Adult Literacy Beginner Quiz: Simple Present Tense
10 questions · exam conditions
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Simple Present TenseQuestion 1 of 10

Leo drinks coffee each morning. He never drinks tea.

Which sentence correctly describes Leo's routine?

Leo does not drink tea.
Leo does not drinks tea.
Leo do not drink tea.
Leo is not drink tea.
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Adult Literacy Beginner Quiz

Adult Literacy Beginner Quiz: Simple Present Tense

Practice Simple Present Tense in Adult Literacy Beginner with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Simple Present Tense, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult Literacy Beginner.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Leo drinks coffee each morning. He never drinks tea.

Which sentence correctly describes Leo's routine?

  1. Leo does not drink tea. (correct answer)
  2. Leo does not drinks tea.
  3. Leo do not drink tea.
  4. Leo is not drink tea.
Explanation: When describing someone's habits or routines, English requires the verb to match the subject — this is called subject-verb agreement. For negative statements, you also need the correct helping verb ("do" or "does") paired with the base form of the main verb. Answer A — "Leo does not drink tea" — is correct. "Leo" is a singular third-person subject (like "he"), so the helping verb must be "does." When you use "does," the main verb stays in its base form: "drink," not "drinks." The structure is: Subject + does not + base verb. Answer B — "Leo does not drinks tea" — uses "does" correctly but then adds an -s to "drink," making it "drinks." That's a double-marking error. Once "does" carries the third-person singular signal, the main verb should not also carry it. Answer C — "Leo do not drink tea" — uses "do" instead of "does." "Do" is used with plural subjects or with "I/you" (e.g., "They do not drink"). Since Leo is a single person, "do" is the wrong helping verb here. Answer D — "Leo is not drink tea" — uses "is" as the helping verb, which would require a different sentence structure entirely (like "Leo is not drinking tea"). Mixing "is" with a plain base verb like "drink" creates a grammatically broken sentence. A helpful tip: whenever the subject is "he," "she," or a single person's name, always use "does not" for negatives, and keep the main verb in its simplest form — no -s, no -ing.

Question 2

Marta arrives before 8 on most workdays. About once a month, she arrives after 8.

Which sentence best states Marta's usual routine?

  1. Marta is usually arrive before 8.
  2. Marta arrives usually before 8.
  3. Marta usually arrive before 8.
  4. Marta usually arrives before 8. (correct answer)
Explanation: When a sentence describes someone's habit or routine, you need two things to work together correctly: the right verb form and the right word order. This question tests both at once. In English, when the subject is "she," "he," or any single person's name, a present-tense verb in a routine statement must end in -s. So "Marta arrives" is correct — not "Marta arrive." That rule alone eliminates two choices. The word "usually" is an adverb, and adverbs like it — "usually," "often," "always," "never" — belong directly before the main verb in most English sentences. So the correct structure is: subject + usually + verb. That gives you D: "Marta usually arrives before 8," which is both grammatically correct and naturally phrased. Looking at the wrong answers: A ("Marta is usually arrive before 8") adds the word "is" incorrectly, creating a broken verb structure — you can't combine "is" and "arrive" that way in standard English. B ("Marta arrives usually before 8") puts "usually" in the wrong spot — placing it after the verb sounds awkward and unnatural, even if speakers sometimes do it casually. C ("Marta usually arrive before 8") is close, but drops the required -s ending — "arrive" should be "arrives" because the subject is Marta (she). A useful tip: when you see answer choices that all look similar, compare them piece by piece — verb ending first, then word order. Those two details catch most grammar errors on questions like this.

Question 3

Kim closes the store each night. First, she counts the cash. Then, she locks the door.

Which sentence correctly describes both parts of Kim's routine?

  1. Kim count the cash and locks the door.
  2. Kim counts the cash and locks the door. (correct answer)
  3. Kim counts the cash and lock the door.
  4. Kim does counts the cash and locks the door.
Explanation: When a sentence has one subject doing two things, both verbs need to match that subject. This question tests subject-verb agreement — making sure the verb form fits the subject "Kim" (she/he/it), which requires an -s ending on present-tense verbs. "Kim" is a singular subject, so her verbs need the singular present-tense form: "counts" and "locks." Answer B — Kim counts the cash and locks the door — gets both verbs right. It matches the passage and follows proper grammar throughout. Here's where the other choices go wrong. Choice A uses "count" instead of "counts," which is the plural or base form — correct for "they count," but not for "Kim counts." Choice C makes the opposite mistake on the second verb: "counts" is correct, but "lock" drops the -s it needs, giving you "Kim...lock the door," which doesn't agree with a singular subject. Choice D adds "does" before "counts," creating the awkward phrase "does counts" — you can say "does count" (base form after does) or just "counts," but never "does counts." That double-verb construction is a grammar error. A helpful trick: mentally replace the subject's name with "she" — if it sounds right, you have the correct form. "She counts the cash and locks the door" sounds natural, confirming B is correct. Whenever you see a question with two actions joined by "and," check both verbs to make sure they both agree with the subject. It's easy to catch the first verb and miss the second one.

