SIMPLE PAST: For things that happened YESTERDAY, LAST WEEK, etc.
Examples: We WENT to the movies last night. DID you SPEAK to John yesterday? What DID you SEE, when you were in France? Who CAME to your party last night?
SIMPLE PRESENT: For things that happen USUALLY, ALWAYS, etc.
Examples: We GO to Burmuda every year. DOES Tom SPEAK Chinese? What DO you usually DO in the evening? Tobacco shops SELL stamps in France.
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE: For things that are happening NOW.
Examples: Tom IS SPEAKING to Janet now. I can't answer the phone - I'M HAVING a bath. IS Sue WAITING for us?
and in the NEAR FUTURE:
Examples: We ARE GOING to Las Vegas next week. What ARE YOU DOING next weekend? What ARE you READING now?
Mr. Newman _____ the bill and left.
is paying
paid
pays
Where _____ Michael live now?
does
did
is
Tom _____ his plane reservations yesterday.
made
is making
makes
Karen _____ the news on TV every night.
watch
watches
is watching
Gordon's not here. He _____ 2 hours ago.
leaves
is leaving
left
When I go to Boston, I _____ at the Plaza.
stayed
am staying
stay
There's Joe with his new car. He _____ it last week.
bought
is buying
buys
Mr. Newman _____ the form and gave it to the clerk.