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When working from home


Lesson goals Students can differentiate between the use of Present Simple and
Present Continuous.

Students can describe habits and routines.

1 Warm-up
Exercise 1: In teams of 3-4 people, sort the statements into two groups:
advantages and disadvantages. Can you think of more? Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of working from home with the class.

Needs self-discipline and motivatio

2 Reading
Exercise 2: Read the story about Jack. Highlight the verbs in Present Simple
and Present Continuous. Do you sometimes have days like Jack’s?

Jack works from home. Usually, he wakes up at 7 o'clock and drinks a cup of coffee. He turns on his
computer and starts working. Sometimes, he takes a break to stretch his legs or open the window
near his desk. He likes to hear the cars outside.

But today, everything is going wrong. The internet isn't working! Jack is trying to fix it but nothing is
helping. He decides to take a break and go for a walk. When he comes back, his neighbours are
painting the walls and the smell is making him dizzy. He can't concentrate on his work anymore.

He wants to call his boss to explain the situation, but his phone battery dies. What a day! He decides
to make another coffee and try to relax. But when he is making it, he spills it all over his laptop! Now
he can't work at all.

In the end, Jack just gives up and goes to bed early. What a disaster of a day!

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3 Grammar practice

Exercise 3: Complete the dialogue using the following verbs:

turns / aren’t painting / are beeping / drink / chat / isn’t working

is helping / are painting / work / isn’t going

Jack: Hi, Dave. I'm upset.

Dave: What's up?

Jack: I wanted to work from my house today but it _____(1) well.

Dave: Why? What happened?

Jack: The internet _____(2). It _____(3) off and on all the time, which makes me crazy.

Dave: That's bad. Can you do anything about it?

Jack: I called tech support, but nothing _____(4). And also, my neighbours _____(5) their walls, so the

smell is too strong.

Dave: Oh no. 

Jack: And to make things worse, while taking sugar from the shelf, I spilled my coffee all over myself!

Dave: That's bad luck.

Jack: Yeah, and cars _____(6) outside because of a traffic jam. I opened the window near my desk because

it is hot inside, but now the noise is very loud.

Dave: Wow, that sounds really hard. Usually, when you _____(7) from home it's great because you're

comfortable.

Jack: Yes, usually! But sometimes unexpected things happen and ruin your plans. I wish I went to the office

where I always _____(8) coffee and usually _____(9) before starting work.

Dave: Well, maybe there is something else you can do. You could go for a walk or get some fresh air, then

come back after lunch when your neighbours _____(10).

Jack: Hmm...yes, that might work. Thanks for your help, Dave.

Exercise 4: Open the brackets to complete the sentences. Use Present Simple

or Present Continuous.

1. She always ___________ (turn on) the light when she enters the room.

2. He never___________ (turn off) the internet when he leaves his house.

3. My boss ___________ (work) from home today due to the bad weather.

4. I always ___________ (wake up) early so I have more time in the morning.

5. Please be quiet, my little sister ___________ (sleep) now.

6. John is a hard worker and___________ (not take) a break during the day.

7. I usually ___________ (drink) coffee but today I'm having tea instead.

8. The IT specialist ___________ (try) to fix the company's server problem at the moment.

9. Jane is very careful, she seldom ___________ (spill) her coffee.

10. Many people ___________ (work) from home these days.

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4 Speaking

Exercise 5: Describe the pictures. Use this structure:

He usually but today

She always but this week

They never but now

Example: He usually drinks tea but today he is drinking coffee.

Now make the same sentences about yourself. How is your day different?

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Correct answers and teaching tips

Exercise 1: In teams of 3-4 people, sort the statements into two groups:

advantages and disadvantages.Can you think of more? Discuss the

advantages and disadvantages of working from home with the class.

Created in the “Lead-in activities” tool

Correct answers:

Advantages:

1. Gives more options in daily schedule

2. Allows working from a comfortable place

3. Helps concentrate better

Disadvantages:

1. May not talk with coworkers or boss

enough

2. Needs self-discipline and motivation

3. Few chances for teamwork

Exercise 2: Read the story about Jack. Highlight the verbs in Present Simple

and Present Continuous. Do you sometimes have days like Jack’s?

Created in the “Create a text” tool, genre - “Fictional story”, level - Simple A1-A2

Exercise 3: Complete the dialogue using the following verbs:

Created in the “Create a dialogue” tool + “Fill in the gap” tool

Correct answers:

1. isn’t going

2. isn't working

3. turns

4. is helping

5. are painting

6. are beeping

7. work

8. drink

9. chat

10. aren't painting

Exercise 4: Open the brackets to complete the sentences. Use Present Simple

or Present Continuous.

Created in the “Open the brackets for verbs” tool

Correct answers:

1. turns on

2. turns off

3. is working

4. wake up 

5. is sleeping 

6. doesn't take

7. drink

8. is trying

9. spills 

10. work