PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

MEANING AND USE

COMPARE:

Susan and Carl live in Newark.
Susan and Carl are living in Newark. 

Weeds grow like wildfire.
Weeds are growing like wildfires (in my garden)

1. He is attending a meeting now Activity in progress.

2. I´m studying geology at the University of Colorado. Extended present.

3. Phyllis is living with her parents. A temporary situation.

4. Henry is kicking the soccer ball around the backyard. Repetition in a series of similar ongoing actions.

5. She´s coming tomorrow. Expresses future (when event is planned; usually with a future-time adverbial).

6. He´s always delivering in a clutch situation (approving). He´s forever acting up at these affairs (disapproving). Emotional comment on present habit (usually co- occurring with frequency adverbials always and usually).

7. She´s becoming more and more like her mother. A change in progress.

PRESENT SIMPLE/PRESENT CONTINUOUS

1.     A student arrived in Britain to study for a degree. He was asked to write a journal of his experiences, in English, by his English tutor. Which of the following comes from his journal?

(i)           It takes time for me to get used to British English.

(ii)          It´s taking time for me to get used to British English.

2.    This speaker is talking about the Health Service. Choose between present simple and present continuous for each verb.

(a)  People (live) longer; and treatment (get) more expensive.

(b) It (cost) thousands of pounds to give people heart surgery.

(c)  More and more people (buy) private health insurance, because, if you (suffer), you can´t wait even a short time.

3.    Choose the correct verb form to complete the gaps.

(a)  If you don´t have too much to do (think) that Christmas can be quite magical. You know, especially if you (spend) it with children.

(b) If you (earn) a hundred pound and your basic rate of tax is twenty three per cent and they put it up to twenty five you (still) (pay) two pence. The only thing is that the more you (earn) in the long run you´ll pay a bigger slice because you´re earning more. But you afford to pay more.

(c)  Mary:         Sometimes I think, `Oh my goodness´ when I talk to some

                   of these other divisional managers they seem to know every

                single thing that (go) on in their divisions.´

Marianne:  Yeah.

Mary:       Er and when I (feel) particularly vulnerable it makes me (feel)

               uneasy.

Marianne:  Yeah.

present perfect

I- Match the two halves of these sentences.

(1)   My little brother started school                (a) all day

(2)  The Prime Minister hasn´t been abroad     (b) when he was six

(3)   I caught a cold                                          (c) in the 19^th century                                                                                                   

(4)  My father has been asleep in bed              (d) since January

(5)  The Red Cross started                              (e) several minutes ago

(6)  The dentist has asked us to wait               (f) when we went out in the rain

(7)  The last bus left                                       (g) for a few minutes

II- Choose the correct form of the verbs.

(1)   My sister has been/was interested in Medicine ever since she has been/was a child.

(2)  How long have you studied/did you study before you have qualified/qualified?

(3)  Where have you first met/did you first meet your husband?

(4)  Is this the first time you´ve cooked/you cooked pasta?

(5)  We have wanted/wanted to go to the theater last night, but there haven´t been/weren´t any seats.

(6)  Oh, dear. What can we do? I´m sure something dreadful has happened/happened; we´ve been waiting/we waited over an hour and he hasn´t/hasn´t been phoning yet.

(7)  We have posted/posted the parcel three weeks ago. If you still haven´t received/didn´t receive it, please inform us immediately.     

III- Alex wants to go to an art college and is being interviewed by Tom Smith,

     one of the lecturers. Complete the questions which Tom asks him.  Read

     the whole conversation before you start.

Tom: Right, Alex, let´s find out something about you. You´ve obviously not a

        teenager, so when (1)…………………………..school?

Alex: Five years ago, actually.

Tom: And where (2) ………………………………..since then?

Alex: Well, I´ve had several jobs.

Tom: What (3)…………………………………first?

Alex: I worked in a café for about a year. I needed to save some money.

Tom: Why (4)………………………………….money?

Alex: I wanted to travel a bit before I started studying.

