What’s Happening in the Picture?
I can describe a scene in progress and check a detail with a question.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Your situation
Imagine a class during a break. One person is opening a bag. Two friends are sharing a snack. Another person is looking for a pen. A tutor asks, “Is anyone reading?” A student replies, “Yes. Jo is reading by the table.”
Read the situation transcript
Imagine a class during a break. One person is opening a bag. Two friends are sharing a snack. Another person is looking for a pen. A tutor asks, “Is anyone reading?” A student replies, “Yes. Jo is reading by the table.”
Which activities involve more than one person?
Compare your idea
Two friends are sharing a snack; are agrees with the plural subject.
How it works
Use the present continuous to describe visible actions in progress. Name the person or people, choose is or are, and add the -ing form.
Check an uncertain detail with a question: Is Jo reading? Are they eating? The answer can repeat be. The text gives every essential detail, so you can also do the activity without an image.
One person is doing…; two people are doing…. Is/Are + subject + doing…?
Notice this
Jo is reading.
One person is doing the activity.
Compare this
Two friends are eating.
The plural subject takes are.
Hear the examples
Jo is reading.
One person is doing the activity.
Two friends are eating.
The plural subject takes are.
Is she opening her bag?
This checks one visible action.
No, she isn’t.
This answers a question with is.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: Two people is eating.
Say: Two people are eating.
Use are with more than one person.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Describe one action around you or in an invented scene.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
One person is writing.
Check yourself: Include is before the -ing form.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Describe two people doing something together.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Two people are talking.
Check yourself: Use are with the plural subject.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Ask a partner to check one detail.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Is the woman reading?
Check yourself: Use neutral descriptions; do not infer identities.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Complete: The students ___ sharing a snack.
Compare a model and explanation
The students are sharing a snack.
Students is plural.
Self-check 2
Ask a question: Jo is looking for a pen.
Compare a model and explanation
Is Jo looking for a pen?
Move is before Jo.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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One student ___ opening a notebook.
is: One student takes is.
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Two friends are ___ a snack.
sharing: Are is followed by the -ing form.
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Choose a question about an action now.
Is Jo reading?: Use is before Jo and the -ing form.
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A person has a pen in motion on paper. Which description matches the stated action?
She is writing.: Is writing describes the action in progress now.
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Correct “They are talk.”
They are talking.: Use the -ing form after are.
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“Are they eating?” Choose a negative short answer.
No, they aren’t.: Repeat are in a short answer.
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Which sentence describes a plural group?
The students are waiting.: Students and are identify a plural subject.
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What is the woman doing?
Opening a bag: The audio identifies opening a bag as her current action.
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Choose the correct sentence.
I’m looking for a pen.: Use am plus looking.
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What should you describe in this task?
The actions stated or visible now: The target is an observable activity in progress, not an unsupported inference.
Take it with you
I can describe a scene in progress and check a detail with a question.