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Part 1 Β· Episode 9 A2-B1

Right Now, On Stage

πŸ“ Present Continuous

Freddie Mercury Β· 1985: Live Aid πŸ“– 4 min read

Episode 9: Right Now, On Stage

Present Continuous β€” Freddie Mercury, 1985 (A2-B1)

Grammar Box

Meaning: We use Present Continuous for actions happening right now at this moment. It shows something in progress, not habits or general truth.

Form: am/is/are + verb+ing (I am / he/she/it is / you/we/they are + -ing)

Example 1: I am studying now. (happening at this moment)

Example 2: She is cooking dinner. (in progress now)

Common mistake: Wrong: He working now. Better: He is working now.

The Question

Luna watches a video on her phone. “He is singing. They are clapping. The music is playing.” She looks up. “Why do we say ‘is singing’ instead of ‘sings’? What’s the difference?” The watch glows brilliantly. Professor Wisdom appears. “Let’s witness a performance happening right now.”

The Journey

They arrive at a massive stadium. 72,000 people pack every seat. The roar is deafening. The air vibrates with energy. Everyone is waiting, watching, hoping.

This is Freddie Mercury. He is 38 years old. He’s the lead singer of Queen. His voice can shake stadiums. But today, he’s nervous. His throat is damaged. Doctors say he shouldn’t perform. But Freddie doesn’t care. This concert matters too much.

This is Wembley Stadium, London. July 13, 1985. Live Aid is happening. A global concert for African famine relief. Billions are watching on TV worldwide. Queen has 20 minutes. Just 20 minutes to remind the world who they are. Many say Queen is finished. This is their chance to prove everyone wrong.

Freddie walks onto the stage. The crowd explodes. He is wearing a white tank top and jeans. Simple. Powerful. He grabs the microphone. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is starting. His voice is soaring. The crowd is singing every word with him. 72,000 voices are joining as one.

He is moving constantly. Running. Jumping. Commanding. “Radio Ga Ga” is playing now. Everyone is clapping in perfect rhythm. Freddie is conducting them like an orchestra. He raises his hand. They respond. He is controlling the entire stadium with just gestures. This is not a concert. This is magic happening.

The cameras are rolling. The world is watching. People in Africa are listening. People in America are crying. This moment is uniting the planet. Before Live Aid, benefit concerts were small. After this, everything changed. Music became a tool for global change.

You can feel the bass vibrating through your chest. You can smell summer sweat and excitement. The July sun is beating down. Freddie’s voice is cutting through everything. His energy is impossible. He is dying insideβ€”illness is already there. But right now, he is absolutely alive. He is giving everything.

The Insight

Professor Wisdom points to the stage. “Listen to what’s happening. ‘He is singing. They are clapping. The music is playing.’ Present Continuous shows actions happening RIGHT NOW. This moment. Not habits. Not general truth. This exact second. Use ‘am/is/are’ + verb+ing. For Iβ€”use ‘am.’ For he/she/itβ€”use ‘is.’ For you/we/theyβ€”use ‘are.’ This tense captures life as it unfolds.”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

  1. “I am studying English right now.” β€” Action happening at this moment.
  2. “She is cooking dinner in the kitchen.” β€” Action in progress now.
  3. “They are watching a movie.” β€” Current activity.
  4. “The baby is sleeping.” β€” Current state.
  5. “We are learning something new today.” β€” Present activity.
  6. “Look! It is raining outside.” β€” Happening at this exact moment.

Exercises:

  1. Fill in the blank: The children ___ in the garden right now. (play / are playing)

  2. Choose the correct:
    a) He working on a project.
    b) He is working on a project.

  3. Make Present Continuous:
    – I / read / a book β†’ __
    – She / talk / on the phone β†’     __
    – They / wait / for the bus β†’ _____

  4. Complete: Listen! Someone ___ at the door. The birds ___ in the trees.

  5. Your turn: Look around you right now. Write three sentences about what is happening using Present Continuous.

Answer Key:

  1. are playing (children = they = are + playing)
  2. b) He is working on a project (need is/am/are before verb+ing)
  3. I am reading a book / She is talking on the phone / They are waiting for the bus
  4. is knocking / are singing (someone = is; birds = they = are)
  5. Check: Did you use am/is/are? Did you add -ing to the verb? Do your sentences describe actions happening right now?

The Lesson

They return to Luna’s room. The watch dims. Luna stands up and stretches. “Right now, I am learning. The moment is happening. I am living it.” Professor Wisdom smiles. “Every second matters. Present Continuous captures the now. And now is all we truly have.”