Tom: Where (5) …………………………………………to go?

Alex: Well, the Middle East, Latin America, Australia –

Tom: Good Lord! And (6) ………………………………………..all those places?

Alex: No, not yet. I´ve been to Brazil and Peru so far. And I spent some months in Turkey.

Tom: What (7)……………………………………………….there?

Alex: I stayed with some friends near Izmir. It was wonderful.

Tom: You´re very lucky. And now you want to come to college. (8)………………………………

        Some pictures to show me?

Alex: Um, yes. I have a portfolio here.

Tom: Where (9)……………………………………..this work?

Alex: Mostly in Turkey.

Tom: Why (10)…………………………………………..any in South America?

Alex: I didn´t have time really. And I was travelling light, I just did some pencil

        sketches.

Tom: (11)…………………………………………………….them here with you?

Alex: They´re at the back of the portfolio.

Tom: Well, Alex, I´m very impressed. When (12) ………………………………interested in

        painting and drawing?

Alex: I think I always have been.

Tom: I can believe that. Will you come with me? I want to show this work to my

        colleagues right away.

Alex: Of course. Thank you very much.

IV- Fill the gaps in these sentences with a suitable verb. Use either the present

      perfect or past simple.

(1)   Bill ………………………………away from work all this week.

(2)  Glenda ……………………………..hard when she was a student.

(3)  Pippa ………………………………….rather unfriendly recently.

(4)  Eric…………………………………….the door before I rang the bell.

(5)  How long ………………………………………Neil………………………………..his present job?

(6)  ……………………………………..Tina……………………………………her parents since she got married?

(7)  Why …………………………………you ………………………………your coat on? It´s not cold.

(8)  Jock ……………………………………to me about his problems last night.

(9)  Fred……………………..his map. We´ll have to go back for it.

(10) Jane ………………………………………..more money in her last job, but she enjoys this one more.

V- Read the following passage and put the verbs in the correct form: present perfect or past simple.

Then and now


TWENTY YEARS ago few people (1) …………….(realize) that computers were about to become part of our daily lives. This short period of time (2)…………………………(see) enormous changes, in business, education and public administration. Jobs which (3)………………………(take) weeks to complete in the past, are now carried out in minutes. Clerks who (4)…………………………..(spend) all day copying and checking calculations are now freed from these tedious tasks. In offices, the soft hum and clicking of word processors (5)……………………………….(replace) the clatter of typewriters. Schoolchildren (6)………………………….(become) familiar with hardware and software as their parents (7)……………………………(be) with pencils and exercise books. Computerisation of public records (8)……………………………….(enable) government departments to analyse the needs of citizens in detail. Some of us may wonder, however, whether life (9) …………………………….(really/improve) as a result of these changes. Many jobs (10)……………………..(disappear), for the example, when intelligent machines (11) ……………………….(take) over the work. Employers complain that clerical staff (12) ………………….(become) dependent on calculators and cannot do simple arithmetic, There are fears that governments (13)…………………………………(not/do) enough to ensure personal information held on computers is really kept secret. Certainly, many people may now be wondering whether the spread of computers (14)…………………..(bring) us as many problems as it (15)…………………………..(solve).

Present and continuos

I-            Suggest a verb to complete each sentence. Use the simple present or the present continuous. Use √ to add any words outside the space, as in the example.

1.     Even though Sarah says she´s feeling better, I think she √is still losing weight.

2.    Frank ....................stamps in his spare time. It´s a hobby.

3.    The airline currently ………………..half-price tickets to Japan, but for one month only.

4.    My mother…………………….all the doors and windows before she goes to bed.

5.    Because of the present threat of war, the best qualified people …………………

the country.

6.    Both ancient and recent records show that farmers……………………long hours.

7.    She has an important project to finish by next week, so she ………………………

in the evenings at present.

8.    Philip is an excellent linguist. He ………………………..six languages fluently.
9. ´How are you getting on with the book? ´At the moment I ………………………….chapter four.´
10. Here we are in India again. We……in………….. a very comfortable small hotel.

