Quick exercise: ”there is” vs ”it is” (A2 level)
There is vs. it is
This is a quick A2-level exercise for you to test yourself on how we use there is and it is.
Here’s a short summary of the basics, in case you need a quick reminder:
There is, there are / there was, there were
We use there when we speak about something for the first time, to say that it exists.
- There’s a new restaurant next to our offices. It looks great. (there’s = there is)
- I’m sorry I’m late: there was a traffic jam in the centre of town.
- Is there an ATM near here?
- How many players are there in a cricket team?
It is, it was
It = a specific thing, place, situation, fact, etc.
- I love ice hockey. It’s so exciting! (it = ice hockey, it’s = it is)
- ‘How was the film?’ ‘It was scary.’ (it = the film)
- We lost the match. It was disappointing. (it = that we didn’t win)
Use ”It is” with distance, time, weather, dates
We use it when speaking about dates, days, distance, time, weather and the temperature:
- ‘What time is it?’ ‘It’s 8 o’clock.’
- ‘It’s cold today.’ ‘Yes, it’s only four degrees.’
- It’s raining again.
- How far is it to Edinburgh from Glasgow?
- It’s 25 May tomorrow: it’s my birthday.
Exercise
Choose the correct answer in each of the following:
Marius - January 6, 2026, 8:39 am
This is boring
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