2) Read the text: Facts and Figures About the American Family

The family is still the main unit in U.S. society; yet, in its traditional sense, the family is disappearing. The average American household is steadily getting smaller. One in five households now consists of one person living alone, while large families (six or more people) make up little over 5 percent of American households. On the other hand, nonfamily households (groups of unrelated people who live together) are increasing rapidly. Over one-fourth of today's households are nonfamily households. Most dramatically, the number of people who live in families with a single parent (male or female) is skyrocketing.

Overall, one out of every eight children—and nearly half of all black children—now has a single-parent home. Still, nine out of ten people continue to live in households as family members. In all, today's social scientists believe that although family life is definitely changing, the family is here to stay.

3) Looking at structures:

1. Underline all verbs that give facts. What tenses are they in?

2. Underline all verbs that express situations or activities in progress today. What tenses are they in?

3. Find the adverbs in the second, third, and fourth sentences. Where are they placed in relation to the verbs?

Ex. 21. Discuss the differences in meaning of the italicized verbs in each group of sentences.

1. a. These flowers smell good.

b. He is smelling the flowers.

2. a. I think Roberto is a kind man.

b. I am thinking about this grammar.

3. a. I see a butterfly. Do you see it too?

b. Jane is seeing a doctor about her headaches.

c. Jane and Jack are seeing each other. They are going out together every weekend.

4. a. Kathy looks cold. I’ll give her my coat.

b. Ann is looking out of the window. She sees a butterfly.

5. a. Sam appears to be asleep. Don’t disturb him.

b. My favourite actor is now appearing at the Odeon.

6. a. Sue is feeling the cat’s fur.

b. The cat’s fur feels soft.

c. I’m not feeling well today.

d. I feel that it is important to respect other people’s opinion.

7. a. Ann has a car.

b. I’m having a bath and can’t answer the phone.

c. Olga is having a hard time, but Tina is having a good time.

8. a. I remember my first teacher. Do you remember yours?

b. Aunt Sara is looking through an old picture album. She is remembering the wonderful days of her childhood.

9. a. This piano is too heavy to lift. It weighs too much.

b. The grocer is weighing the bananas.

Ex. 22. Complete the sentences using the correct form (Simple Present or Present Continuous).

1. I (have) _______ a great time.

2. She (have) _______ plenty of money just now.

3. He (appear) _______ at the Fortune Theatre next week.

4. She (appear) _______ to have a problem.

5. Why (you look) _______ at me like that?

6. It (look) _______ as if it’s going to rain.

7. I (see) _______ what you are trying to say.

8. I (see) _______ the manager this afternoon.

9. I (think) _______ you’re right.

10. What (you think) _______ about?

11. I (feel) _______ very tired today.

12. I (feel) _______ she’s making a mistake.

13. Mmmm! Dinner (smell) _______ good. What is it?

14. Why (you smell) _______ these roses? They are plastic!

Ex.23. Put a tick if a sentence is right and a cross if it is wrong. Correct the wrong sentences.

1. Jim isn’t wanting an ice-cream. He doesn’t like it.

2. We’re enjoying the course very much. We are learning a lot.

3. I’m understanding you but I’m not agreeing with you.

4. Do you think that Vanessa plays golf well?

5. I’m sorry. I’m not knowing the answer.

6. I’m not believing you. You are telling lies!

7. They know the car costs a lot of money, but they want to buy it.

8. She listens to a French song but she doesn’t understand what it is meaning.

Ex. 24. Make up situations to justify the use of the Simple Present and Present Continuous in the following pairs of sentences.

1. The head teacher is expecting you.

2. All I expect of them is a little kindness.

3. I am tasting the cake.

4. It tastes good.

5. Tom is thinking of emigrating.

6. What do you think of it.

7. Why are you smelling the fish?

8. The fish smells bad.

9. He has a country house with a large garden.

10. They are having some problems with their sons.

11. The parcel weighs 10 kilos.

12. She is weighing the baby.

13. It depends what you mean.

14. I am depending on you, so don’t make any mistakes.

15. This room measures 10 meters across.

16. The doctor is measuring out a dose of medicine.

17. Are you hearing anything from Andy these days?

18. Don’t shout I hear you quite well.

Ex.25 Complete the sentences with the Simple Present or Present Continuous of the verbs in parentheses.

1. That man is twice my weight. He ___________(to weigh) 98 kilos.

2. I _____________(to weigh) myself on the scales. I think I am over weight

3. Martha is at the market. Right now she _________ (to look) at the figs. She wants to buy some. They ___________(to look) fresh.

4. Sue is in the science building. The chemistry experiment she is doing now is very dangerous, so she _____________(to be) very careful. She doesn’t want to spill any of the acid. She ____________ (to be) always careful when she does a chemistry experiment.

5. “Susie! Get your fingers out of the dessert! What are you doing?” “I am ___________(to taste) the cake. It ______________(to taste) good.”

6. Mrs. Edwards ___________ (to have) a cat and a dog. They are always fighting.

7. Don’t disturb your father, Bob! He ____________ (to have) an important conversation with his boss.

8. “Will you listen to him?” “That ____________ (to depend).”

9. Don’t let him down. He _____________ (to depend) on you.

10. I _____________(to smell) something burning. Is there anything cooking on the stove?

11. Look! The child ____________(to smell) the flower. He is imitating the grown-ups.

12. Where did you buy these sheets? They ____________(to feel) soft.

13. Close the door, please. I ______________ (to feel) cold. I ____________ (to feel) that I am going to get ill.

14. “I still _____________ (to think) about John.” “I ____________ (not to think) you should worry about him.”

15. “I have an appointment with Mr. Jackson”. “Yes, I know. He __________ (to expect) you” said the secretary.

16. I haven’t seen Carol today. I _____________ (to expect) her to phone me this evening.

Ex. 26. Look at the following sentences. Decide which of the two people could say each of the sentences.

1. a) “I watch soap operas.”

b) “I am watching soap operas.”

(a journalist writing an article about soap operas/ a couch potato)

2. a) “I’m working at a restaurant.”

b) “I work at a restaurant.”

(a waiter/ a student on a holiday job)

3. a) “I travel a lot.”

b) “I’m traveling a lot.”

(a student on holiday/ an airline pilot)

Ex. 27Complete the following passage with simple present or present continuous forms of the verbs in parentheses.