II- Complete these texts with one of these sets of verbs, using each verb once only. Choose either the present simple or present continuous for all the missing verbs in each text. Use √ to add any words outside the spaces.

     say/tell/do       talk/threaten/negotiate          recommend/warn/apologise

   spend/recover/find                         suggest/hope/promise.

1.     She only just ……………………….from the operation and still …………………….it difficult to move about. At the moment she ……………………..most of her time in bed.

2.    What I ………………..is that you…………………well in your job. Really! I …………………..you the truth.

3.    I…………………….I´ll do everything I can to help you find a flat, although I ………………………that you also advertise in the local newspaper. It can be difficult to find accommodation, but I …………………………….it won´t be too long before you´ve got somewhere.

4.    The fishing unions …………………………with their employers for a pay rise. If there is no agreement by next week, they ………………………….to strike and even………………………………..about blockading ports around the country.

5.    I ………………………………for the delay in replying to your letter. To place an order for the book you require, I ……………………………………that you telephone Mrs Jones is our sales department. I …………………………….you, however, that delivery time is likely to be about six weeks.

III-      Complete the sentences with the verbs given, using the present continuous or the simple present. If both are possible write them both, and consider the difference in meaning. Use √ to add any words outside the place.

1.     ´Shall I phone at 6.00?´ ´No, we normally …………………………….dinner at that time.´ (cook)

2.    Since I won the lottery, my telephone hasn´t stopped ringing. People ……………………………to ask how I´m going to spend the money. (phone)

3.    Alice …………………………….her mother in London most weekends. (see)

4.    We usually ………………………………at about 7.00. Couldn´t you come an hour later? (get up)

5.    I ………………………………..swimming in the evenings to try to lose weight. (go)

  

PRESENT SIMPLE/PRESENT CONTINUOUS

1.     Underline the  correct  form:

(a)  Some kinds of fish contain/are containing high levels of dangerous metals.

(b) Scientists nowadays slowly begin to understand /are slowly beginning to understand more about how the brain works.

(c)  What do you think/are you thinking of Kate´s new hairstyle? It´s unusual, isn´t it?

(d) Loud music can be really annoying. Some people don´t realize/aren´t realizing what a nuisance it can be.

(e)  You can´t really have seen a UFO! You imagine/are imagining things!

(f)  Technicians report that they have/are having difficulty installing the new computer system.

(g)  No wine for me! I take/am taking antibiotics for an ear infection.

(h) In career terms, having a good degree appears/is appearing to make little difference.

(i)   The National Theater considers/is considering putting on a new production of Uncle Vanya.

(j)  Does this wallet belong/Is this wallet belonging to you?

2.    Put the verbs in brackets into present simple or present continuous.

(a)  Somebody (knock) ……………………………………….at the door. Can you see who it is?

(b) First you (cook)…………………………………………..the onions in a little oil until they

are golden.

     (c) Carlos (forever lose) …………………………………………..his temper with people! He

          must learn to calm down.

(d) Here (come)………………………………………..the bus! You´d better hurry!

(e)  ´Where´s Jack?´ ´He (read) ………………………………………….the paper in the kitchen.´

(f)  Whenever I put up my hand, Harry (kick) …………………………………….me under the table.

(g)  I´m sorry, but I (not understand) ……………………………………..you.

(h) Maria (leave)………………………………………………..now, so could you get her coat?

(i)   Come and eat your dinner. It (get)……………………………………….cold.

(j)  I (hear) …………………………………..You did really well in your exams. Well done!

ENTREVISTA EM INGLÊS (SITUAÇÕES À BORDO)

Para complementar seus estudos para a seleção em inglês em companhias aéreas, elaboramos abaixo algumas perguntas sobre situações que possam ocorrer na rotida do comissário de voo.

