1.
Michael usually __________ (watch) TV 3 hours a day.
Explanation
The answer "watches" is correct because it agrees with the subject "Michael" and the present tense verb form "usually watches" matches the present tense habitual action of watching TV for 3 hours a day.
2.
Today he ______________ (decide) to do something different for a change.
Explanation
The correct answer is "has decided" because the sentence is in the present perfect tense, which is used to talk about actions that happened in the past but have a connection to the present. In this case, "Today" indicates that the action of deciding happened in the past, but it is still relevant to the present moment.
3.
He ____________ (watch) only the News Program and after that he is going out with some friends.
Explanation
The sentence is in present continuous tense, indicating an action that is happening at the present moment. "Is watching" is the correct form of the verb "watch" in the present continuous tense.
4.
Frank ___________ (work) with new technologies for a year now.
Explanation
The correct answer is "has worked" because the sentence is in the present perfect tense, which is used to talk about an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. In this case, Frank started working with new technologies a year ago and is still doing so.
5.
According to him, what we have today in terms of telecommunications ___________ (become) obsolete by the minute.
Explanation
The correct answer is "is becoming". The sentence is discussing the current state of telecommunications and how it is becoming obsolete. The phrase "is becoming" indicates an ongoing process or change happening in the present.
6.
Judith __________ (organize) our conferences and booklets publishing.
Explanation
The correct answer is "organizes" because it agrees with the subject "Judith" and is in the present tense.
7.
This month she is away on vacation, so I _______________(arranging) everything with the publishing company.
Explanation
The correct answer is "am arranging". This is because the sentence is in the present tense and the subject "I" is performing the action of arranging everything with the publishing company.
8.
This week we are receiving lots of enquiries about our new website. Internet users _________________(love) the news layout and all the changes made by our web design staff.
Explanation
The correct answer is "are loving". This is because the sentence is referring to the present time and the action of loving the new website is ongoing. The use of the present continuous tense "are loving" indicates that the love for the new website is happening at the moment and is not a general statement.
9.
I ____________(work) for Open University. We provide Internet based education courses. At the moment we are preparing a videoconference course on English literature.
Explanation
The correct answer is "work" because it is the correct form of the verb to fill in the blank. The sentence is in the present tense and the subject "I" requires the base form of the verb "work".
10.
As a rule, cheap imports lead to greater competition. They ____________(lead) to the closure of a number of inefficient factories in our country.
Explanation
The correct answer is "are leading". This is because the sentence is in present tense and the verb "lead" should also be in present tense to maintain consistency. Additionally, the word "cheap imports" is plural, so the verb should also be plural. Therefore, "are leading" is the correct form of the verb to use in this sentence.
11.
I think English is easy. I ____________(think) of joining an English course next semester.
Explanation
The correct answer is "am thinking". In this sentence, the verb "think" is in the present continuous tense, indicating an action that is happening at the present moment. The subject "I" is performing the action of thinking, so the correct form of the verb is "am thinking". This form is used to express a current or temporary state of mind or intention.
12.
This wine ___________(be) in the cellar for 15 years. When we take it out and open it, it will taste great.
Explanation
The correct answer is "has been". This is because the sentence is referring to an action that started in the past (the wine being in the cellar) and is still ongoing in the present. The present perfect tense "has been" is used to indicate this continuous action.
13.
The US President___________(visit) our country three times in the last two years.
Explanation
The correct answer is "has visited" because the sentence is in the present perfect tense and is referring to an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has just been completed.
14.
(From my "Trekking Journal)... Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything is so different, and I _________(try) to adapt to the way of life here.
Explanation
The correct answer is "am trying". This is because the sentence is written in the present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action. The phrase "I am trying" shows that the speaker is currently making an effort to adapt to the way of life in Nepal.