ESLG 50
STUDY GUIDE for EXAM ONE: PRESENT & FUTURE
Including VERB FORM RULES. PRESENT AND FUTURE VERBS in both
SIMPLE AND PROGRESSIVE, TIME WORDS & TIME CLAUSES
v Review LESSONS 1 & 2 (the parts we have studied) in the textbook, especially the explanations and
examples on the following pages. Below each section is the skill that I expect you to know for the test.
1.1 Different ways we use the verb "BE"
Be able to use the verb "BE" correctly in many common expressions.
1.2 Contractions
Know how to form contracted (short) forms with the verb BE (he's, he isn't, etc).
1.3 Questions with BE
Know how to form both YES/NO and WH / INFO questions with BE
1.4 & 1.5 Present Simple Tense – positive & negative sentences
Be able to use simple present tense and know when to use the singular "-s" ending. Know how to form negatives
using the helping verb "DO + NOT".
1.6 & 1.7 Present Simple Tense – YES/NO questions & WH / INFO questions
Know how to make both yes/no and wh / info questions correctly following the handout examples.
1.8 Special Examples of Common Questions
Know how to use correct grammar in many common questions.
1.9 & 1.10 Simple Present Tense – frequency words
Know the rules for where to put frequency words in a sentence.
2.1 & 2.2 Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense
Be able to use this verb tense in sentences, both positive and negative. Know what words are often used to signal
present progressive. Know the verb form very well so make no mistakes.
2.3 Questions in Present Continuous – YES/NO questions & WH / INFO questions
Know how to write both yes/no and wh / info questions in Present Continuous
2.4 Compare and Contrast Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
Know when it's better to use Simple vs. Continuous, and what they mean when you use them.
2.5 Action and Non-Action Verbs
Memorize the non-action verbs (and the ones that can work BOTH ways). Use them correctly (i.e. NOT in Present
Continuous) if they are non-action verbs.
2.6 Future Simple Tense: Will
Know how to make correct sentences, negatives and questions with "will" + Verb.
2.7 Future Simple Tense: Be going to
Know how to use this semi-modal verb correctly in sentences, negatives, and questions.
2.8 Small Differences: Will vs. Be going to
Know the use of "will" for promising and offering/helping vs. "be going to" for planned or very certain events.
2.9 Future Time Words and Time Clauses
Know what words affect the verb tense, and how to write about future times correctly. Understand the idea of "form"
vs. "meaning".
HOW TO PREPARE?
Review the lecture notes you have been taking during class. (What? No notes? That’s a problem!)
Review all your homework assignments from Lessons 1 & 2 (both in the book and on paper) paying
special attention to the areas where you had trouble, and the mistakes that you made.
Review all the handouts the teacher has given you on Verb Form Rules, Question Order in English
and Future Time & Time Clauses.
Review the relevant websites on the G 50 website (Column 1 on the website).
Review Summaries, Editing Advice, Editing Quizzes and Review Tests on pp. 33-39 & pp. 79-84.
v Work with classmates in a Study Group to improve your knowledge. Get contact info & names today.
v Write one specific question about Lesson 1 or 2 grammar to ask Prof. Thomas on Tuesday.
v Compare how the grammar in your first (native) language works, and how English works differently.
On the back you will see some sample exam questions à
SAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS
KNOW the five verb form rules. Know how to form present simple, present continuous and future simple by following
these verb form rules, and check all your verbs to be sure they're correct.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
DO
HAVE
BE
+ Base Form
+
(simple; questions/negatives)
+ V ing (continuous)
+
(perfect)
rd
+ 3 Form (passive voice)
KNOW the correct question word order:
•
•
WH / INFO questions à WH question word + HV helping verb + S subject + MV main verb + the rest of it.
o Ex. What is he doing here? How much time will the exam take? Why didn’t you call me yesterday?
YES/NO questions à HV helping verb + S subject + MV main verb + the rest of it.
o Ex: Is he doing everything well? Will the exam take a long time? Did you call me yesterday?
FIND AND FIX ERRORS with verb form and verb tenses:
•
My friend Omar is owning his own car now. It’s a new car. Today he driving to a small town to visit his aunt.
She doesn’t liked to travel, so he go to visit her every weekend. (4 errors)
•
On August 16, 2014, I get married. The wedding will in San Francisco. One friend will flies out from Boston,
and another is gonna drive up from Los Angeles. We will be meet at my house. (5 errors)
COMPLETE the sentence correctly with the right verb form & verb tense:
•
th
This Friday, September 13 , my husband and I…
*use future time “will +V”
*use future time “be going to +V” *use present continuous for future plans Extra credit: Can you make a correct ending using present simple?
FILL IN the correct verb tenses. (Watch for time words and time clauses.)
Ex.: Your neighbors are having a very loud party, and you need to sleep. It is after 2 a.m.
If you (not, turn)
down the music, I
the police. (call)
Child: I
Ex. Parent: Please take out the garbage. Child: Okay, but not right now.
before I
. *your words!
WRITE with verb tenses (there will be 2-3 short paragraphs to write on this test):
1. Write a paragraph to describe your usual school or daily life, AND what is different now, this semester. Use
present simple and present continuous.
Ex.: Normally I take a lot of classes, but this semester I’m focusing on my major courses. I’m only taking two
classes, and I feel much more relaxed.
2. Write a paragraph to describe what you plan to do when you finish school. Use both will & be going to for future
time, but remember to use present simple in time clauses.
Ex. After I graduate, I’ll probably go back to my country. I’m going to have trouble finding a job there, but I’ll
need money.