A1 Questions & Short Answers Grammar Test 3 – Academic English Foundations | IELTS TOEFL YDS
Master A1 English questions through mixed auxiliary systems (do/does, be, and present continuous) and accurate short answers. This academic-style test supports IELTS, TOEFL, and YDS preparation.
Choose the best answer (A, B, or C) to complete each question or short answer.
Pay attention to:
Do/Does + base verb (habits)
Be (am/is/are) (states/identity)
Present continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
Short answers must match the auxiliary
Only one option is correct.
RESULTS
#1. ___ you a first-year student?
#2. Yes, I ___.
#3. ___ he study in the library every day?
#4. No, he ___.
#5. ___ they preparing for the quiz now?
#6. Yes, they ___.
#7. What ___ your research topic?
#8. Which ___ do you prefer for the presentation, slides or a poster?
#9. ___ she working on the report at the moment?
#10. No, she ___.
#11. Where ___ the seminar held?
#12. What time ___ the class start on Fridays?
#13. ___ you understand this chart?
#14. No, I ___.
#15. Are the results available online? — Yes, they ___.
🧠 FULL TEACHING-LEVEL EXPLANATIONS (ALL 15)
🧩 1) Are you a first-year student?
Structural reason: “a first-year student” = noun phrase → needs be (Are you…?).
Meaning logic: This asks about identity/status, not an action.
Rhetorical effect: Formal academic introduction question.
Why wrong answers fail:
Do is for actions/habits (Do you study…?)
Does is for he/she/it
Exam note: IELTS speaking introductions often start with “Are you…?”
🧩 2) Yes, I am
Structural reason: Short answer repeats be (Are…? → am/are/is).
Meaning logic: Confirms identity.
Rhetorical effect: Natural, concise reply.
Why wrong answers fail:
do/does belong to action questions, not identity.
Exam note: TOEFL dialogues test correct short answers often.
🧩 3) Does he study every day?
Structural reason: Present simple question for he → Does + base verb (“study,” not “studies”).
Meaning logic: Habit frequency question.
Rhetorical effect: Routine/discipline inquiry.
Why wrong answers fail:
Is/Are are be-verb forms, wrong system.
Exam note: Major trap: “Does he studies?” (incorrect).
🧩 4) No, he doesn’t
Structural reason: Does-question → doesn’t answer.
Meaning logic: Denies the habit.
Rhetorical effect: Direct academic response.
Why wrong answers fail:
isn’t is for be-verb questions
aren’t is plural/you form
Exam note: Auxiliary consistency = points.
🧩 5) Are they preparing now?
Structural reason: Present continuous question: are + -ing.
Meaning logic: “now” signals current action.
Rhetorical effect: Real-time classroom status check.
Why wrong answers fail:
Do/Does are present simple, not “now.”
Exam note: TOEFL listening frequently uses “now/at the moment.”
🧩 6) Yes, they are
Structural reason: Are-question → are short answer.
Meaning logic: Confirms current action.
Rhetorical effect: Efficient confirmation.
Why wrong answers fail:
do/does mismatch system.
Exam note: Short answers must mirror the auxiliary.
🧩 7) What is your research topic?
Structural reason: “research topic” = noun phrase → be verb.
Meaning logic: Identity/information question.
Rhetorical effect: Academic profile style.
Why wrong answers fail:
do/does would require an action verb.
Exam note: “What is…” is one of the most common TOEFL question stems.
🧩 8) Which one do you prefer?
Structural reason: Which needs a noun; “one” works as a substitute noun.
Meaning logic: Choice between two options.
Rhetorical effect: Formal preference question.
Why wrong answers fail:
is/do are verbs, not the needed noun.
Exam note: Which vs what is a key exam distinction.
🧩 9) Is she working at the moment?
Structural reason: Present continuous with she → is + -ing.
Meaning logic: “at the moment” = now.
Rhetorical effect: Task-status check.
Why wrong answers fail:
does/do are present simple.
Exam note: Time markers (“now/at the moment”) signal continuous.
🧩 10) No, she isn’t
Structural reason: Is-question → isn’t short answer.
Meaning logic: Denies current action.
Rhetorical effect: Quick correction.
Why wrong answers fail:
doesn’t/don’t are for present simple actions.
Exam note: Match be with be, do with do.
🧩 11) Where is the seminar held?
Structural reason: Passive-style location question uses be (held).
Meaning logic: Asking location, formal event language.
Rhetorical effect: Academic timetable/notice style.
Why wrong answers fail:
do/does require an action verb structure.
Exam note: “Where is … held?” appears in notices.
🧩 12) What time does the class start?
Structural reason: Class = it → does; after does, verb is base: start.
Meaning logic: Schedule question.
Rhetorical effect: Academic routine.
Why wrong answers fail:
do wrong subject
is would require “What time is the class?”
Exam note: Time questions hide do/does choices.
🧩 13) Do you understand this chart?
Structural reason: Present simple question with you → do.
Meaning logic: Understanding check.
Rhetorical effect: Classroom clarification.
Why wrong answers fail:
are/is = be-verb system, not “understand.”
Exam note: “Do you understand…?” is common in TOEFL lectures.
🧩 14) No, I don’t
Structural reason: Do-question → don’t answer for I/you/we/they.
Meaning logic: Denies comprehension.
Rhetorical effect: Honest response.
Why wrong answers fail:
am not = be-verb
doesn’t = third person
Exam note: IELTS speaking: short answers must be grammatically tight.
🧩 15) Yes, they are
Structural reason: Are-question → are short answer.
Meaning logic: Confirms the state (availability).
Rhetorical effect: Administrative confirmation.
Why wrong answers fail:
do/does are action auxiliaries.
Exam note: Availability/status often uses be, not do.
