Put am / is / are before the subject to ask a question.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
I am reading.
Moderate / Add a little
She is reading a story now.
Challenge / Try when ready
Are they reading while the teacher writes?
More detail for teachers and confident learners
The present continuous uses am, is or are followed by an ing form. ‘The children are reading’ describes an action happening around now. The be form is essential; ‘The children reading’ is not the same complete sentence. Many verbs simply add ing, but make becomes making and run becomes running. Learn common spelling patterns with familiar verbs. ‘I am drawing a map. My friend is colouring it.’ Each person has a suitable be form and an ing action.
Look at a scene and decide what is actually happening. Name the person or thing, choose am/is/are and then add the action. For a negative, put not after be. For a question, move be before the subject. Check that your description does not accidentally become a routine statement.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
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Use am / is / are + verb-ing for an action happening now.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
I play every day.
Moderate / Add a little
I am playing now.
Challenge / Try when ready
She usually walks, but today she is taking the bus.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
The present simple and present continuous tell different meanings. ‘She walks to school’ describes a habit. ‘She is walking to school’ describes an action in progress. Time clues such as ‘every day’ and ‘right now’ help, but meaning is the main guide. A picture of one moment often needs a now sentence, while a timetable often describes a regular routine. ‘Ravi usually reads after dinner, but today he is helping his sister.’ The first part is a habit and the second is happening at this time.
Ask what the sentence means before choosing a tense. Find the subject and check either the simple verb form or be plus ing. Some common verbs, such as like and know, usually describe a state and are not normally used with ing in this meaning. Use clear examples before learning unusual exceptions.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
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In means inside. On means touching the top surface. Between means in the space separating two things.
Use the word that shows the correct place or movement.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
The ball is in the box.
Moderate / Add a little
The book is on the desk.
Challenge / Try when ready
Nila sits between Ravi and Amal.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
Prepositions describe the relationship between places and objects. ‘Between’ places something in the middle of two reference points; ‘next to’ means beside; ‘opposite’ means facing across a space. A clear direction tells the listener where to start and what to do next. ‘Go straight’ and ‘turn left’ name movements, while a landmark helps confirm the place. ‘The library is between the office and the hall. Start at the gate, go straight and turn right at the tree.’ The landmarks make the route easier to follow.
Trace the route on a simple drawing before speaking. Give one instruction at a time and use the listener’s direction of travel when choosing left or right. For classroom practice, a paper map is safer and clearer than walking near real traffic. Check the destination after following your own instructions.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
The paid worksheet brings together all the lessons in this unit. A separate answer or model guide is included. Page count depends on the skills and activities.
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