1. Explain the use of the Present Continuous forms. Translate into Russian. Start like this:

Model: The teacher is explaining a new rule now. (The verb to explain is used in the Present Continuous tense form to denote an action happening at the moment of speaking)

1. Look through the window. It is snowing hard.

2. Do you remember Mr. Laker? He is coming to tea today.

3. Nelly's mother is angry with her because she is fond of chatting. She is always phoning her friends.

4. Do you know that Max is building his own house?

5. While I'm waiting for him at the bus stop, he is chatting with Kate over a cup of coffee in the cafe.

6. They are meeting their friends at the airport tomorrow morning.

7. The world is changing. Things never stay the same.

8. What are you thinking about?

9. He is still working at his new novel.

10) I am not speaking too fast to you, am I?

11) He is constantly losing his bag.

12) He is learning English now.

2. Transform into negative and interrogative forms.

1. The sun is shining brightly in the sky.

2. He and Mary are discussing their plans for the coming weekend.

3. We are celebrating his birthday on Saturday evening.

4. At the moment the child is making a lot of noise, playing with his toys.

5. They are getting married next week.

6. He's playing tennis with his friend in front of the house.

7. I'm still tidying up the room.

8. Helen is sitting in the armchair and talking on the phone.

9. If I am not mistaken, the Browns are buying some articles of furniture for their new house.

10. Betty is leaving for London at the end of the term.

11. I'm playing golf tomorrow.

12. They are leaving tonight.

2.Say that somebody is doing it.

Model: We are visiting them today.

1. We often visit them. (today)

2. Business in this area never booms much. (at the moment)

3. Kate cleans the house regularly. (this afternoon)

4. Felix plays golf every weekend. (now)

5. We sometimes go to the zoo. (tomorrow morning)

6. We always economize. (at the moment)

7. Mr Turner, the head of the division, generally has a talk with newcomers. (now)

8. I often meet Janet after work. (this evening)

9. My wife always makes some sandwiches for breakfast. (now)

10. Our son usually goes to the cinema with his friends. (tomorrow)

11. Every time I meet Joan she complains of losses her firm suffers. (now)

12. I don't work on Saturdays. (next Saturday)

13. During the afternoon our boss has meetings with clients. (this afternoon)

14. His hobby is gardening. He works in the garden too much. (at the moment)

15. My neighbour is a great theatre-goer. She goes to the theatre very often. (tonight)

4. Ask your fellow-student:

1. if he/she is leaving college this year;

2. what she is doing during her winter holidays;

3. if her brother is playing football at present or whether he is watching the match on TV at home;

4. when he/she is beginning his/her new job;

5. why he/she is always making a lot of mistakes in his/her dictations;

6. what he/she is going to cook for breakfast;

7. where they are going during their holidays;

8. if she is visiting the circus on Saturday;

9. how many museums we are going to visit in London;

10. what his mother is doing in the kitchen;

11. why he/she is putting on his/her warm winter coat;

12. what time he/she is going to listen to the latest news;

13. whom he/she is going to invite to his/her birthday party;

14. where they are leaving for at the end of the week;

15. why she is staying away from classes tomorrow .