A2 Key:Daily Routines & Free Time
Present Simple vs Present Continuous · adverbs of frequency.
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Introduces Reading 4; recycles Listening 4 and Writing 2 article.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
In pairs, sort these into 'happening now' or 'usually happens': eating breakfast, sleeping, watching a film, working.
Ask three classmates: 'What do you usually do in your free time?'
Note one thing you are doing this week that is different from your normal routine.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minPresent Simple vs Present Continuous
Present Simple = routines/facts (I work every day). Present Continuous = now/around now (I'm working today).
- 1We use the Present Simple for routines, habits and facts that are usually true: I get up at seven every day.
- 2We use the Present Continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing) for actions happening right now, or temporary situations around now: I'm reading a great book this month.
- 3Look — it's raining!
- 4Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, never) go with the Present Simple, before the main verb but after be: I usually watch TV in the evening.
- 5She's never late.
I usually cook dinner, but tonight I'm eating out.
She plays tennis every Sunday. Right now she's playing chess with her son.
We often go to the cinema at weekends.
Look! They're waiting for the bus.
Question 1.I ____ TV every evening.
Question 2.Look! She ____ a photo of the sunset.
Question 3.We ____ go swimming on Saturdays.
Question 4.____ you doing anything interesting this weekend?
Question 5.He ____ never late for work.
Question 6.Right now, they ____ dinner in the kitchen.
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Talk about a habit
2.Describe now
3.Ask about free time
Quick check 1.Which sentence is about something happening right now?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
What to do
Match each free-time word/phrase with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
What to do
Sort each free-time activity under the correct frequency word.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use today's free-time vocabulary in full sentences.
Ask your partner
- Who do you usually hang out with?
- What do you do on your day off?
- What are you doing at the moment?
"Something I hardly ever do is..."hardly ever
Do you think people have enough free time these days? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 30 words comparing your usual free time with what you're doing this week.
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Reading Part 3 — Five people want a new free-time activity.
- 2.Read the descriptions of eight clubs (A–H) and decide which club is right for each person.
Tap a person, then tap the text that best matches their needs.
The 5 people
The 8 texts
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minWeak form of 'are' in continuous questions
Are you often sounds like /əjə/ in fast natural speech.
- • What are you doing?
- • Are you working today?
- • Where are they going?
- • Is she coming too?
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minMy free time these days
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Hi! I'm Noor, and I want to tell you about my free time. During the week, I usually finish work at six, so in the evenings I often go for a run or cook dinner with my flatmate. I don't watch much TV — maybe once or twice a week.
At weekends, I usually meet friends in the town centre. We often go to a café or the cinema. I love reading, so I always take a book with me, even to a café!
This month is a bit different, though. I'm learning to paint, so on Wednesday evenings I'm going to an art class instead of running. It's hard, but I'm really enjoying it. Next month I'll probably go back to my normal routine — but maybe I'll keep painting too!
Question 1.What does Noor usually do after work?
Question 2.How often does Noor watch TV?
Question 3.What is Noor doing this month that is different?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minTwo colleagues talk about their week
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Dan:What are you doing this evening, Sara?
Sara:I'm meeting my sister for dinner, actually. We usually meet once a month.
Dan:That sounds nice. Do you usually do anything else in the evenings?
Sara:I often go for a swim, but I'm not going tonight because of dinner. What about you?
Dan:I'm learning to cook at the moment — I'm taking an evening class on Thursdays.
Sara:That's great! How often do you go?
Dan:Just once a week, but I'm really enjoying it.
Question 1.What is Sara doing this evening?
Question 2.How often does Sara meet her sister?
Question 3.What is Dan learning to do?
Question 4.How often does Dan go to his class?
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Listening Part 2 — Complete the notes.
- 2.Write ONE word or a number in each gap.
Part 3 audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Dan's evening cooking class
Schedule- Activity:
- Day of the week:
- How often:
- Sara's evening plan:
- How often Sara meets her sister:
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minA2 Key Listening Part 2 — note completion
Underline the key word in each label first (e.g. How often means you expect a frequency phrase).
Task
Listen twice and write short answers (a word, a number or a frequency phrase) in each gap.
Example
Label: How often: → expect a phrase like once a week or twice a month.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.'I ___ go running on Sundays.' Type ONE word.
Q2.'Look! She ___ dinner right now.' Type ONE word.
Q3.'What ___ you doing this evening?' Type ONE word.
A2 Key Writing Part 6 — Write a short message to a friend about your free time, 25 words or more.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi! In my free time I usually go running or meet friends. This week I'm trying a new dance class on Tuesdays. I'm really enjoying it! What do you usually do in your free time?
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Interview your partner about their normal routine AND what they are doing differently this week. Use at least three frequency adverbs and one continuous form.
What to do
Choose the best answer for each line in this everyday conversation about free time.
- AWhat do you usually do at weekends?
- B_______________
- AAnd what are you doing this weekend?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the routines vs free-time practice finishes early. ~15 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write 6–8 sentences comparing your usual free-time routine with what you're doing this week, using both tenses and at least 3 frequency adverbs.
Your response
0 words SavedInterview a family member or friend about their free time and note 5 things they told you.
Your response
0 words SavedComplete a gap-fill choosing Present Simple or Present Continuous for 6 sentences.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Sentences
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Present Simple = routines and facts; Present Continuous = now / around now.
- Frequency adverbs (always, usually, often, sometimes, never) go before the main verb, after 'be'.
- Use continuous forms for temporary situations: 'I'm learning to paint this month.'
- A2 Key Listening Part 2 = note completion; predict the word type before you listen.
- A2 Key Reading Part 3 = match 5 people to 8 short texts; 3 texts are extra.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameFuture plans and conditions
Practise this exam skill
Habits vs right now
Practise this exam skill
Telling a story in the past
Practise this exam skill