Question 4

Omar opens the shop at 8 every day. Today, he opens at 10 because a worker fixes the door.

Which sentence states Omar's usual routine?

  1. Omar opens the shop at 8. (correct answer)
  2. Omar opens the shop at 10.
  3. Omar open the shop at 8.
  4. Omar is opening the shop at 8.
Explanation: When a question asks about someone's "usual routine," you're looking for a sentence that describes what normally or regularly happens — not what's happening right now or just today. The passage tells us two things: what Omar usually does (opens at 8) and what he's doing today (opens at 10 because of a special situation). Choice A, "Omar opens the shop at 8," is the correct answer. It uses simple present tense ("opens"), which in English describes habits and routines — things that happen regularly. The passage directly supports this as his normal schedule. Choice B is wrong because it says Omar opens at 10, which the passage tells us is only happening today due to the door being fixed — it's an exception, not his routine. Choice C looks similar to A, but notice the verb: "Omar open the shop at 8." This is a grammar error — with "Omar" (he/she/it), you must add an -s to the verb: opens, not open. Even if the content were right, this sentence is grammatically incorrect. Choice D, "Omar is opening the shop at 8," uses the present progressive tense (is + verb-ing), which describes something happening right now or temporarily. This tense would suggest Omar is in the middle of opening the shop at this moment — not that it's his regular habit. A quick tip: on questions about routines or habits, look for simple present tense (he opens, she works, it starts). If you see is + -ing, that signals a current or temporary action — not a routine.

Question 5

The company gives one ID badge to every worker. Workers put on the badge each workday.

Which sentence correctly states the daily rule?

  1. Each workers wear an ID badge.
  2. Each worker wear an ID badge.
  3. Each worker wears an ID badge. (correct answer)
  4. Each worker wears two ID badges.
Explanation: When a sentence uses the word "each," it always refers to one person or thing at a time — even if many people are involved. That means the subject is singular, and a singular subject needs a singular verb. In English, singular verbs in the present tense usually end in -s (for example, "runs," "walks," "wears"). Choice C — Each worker wears an ID badge — is correct. "Each worker" is singular, so the verb "wears" (with the -s ending) matches it properly. The meaning also lines up with the passage: one badge per worker, every workday. Choice A, Each workers wear an ID badge, has two errors. First, "workers" is plural, but "each" requires a singular noun. Second, "wear" (without the -s) is a plural verb, so nothing in this sentence agrees correctly. Choice B, Each worker wear an ID badge, fixes the noun but keeps the plural verb "wear." Because "each worker" is singular, the verb must be "wears," not "wear." Choice D, Each worker wears two ID badges, uses the right subject-verb form, but the meaning is wrong — the passage clearly states workers receive one badge, not two. A handy tip to remember: whenever you see "each," "every," "everyone," or "everything," treat the subject as singular and make sure the verb ends in -s. A quick test is to mentally replace the subject with "he" or "she" — if "he wears" sounds right, then "each worker wears" is right too.

Question 6

Nina takes the 7 o'clock bus. I take the same bus with her each workday.

Which sentence correctly describes our routine?

  1. Nina and I take the bus at 7. (correct answer)
  2. Nina and I takes the bus at 7.
  3. Nina and I are take the bus at 7.
  4. Nina and I taking the bus at 7.
Explanation: When a sentence has two subjects joined by "and," you need a verb that matches a plural subject. Think of it this way: "Nina and I" means two people, so the verb must agree with more than one person. Answer A — "Nina and I take the bus at 7" — is correct. The verb "take" works perfectly here because it matches a plural subject. When you say "they take" or "we take," you don't add an "-s." Since "Nina and I" means the same as "we," the plain form "take" is the right choice. Answer B uses "takes," which is wrong because that form belongs to a singular subject — one person, like "she takes" or "he takes." Adding "-s" to the verb actually makes it singular, which clashes with two people ("Nina and I"). Answer C — "are take" — is incorrect because it mixes two verb forms that can't work together that way. "Are" is a helping verb that pairs with words like "taking," not with "take." Putting "are" before "take" creates a grammatical error that doesn't exist in English. Answer D — "Nina and I taking" — is missing the main helping verb needed to make this a complete sentence. "Taking" alone can't carry the sentence; you'd need "are taking" to make it work. A quick tip to remember: whenever you see "and" connecting two subjects, mentally replace them with "we" and ask yourself what verb sounds right. "We takes" sounds wrong; "we take" sounds right — and that points you straight to A.

Question 7

A clerk wants to know if you come to the clinic every month.

Which question should the clerk ask?

