Present continuous

1
Present continuous
1
Reading Text-(Pronunciation/Accent Practice)

• Student Loans
• When I was going to college back in the 1970s,
  it was sometime before I realized what I really
  wanted to do.
• Well, actually I wanted to be among the idle
  rich, but that didnt seem to be a viable option.
  What I didnt want to do was come out of school
  owing a vast debt. So I prolonged my education,
  took time off to work and save money so I could
  pay as I went. Im not sure that I would do it
  that way again. Actually, I am not sure if I
  could do so today, even if I wanted to. Education
  costs more now, and there arent as many good
  paying summer jobs, or jobs at all, for that
  matter.
• Our national income has also slipped below the
  national average, and there is nothing
  coincidental about those two facts.

2
Present continuous
2
Reading Text-(Pronunciation/Accent Practice)

• The suspension of the MI-LOAN program may not
  seem important, but it will have a ripple effect.
  The hundreds of students who were counting on
  getting those loans will have to get the money
  from somewhere. Not many are likely to drop out
  of school, but a few might. And I am not utterly
  convinced that MI-LOAN is only an isolated local
  phenomenon.
• The U.S. government is projecting a record 400
  billion deficit this year, and a recession would
  make the deficit even bigger. What that means is
  that the government will suck up a lot of the
  money thats available for borrowing. That leaves
  only so much to go around.
• Our system of funding higher education is
  convoluted, confusing and often haphazard. Some
  people know how to work the system, or have
  parents who do.
• Others come up with the short end of the stick.
• It seems to me that our state government, in
  collaboration with the universities, should help
  identify worthy students and help educate them
  about all their various financial options,
  including loans. I think Michigan needs a
  rigorous supplemental loan program that is based
  not only on ability to pay, but on likelihood of
  contribution to society.

3
Vocabulary
3
Phrasal Verbs List
Verb Meaning Example
ask someone out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.
ask around ask many people the same question I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.
add up to something equal Your purchases add up to 205.32.
back something up reverse You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out.
back someone up support My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job.
blow up explode The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence.
blow something up add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine) Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm.
break down get upset The woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died.
break something down divide into smaller parts Our teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts.
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Present continuous
4

• The present continuous is used to talk about
  present situations which we see as short-term or
  temporary. We use the present simple to talk
  about present situations which we see as
  long-term or permanent.

In these examples, the action is taking place at
the time of speaking. 1. It's raining. 2. Who
is Kate talking to on the phone? 3. Look,
somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet.
4. I'm not looking. My eyes are closed tightly.
In these examples, the action is true at the
present time but we don't think it will be true
in the long term. 1. I'm looking for a new
apartment. 2. He's thinking about leaving his
job. 3. They're considering making an appeal
against the judgment. 4. Are you getting enough
sleep?
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Present continuous
5
In these examples, the action is at a definite
point in the future and it has already been
arranged. 1. I'm meeting her at 6.30. 2. They
aren't arriving until Tuesday. 3. We are having
a special dinner at a top restaurant for all the
senior managers. 4. Isn't he coming to the
dinner?
6
Present continuous
6
Mix and Match

• Whos she talking to?
• Shall we go for a walk?
• Im looking for my bag?
• What is she wearing?
• Is anyone sitting here?
• Wheres Tom?
• Ill be ready in few minutes.
• Im getting tired.

• No, no. sit down.
• Have you seen it?
• No, Its still raining.
• Oh, Thats her brother.
• Hes smoking a cigarette outside.
• I think Ill go to bed.
• I dont but it doesnt suit her.
• Im just brushing my hair.