Grade 4 English Language Arts — Is doing and was doing

Say what is happening now and what was happening earlier using am, is, are, was and were with an -ing verb.

Name: ________________________

1.Fill the gap with two words, using the verb given: They ____ (play) in the park right now.
2.The dogs ____ at the postbox when I walked past.
- a) was barking
- b) am barking
- c) were barking
- d) is barking
3.Sort each sentence by when it is happening.
Groups: Happening now · Was happening earlier
- He was mending his cycle.
- The baby was sleeping.
- They were waiting at the gate.
- I am writing a letter.
- She is baking a cake.
- We are eating our lunch.
4.Fill the gap with two words, using the verb given: I ____ (read) when the lights went out.
5.Which helping word goes with "I" for something happening now?
- a) were
- b) am
- c) are
- d) is
6.She ____ a picture at this moment.
- a) is drawing
- b) draws
- c) was drawing
- d) draw
7.Sort each verb by what happens to its spelling when you add -ing.
Groups: Double the last letter · Drop the e
- dance
- sit
- write
- swim
- run
- bake
8.In "The girls were singing loudly", which two words make the verb?
- a) singing loudly
- b) were singing
- c) girls were
- d) The girls

Answer key — Grade 4 English Language Arts — Is doing and was doing

1. are playing
2. c) were barking
3. She is baking a cake. → Happening now; They were waiting at the gate. → Was happening earlier; I am writing a letter. → Happening now; The baby was sleeping. → Was happening earlier; We are eating our lunch. → Happening now; He was mending his cycle. → Was happening earlier
4. was reading
5. b) am
6. a) is drawing
7. run → Double the last letter; write → Drop the e; sit → Double the last letter; dance → Drop the e; swim → Double the last letter; bake → Drop the e
8. b) were singing