1. A DRUNK PASSENGER IS DISTURBING THE OTHERS. THERE ARE OTHER EMPTY SEATS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
2. SUPPOSE THE SAME THING HAPPENS, BUT THERE´S NO EMPTY SEAT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
3. THE SEAT IS BROKEN AND THE PASSENGER CAN´T MOVE IT. THERE ISN´T ANY OTHER FREE SEAT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
4. A PASSENGER BOARDS WITH HIS OR HER PET. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
5. A PASSANGER BOARDS WITH A WRONG-SIZED SUITCASE.WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
6. A DIZZY (SICK) PASSENGER ASKS FOR HELP. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
7. A PASSENGER IS AFRAID OF TURBULENCES. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
8. A PASSENGER EATS AND ASKS FOR A SECOND HELPING, BUTTHERE´S NO EXTRA FOOD. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
9. THE SAME THINGS HAPPENS, BUT THERE´S SOME FOOD LEFT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
10. YOU DROP THE TRAY WITH THE MEAL OVER A PASSENGER. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
11. A PASSENGER CAN´T EAT ANY OF THE FOOD ON BOARD. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
12. A MOTHER ASKS FOR BABY FOOD. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
13. A MOTHER ASKS FOR A FEEDING-BOTTLE. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
14. A PASSENGER TAKES THE WRONG SEATS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
15. TWO PASSENGERS HAVE THE SAME SEAT NUMBER. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
16. A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE FIRST CLASS ROW WITH A TOURIST TICKET. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
17. A PASSENGER IS SMOKING IN A NON-SMOKING AREA. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
18. YOU SPILLED WATER ON A PASSENGER. WHAT YOULD YOU DO?
19. YOU WILL HAVE TO RETURN, BECAUSE THE AIRPORT IS CLOSED. WHAT YOU SAY?
20. IN CASE OF CRASH FORCED LANDING. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
21. YOU HAVE TO GIVE INSTRUCTIONS IN AN EMERGENCY. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
22. IN CASE A DOCTOR IS REQUIRED. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
23. A PASSENGER IS STANDING WHERE IT´S NOT PERMITTED. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
24. A PASSENGER IS HAVING AN ARGUMENT WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
25 – A PASSENGER COMPLAINS ABOUT THE FOOD. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
26 – A PASSENGER ASKS YOU TO VISIT THE COCKPIT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
27 – A MOTHER ASKS FOR A PLACE TO CHANGE HER BABY´S DIAPER. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
28 – A PASSENGER VOMITS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
29 – A PASSENGER HAS A GUN AND POINTS IT AT YOU. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
30 – A PASSENGER WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS HITS HIS NEIGHBOUR. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
31 – A PASSENGER IS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND DISTUBING THE OTHJERS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
32 – A PASSENGER EATS, PUTS THE TRAY UNDER THE SEAT AND FALLS ASLEEP. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
33. A PASSENGER DIES BEFORE THE PLANE TAKES OFF. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
34. A PASSENGER DIES DURING THE FLIGHT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
35. A PASSENGER WANTS SOMETHING TO READ. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
36. THE PLANE IS ABOUT TO LAND AND A PASSENGER REFUSES TO PUT HIS SEAT BELT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
37. THE PLANE IS HAVING SERIOUS TECHNICAL PROBLEMS AND IT´S FALLING VERY FAST. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
38. THE CAPTAIN HAS MADE A SPEECH IN PORTUGUESE INFORMING THE PASSENGERS THAT DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS THE FLIGHT WILL HAVE TO DIVERT AND LAND AT GUARULHOS AIRPORT, NOT CONGONHAS, AND THAT AFTER THE LANDING THE GROUND STAFF WILL PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION AND THERE WILL BE A SHUTTLE BUS WAITING FOR THE PASSENGERS TO TAKE THEM TO CONGONHAS AIRPORT. YOU HAVE TO INFORM THIS TO A FOREIGN PASSENGER.
39. HOW WOULD YOU COMMUNICATE WITH A PASSENGER WHO SPOKE A LANGUAGE THAT NOBODY ON THE PLANE KNEW HOW TO SPEAK?


