Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use present simple, present progressive, present perfect and present perfect progressive.
Mr Brown is successful, quite successful. He's a manager. He 1 has been (be) a manager
for ten years now. He 2 (enjoy) being a manager very much. Mr Brown 3
(be)
a keen hiker too. He 4 (often go) hiking with his friend Mr Green. Actually, right
now they 5 (be) on a short hiking trip in the north of Scotland.
But Mr Brown's wife 6 (wait) for her husband to return because there are prob-
lems. Their only son Matthew, who had his 16th birthday last month, 7 (decide)
to leave school and join the army. He says he 8 (think) about it for a long time.
He 9-(want) to experience real life and do something useful, like fighting for his
country. Mrs Brown 10 (find) the army jobs too dangerous. Matthew's decision will
be a surprise for Mr Brown, too. He is the manager of an organisation that 11 (give)
help to child soldiers in Africa.
2. enjoys (enjoy) being a manager - We use the present simple tense "enjoys" to show a habitual action or a general truth. Mr Brown enjoys being a manager in general, and this is a regular or habitual feeling for him.
3. has been (be) - We use the present perfect tense "has been" to show that Mr Brown is a keen hiker and has been one for some time. This tense is used to talk about an action or a state that started in the past and continues to the present moment.
4. often goes (often go) - We use the present simple tense "often goes" to show a habitual or repeated action. Mr Brown often goes hiking with his friend Mr Green. This is something that happens regularly or repeatedly.
5. are (be) - We use the present progressive tense "are" to show an action happening at the present moment. Right now, Mr Brown and his friend Mr Green are on a short hiking trip in the north of Scotland.
6. is waiting (wait) - We use the present progressive tense "is waiting" to show an action happening at the present moment. Mr Brown's wife is waiting for her husband to return because there are problems.
7. has decided (decide) - We use the present perfect tense "has decided" to show that Matthew made the decision to leave school and join the army in the past, but the result of that decision is still relevant in the present. This tense is used to talk about an action or a state that started in the past and has a connection to the present moment.
8. has been thinking (think) - We use the present perfect progressive tense "has been thinking" to show that Matthew has been thinking about joining the army for a long time. This tense emphasizes the duration of the action or state.
9. wants (want) - We use the present simple tense "wants" to show a general desire or intention. Matthew wants to experience real life and do something useful, like fighting for his country. This is a general desire or intention he has.
10. finds (find) - We use the present simple tense "finds" to show a general opinion or perception. Mrs Brown finds the army jobs too dangerous. This is her general opinion about the army jobs.
11. gives (give) - We use the present simple tense "gives" to show a general action or habit. Mr Brown's organization gives help to child soldiers in Africa. This is something they do regularly or as a general action.