  1. Do you visit the clinic every month? (correct answer)
  2. Does you visit the clinic every month?
  3. Do you visits the clinic every month?
  4. Are you visit the clinic every month?
Explanation: When forming a yes/no question in English, you need to use a helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) before the subject. For questions about habits or regular actions, the helping verb is either do or does — and choosing the right one depends on who you're asking about. When the subject is "you," the correct helping verb is do. After "do you," the main verb stays in its base form — the simple, unchanged version of the word. So the correct question is: "Do you visit the clinic every month?" — which is answer A. The subject is "you," the helping verb is "do," and "visit" is the base form of the verb. This follows the rule perfectly. Choice B ("Does you visit...") is wrong because does is only used with third-person singular subjects like he, she, or it — never with "you." Choice C ("Do you visits...") makes a different mistake: after "do," the verb must stay in its base form, so "visits" (which adds an -s) is incorrect. Choice D ("Are you visit...") confuses two different sentence structures entirely — "are" is used for continuous actions ("Are you visiting?"), not for simple yes/no questions with a base verb. A helpful tip to remember: with "you," always use do, and keep the main verb in its plain base form. Watch out for answer choices that swap in does or add an -s to the verb — those are the most common traps on grammar questions like this one.

Question 8

Sal works in the kitchen. Dana works at the front desk. Sal tells a new worker about his job.

Which sentence can Sal say about himself?

  1. I are in the kitchen.
  2. I am at the front desk.
  3. I is in the kitchen.
  4. I am in the kitchen. (correct answer)
Explanation: When a question asks you to pick what someone can "say about himself," you need to check two things: Is the information true about that person? And is the grammar correct? Start with the facts. The passage tells you Sal works in the kitchen — not at the front desk. That already rules out choice B, which says "I am at the front desk." That's Dana's job, not Sal's, so Sal simply cannot say that truthfully. Now look at the grammar. In English, the verb "to be" changes depending on who is speaking. When you use the word "I," the only correct form is am — as in "I am." Choice A uses "I are," which is never correct in English. "Are" is used with "you," "we," or "they" — never with "I." Choice C uses "I is," which is also wrong. "Is" pairs with "he," "she," or "it" — again, not "I." That leaves choice D: "I am in the kitchen." The subject is "I," the verb is "am" (the correct match), and the location matches what the passage says about Sal. Every part is right — the facts and the grammar. Choice D is the correct answer. A helpful tip to remember: the verb "to be" has three present-tense forms — am, is, are — and each one goes with specific subjects. Pin this down: I → am, he/she/it → is, you/we/they → are. Keeping this chart in your head will help you catch grammar errors quickly on questions like this one.

Question 9

A store label says: "A box of masks: five dollars."

Complete the sentence: A box of masks   five dollars.

  1. costing five dollars.
  2. cost five dollars.
  3. costs five dollars. (correct answer)
  4. are costing five dollars.
Explanation: When a sentence has a subject and a verb, they must agree — meaning a singular subject needs a singular verb. This question is testing subject-verb agreement, so your first step is to identify who or what the sentence is about. The subject here is "a box of masks." Even though "masks" is plural, the true subject is "a box" — one box. Because the subject is singular, you need a singular verb to match it. The correct answer is C: costs five dollars. The verb "costs" is the singular present-tense form, which correctly matches the singular subject "a box." Think of it this way: you would say "She costs five dollars" — not "She cost" or "She are costing." The same rule applies here. A is wrong because "costing" without a helping verb cannot work as the main verb in a sentence. "A box of masks costing five dollars" is an incomplete thought — it leaves the reader waiting for the rest. B is wrong because "cost" (without an -s) is the plural form used with subjects like "they" or "the masks." Since your subject is singular ("a box"), this doesn't agree. D is wrong on two counts: "are" is a plural helping verb, and "are costing" is an awkward, unnatural construction for stating a price. We simply don't say things "are costing" when describing a label or price tag. A handy tip: when you see a phrase like "a box of  ," always go back to the word before "of" — that's your real subject, and it controls the verb.

Question 10

The clinic has a pharmacy. The lab has a waiting room.

Which sentence gives the correct fact about the clinic?

  1. The clinic have a pharmacy.
  2. The clinic has a pharmacy. (correct answer)
  3. The clinic has a waiting room.
  4. The clinic is have a pharmacy.
Explanation: When a question asks you to find the "correct fact" about a subject, you need to check two things: Is the information true based on the passage? And is the grammar correct? Start with the passage. It tells you two things: the clinic has a pharmacy, and the lab has a waiting room. Keep those details straight — they'll be important. Choice B, "The clinic has a pharmacy," matches the passage exactly and uses correct grammar. The subject "the clinic" is singular (one clinic), so it pairs with the verb has. This is the right answer. Choice A, "The clinic have a pharmacy," gets the fact right but uses the wrong verb form. With a singular subject like "the clinic," you must use has, not have. You would say "They have a pharmacy," but "The clinic has a pharmacy." Choice C, "The clinic has a waiting room," uses correct grammar, but the fact is wrong. The passage says the lab has a waiting room, not the clinic. Even a perfectly written sentence is incorrect if it gives you false information. Choice D, "The clinic is have a pharmacy," is grammatically broken. You cannot combine "is" and "have" together like that. The correct phrasing uses just one verb: has. A good study tip: on questions like this, always eliminate answer choices with grammar errors first, then check the remaining choices against the passage for accuracy. This two-step filter — grammar, then facts — helps you move efficiently and avoid traps like Choice C, which sounds correct but sneaks in the wrong detail.