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      Wer ist Bella? Was macht sie? Present tense verbs, yes/ no questions

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can differentiate simple present and present continuous in German when asking and answering questions.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. There is just one present tense in German.
      2. Time adverbs help to translate German present tense accurately.
      3. Subject and verb swap to make yes/no questions in German.

      Keywords

      • Simple present - describes habitual events in the present: 'I do'

      • Present continuous - describes events happening right now: 'I am doing'

      Common misconception

      German forms the present continuous tense by using sein with a verb e.g. "ich bin spielen" to say "I am playing".

      German only has one present tense and does not use sein with a verb.

      Teacher tip

      In cycle one, allow pupils ample time to discuss which verb rules they can remember and recognise in the text, as this will activate their prior knowledge.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What do these German words mean in English?

      Correct Answer:heißen,to be called

      to be called

      Correct Answer:reden,to talk

      to talk

      Correct Answer:kommen,to come

      to come

      Correct Answer:wohnen,to live

      to live

      Correct Answer:Mensch!,wow!

      wow!

      Q2.
      The verbs kommen, reden and wohnen are all in the form.

      Correct Answer: infinitive

      Q3.
      The correct third person form of the verb 'reden' is:

      redt
      Correct answer: redet

      Q4.
      What do these adverbs of time mean in English?

      Correct Answer:heute,today

      today

      Correct Answer:jetzt,now

      now

      Correct Answer:im Moment,at the moment

      at the moment

      Correct Answer:normalerweise,normally

      normally

      Correct Answer:jeden Tag,every day

      every day

      Correct Answer:nie,never

      never

      Q5.
      Which English sentence uses the present continuous?

      Correct answer: I am speaking with a friend.
      I spoke with a friend.
      I speak with a friend.

      Q6.
      Which English sentence uses the present simple?

      I will go to Germany.
      Correct answer: I go to Germany.
      I am going to Germany.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What do these German words mean in English?

      Correct Answer:Kunde,customer (m)

      customer (m)

      Correct Answer:Kundin,customer (f)

      customer (f)

      Correct Answer:besitzen,to own, have

      to own, have

      Correct Answer:Heimat,home, homeland

      home, homeland

      Correct Answer:eigentlich,actual, real, actually, really

      actual, real, actually, really

      Correct Answer:Maschine,machine

      machine

      Q2.
      What is the correct ending for the sentence 'Sie will eine Maschine __________?

      besitzt
      besitze
      Correct answer: besitzen

      Q3.
      'Miauen' is a regular verb in the present tense and means 'to miaow'. How would you say 'she miaows' in German?

      Correct Answer: Sie miaut

      Q4.
      The phrases below are missing punctuation. Are they questions or statements?

      Correct Answer:Spricht der Kunde mit die Kundin,Question

      Question

      Correct Answer:Der Kunde spricht mit die Kundin,Statement

      Statement

      Q5.
      What is the correct translation for 'Ich rede heute mit einer Maschine'?

      Correct answer: I am talking with a machine.
      I talk with a machine.

      Q6.
      What is the correct translation for 'Wohnst du normalerweise in Deutschland'?

      Correct answer: Do you live in Germany?
      Are you living in Germany?

      To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Wer ist Bella? Was macht sie? Present tense verbs, yes/ no questions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...