was five years old, and he has quite an impressive vocabulary.