sit
to rest your body on a chair or seat
I am sitting.
Lesson 8 of 13 · A1–A2
What people are doing now
Describe current actions and what people are wearing.
1. Grammar: Present continuous: am/is/are + -ing
Use am/is/are + verb-ing for an action happening now. Keep be in the sentence: I am reading, not I reading. Put be before the subject in questions. Add not after be for negatives. Write → writing drops e; sit → sitting doubles t.
- I am + verb-ing. → I am reading.
- She is + verb-ing. → She is wearing a coat.
- Are you + verb-ing? → Are you listening?
- What is he doing? → He is cooking.
- I am not + verb-ing. → I am not sleeping.
Model conversation
A: What are you doing?
B: I am studying English.
A: Are you writing?
B: No, I am not. I am listening.
2. Basic words and verbs
Say each word, read its meaning, and make a sentence using the example.
stand
to be upright on your feet
She is standing.
listen
to pay attention to a sound
I am listening.
speak
to say words
We are speaking English.
write
to make words on paper or a screen
He is writing.
read
to look at and understand words
I am reading a book.
wear
to have clothing on your body
She is wearing a shirt.
cook
to prepare food with heat
He is cooking rice.
drink
to take liquid into your mouth
I am drinking water.
wait
to stay until something happens
We are waiting for a bus.
3. Conversation: 15 questions
Answer with a complete sentence. Open an answer starter if you need help, then replace the dots with your own words. Take turns asking and answering.
Are you sitting or standing now?
Answer starter
I am …
What are you wearing today?
Answer starter
I am wearing …
Are you wearing a blue shirt?
Answer starter
I am / am not wearing a blue shirt.
Are you wearing shoes?
Answer starter
I am / am not wearing shoes.
Are you listening to your teacher?
Answer starter
I am / am not listening to my teacher.
What language are you speaking now?
Answer starter
I am speaking …
Are you writing now?
Answer starter
I am / am not writing.
What are you reading now?
Answer starter
I am reading … / I am not reading now.
Are you drinking anything?
Answer starter
I am drinking … / I am not drinking anything.
What is your teacher doing?
Answer starter
My teacher is …
What is your teacher wearing?
Answer starter
My teacher is wearing …
What is someone near you doing? Imagine a person if you are alone.
Answer starter
He / She is …
Is that person cooking?
Answer starter
He / She is / isn’t cooking.
Is that person waiting for something?
Answer starter
He / She is / isn’t waiting for …
What two things are you doing in this lesson?
Answer starter
I am … and …
4. Say it again
Choose three questions and answer again without the starters. Use at least three words from the word bank. Your partner can listen for the grammar pattern, then help you repeat the sentence.