🎭Present Perfect Continuous Situation Quiz

🎯B2 Level ESL Quiz

💡This quiz tests your ability to identify the correct Present Perfect Continuous sentence for each situation. Remember:

  • Use Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize the duration and ongoing nature of an action
  • This tense shows that an action started in the past and continues to now, or has just finished with visible results

⏱️Read each situation carefully and choose the best sentence!

1️⃣Question 1
📖Situation:
Lucy looks very tired. There are empty coffee cups on her desk.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: Lucy has been studying all night.
💭The visible results (tiredness and empty coffee cups) show that the continuous activity of studying has just finished, so we use Present Perfect Continuous.
2️⃣Question 2
📖Situation:
It started snowing this morning, and the ground is still white.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: It has been snowing all morning.
💭The action started this morning and continues to the present moment with visible evidence (white ground), so Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the ongoing duration.
3️⃣Question 3
📖Situation:
Tom's clothes are dirty and his face is sweaty. He just came back from the park.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: Tom has been playing football.
💭The physical evidence (dirty clothes and sweaty face) shows the recent continuous activity, making Present Perfect Continuous the best choice.
4️⃣Question 4
📖Situation:
Maria started her new job in January. It's October now, and she's still there.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: Maria has been working at the company since January.
💭Since the action started in January and is still continuing, Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the ongoing duration of her employment.
5️⃣Question 5
📖Situation:
The children are wet, and there are puddles outside.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: The children have been playing in the rain.
💭The visible evidence (wet children and puddles) indicates a recent continuous activity, so Present Perfect Continuous is the best choice.
6️⃣Question 6
📖Situation:
John is covered in paint. There are brushes and open cans all around the room.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: John has been painting the walls.
💭The physical evidence (paint on John, brushes and cans everywhere) shows the recent continuous activity of painting, requiring Present Perfect Continuous.
7️⃣Question 7
📖Situation:
Emma started reading a novel two hours ago. She's still reading it now.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: Emma has been reading for two hours.
💭The action started two hours ago and is still continuing at the present moment, so Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the ongoing activity.
8️⃣Question 8
📖Situation:
Paul looks exhausted. He just got back from the gym.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: Paul has been exercising.
💭The visible result (exhaustion) from a recent continuous activity at the gym makes Present Perfect Continuous the correct choice.
9️⃣Question 9
📖Situation:
The ground is muddy, and the children's boots are dirty.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: They have been playing outside.
💭The visible evidence (muddy ground and dirty boots) shows the recent continuous outdoor activity, requiring Present Perfect Continuous.
🔟Question 10
📖Situation:
Sarah started practicing the piano when she was five. She still practices today.
Which sentence best describes the situation?
Correct Answer: Sarah has been practicing the piano since she was five.
💭The action started when she was five and continues to the present day, so Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the long-term ongoing activity.

Great job completing the quiz! Review the explanations above to understand any mistakes.