A dica é responder com sinceridade, lembrando das responsabilidades do comissário de voo em relação à segurança de voo, conforto e bem-estar dos passageiros e tripulação.

ENTREVISTA EM INGLÊS (PARTE 5)

Uma entrevista de emprego exige muito preparo, especialmente se a entrevista for realizada em outro idioma. Desse modo, aí está mais uma série de perguntas feitas em inglês na seleção para cargos dentro da aviação civil.


259 – WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A GOOD FLIGHT ATTENDANT?
260 – WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU WANT TO WORK AT ....(TAM, GOL, AZUL, EMIRATES, ETC..)
261 – WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN ORDER TO GET RICH?
262 – IF YOU WANT TO BECOME FAMOUS, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
263 – WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU ATE OUT?
264 – WHERE DID YOU GO?
265 – WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU READ A BOOK?
266 – WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP?
267 – WHAT TIME DID YOU HAVE BREAKFAST?
268 – WHAT TIME DID YOU GET HERE?
269 – HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO GET TO WORK?
270 – HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO EAT YOUR MEALS?
271 – HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO GET DRESSED?
272 – DOES IT TAKE YOU A LONG TIME TO TAKE A DECISION?
273 - DOES IT TAKE YOU A LONG TIME TO MAKE YOUR MIND TO DO SOMETHING?
274 – DO YOU HAVE PRESENCE OF MIND?
275 – WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE PRESENCE OF MIND?
276 – IF YOU HADN´T COME HERE TODAY, WHERE WOULD YOU HAVE YOU GONE?
277 – IF YOU HADN´T COME HERE TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?
278 – IF YOU HADN´T APPLIED FOR A JOB HERE, WHICH AIRLINE WOULD YOU HAVE CHOSEN?
279 – WHAT´S YOUR OPINION ABOUT OUR COUNTRY?
280 – WHAT ´S YOUR OPINION ABOUT OUR ECONOMY?
281 – DO YOU LIKE OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT?
282 – ARE YOU A RELIGIOUS PERSON?
283 – DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A RELIGIOUS PERSON?
284 – DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO CHURCH?
285 – HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO TO CHURCH?
286 – WHICH IS YOUR RELIGION?
287 – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT AIDS?
288 – ARE YOU AFRAID OF IT?
289 – DO YOU SMOKE?
290 – HOW MANY CIGARETTES DO YOU SMOKE A DAY?
291 – DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDICTION ?WHICH IS IT?
292 – DO YOU LIKE TO DRINK?


293 – WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?
294 – DO YOU LIKE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?
295 – WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?
296 – WHAT ARE YOU TERRIBLE AT?
297 – DO YOU LIKE TO GAMBLE?
298 – DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A GAMBLER?
299 – DO YOU USUALLY WIN OR LOSE MONEY?
300 – HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WIN?
301 – HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU LOSE?
302 – WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU LOSE MONEY?
303 – WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GAMBLE?
304 - WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GO ON WEEKENDS?
305 – WHERE DO YOU SPEND MOST OF YOUR WEEKENDS?
306 – WHERE DO MOST OF YOUR FRIENDS SPEND THEIR WEEKENDS?
307 – WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON WEEKENDS?
308 – WHAT DID YOU DO YESTERDAY?
309 – WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP TODAY?
310 – WHERE DID YOU SPEND LAST WEEKEND?
311 – HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO GET HERE TODAY?
312 – HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO TAKE A SHOWER THIS MORNING?
313 – HOW LONG DOES IT USUALLY TAKE YOU TO GET TO WORK?
314 – HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO DO SOMETHING?
315 – WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE INTERVIEW?


Com estas questões finalizados nossa série de perguntas realizadas em entrevistas de emprego em inglês para comissários de voo, atendentes de check-in, pilotos e outros cargos dentro da aviação civil.

No próximos artigo iremos publicar algumas situações que podem ser perguntadas em inglês para os candidatos.