Simple Present “To Be” Quiz for ESL Beginners (A1–A2)
The simple present tense with the verb “to be” (am, is, are) is one of the first grammar topics ESL beginners learn. It’s important to master it because we use it to talk about who we are, where we are, and what something is.
In this post, you will:
- Learn the basic rules for am / is / are
- See simple examples so you can feel confident to build sentences yourself
- Practice with an interactive quiz video
- Download a free worksheet for extra practice
The quiz and worksheet were designed for ESL beginners (A1–A2).
What Is the “To Be” Verb in the Simple Present?
The verb “to be” changes form depending on the subject.
| Subject | “To be” Verb |
| I | am |
| You (singular) | are |
| He | is |
| She | is |
| It | is |
| We | are |
| You (plural) | are |
| They | are |
When Do We Use “To Be”?
We use am / is / are to talk about:
- Names and identity
- I am Maria.
- He is my teacher.
- Jobs
- She is a doctor.
- They are students.
- Nationality
- I am Brazilian.
- We are American.
- Age
- I am 25 years old.
- He is 10.
- Location
- She is at home.
- They are in the park.
- Feelings and states
- I am happy.
- He is tired.
How Do We Make Sentences with “To Be”?
Affirmative (Positive) Sentences
Structure:
Subject + am / is / are
Examples:
- I am a teacher.
- She is my friend.
- They are at school.
- We are ready.
Negative Sentences
Structure:
Subject + am not / is not / are not
Examples:
- I am not tired.
- He is not from Canada.
- She is not at home.
- They are not students.
(Short forms)
- isn’t = is not
- aren’t = are not
Questions with “To Be”
Structure:
Am / Is / Are + subject + ?
Examples:
- Am I late?
- Is she your sister?
- Are they at work?
- Are we ready?
Common Mistakes ESL Beginners Make
It’s easy to mix the verbs and subjects when you’re first starting to learn English, so be sure to practice as much as possible and then your confidence will increase. Check some examples:
❌ She are happy.
✅ She is happy.
❌ They is my friends.
✅ They are my friends.
Try the Simple Present “To Be” Quiz
Now it’s time to practice what you learned.
In the quiz video below, you will answer 20 multiple-choice questions using am / is / are in simple present sentences, so let’s get started!
👉 Watch the quiz video here:
Download the Free Worksheet
Download the free worksheet to get more practice. The answers are included only in the video.
Simple Present “To Be” Verb Quiz – Frequently Asked Questions
We use the verb “to be” (am, is, are) to talk about identity, jobs, age, nationality, location, and feelings in the present.
“Am” is used with “I.”
“Is” is used with he, she, and it.
“Are” is used with you (singular and plural), we, and they.
To make negative sentences, add “not” after the verb:
I am not tired.
She is not at home.
They are not ready.
To make questions, put the verb before the subject:
Am I late?
Is she your sister?
Are they students?
This quiz is designed for ESL learners at A1–A2 beginner level.
Yes. Teachers can use this worksheet in class or for homework. The answers are only provided in the video.
Yes. You can read the explanation, watch the quiz video, and download the worksheet for extra practice. The answers are only provided in the video.
Keep Practicing the Simple Present
Try the next quizzes in this series:
👉 Simple Present – Common Verbs Quiz
👉 Simple Present – Questions Quiz
👉 Simple Present – Negative Sentences Quiz
👉 Simple Present – Mixed Review Quiz
The simple present tense with am, is, and are is one of the most useful grammar points for ESL beginners. You can use it to talk about yourself, your job, your location, and your feelings in everyday English. The best way to learn this grammar is through practice, not memorization. Watch the quiz video, download the free worksheet, and try a few questions each day. With regular practice, using the verb “to be” will become easier and more natural over time.
Happy learning English go-getter!
Vanessa
English Go-Getters Academy