I. Chose the right variant. 1. Jeremy . basketball this season; he wants to concentrate on his studies....

Here are the correct answers with explanations for each question:

1. isn’t playing - The correct answer is "isn’t playing" because the sentence implies that Jeremy has made a decision not to play basketball this season. This decision is for the present season, hence the use of the present continuous in its negative form to indicate an ongoing situation within a specific time frame (this season).

2. have you been doing - "What have you been doing with yourself?" is the correct form here. The question is asking about what the person has been engaged in recently to cause them to be covered in mud, suggesting a continuous action up to now.

3. has been learning - Mike “has been learning” Italian indicates an ongoing process that started in the past and continues up to now, especially since he still doesn’t understand much.

4. is taking - "Ann can’t come to the phone right now because she is taking a shower" uses the present continuous tense, which is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking.

5. have you known - Since the response is “But I don’t know him at all,” the correct question form is "How long have you known Jerry?" It asks about the duration of knowing someone up to the present, even if the actual duration is zero.

6. is reading - John “is reading” for his History exam at the library. This is a present continuous usage, appropriate for describing an action happening currently.

7. am looking for - The statement “I am looking for a public telephone” is in the present continuous, indicating an action occurring at the moment.

8. has been moving - The family “has been moving” from town to town, which uses the present perfect continuous to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to now, likely intermittently.

9. attend - About 85 percent of American students “attend” public schools. This is a simple present tense, used here to state a general fact.

10. have looked - “I have looked through it already" uses the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of looking through the magazine is completed at the time of speaking.

11. complains - Alice “complains” about difficulties all the time. The simple present is used here to describe a habitual action.

12. have you been doing - Asking someone who looks tired “What have you been doing all day?” uses the present perfect continuous to inquire about what has been occupying them throughout the day.

13. doesn’t use - Sara “doesn’t use” her car very often. This is a simple present tense used to describe habitual or usual actions.

14. are being - When saying "I think you are being very silly," the present continuous form of "to be" (are being) is used to describe someone’s behavior that is temporary or at the moment.

15. have been standing - “Peter and Mary have been standing on the platform” uses the present perfect continuous to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, emphasizing the duration of the action.

These answers and explanations align with standard rules of English verb tenses and their usage in different contexts.

1. Jeremy hasn’t played basketball this season; he wants to concentrate on his studies.
2. What have you been doing with yourself? There is mud all over you!
3. As far as I know Mike has been learning Italian for quite some time, but he still doesn’t understand very much.
4. I am sorry Ann can’t come to the phone right now because she is taking a shower.
5. How long have you known Jerry? - But I don’t know him at all. I have never met him.
6. • Hello! May I speak to John, please? - Sorry, he is out. He has gone to the library. He has been reading for his History exam there.
7. Excuse me I am looking for a public telephone. Is there one near here?
8. Her family has been moving from town to town ever since she can remember.
9. About 85 percent of American students attend public schools, which are supported by state and local taxes.
10. You may take this magazine. I have looked through it already.
11. I don’t like Alice. She complains about difficulties of life all the time.
12. Nora, you look awfully tired. What have you been doing all day?
13. Sara, my next door neighbour, has a car, but she doesn’t use it very often.
14. I think you are being very silly. Don't get out of bed. You’ll only make your temperature go up again.
15. Peter and Mary have been standing on the platform. They have been waiting for their train for half an hour.