You are relaying an important story about your new job to one of your friends. a coworker has been spreading rumors about you on the job. you are unsure of the way in which you should handle the situation.

how can you tell that your friend is being an active listener for you?
a. your friend tells you about a fight he had with his parents.
b. your friend asks you if you want to go see a movie on the weekend.
c. your friend nods and says "uh-huh" after every part of your story.
d. your friend restates what you have said, and then asks clarifying questions.

the present continuous is a verb tense which is mainly used to indicates that an action is in progress at the moment of speaking.  

it is formed using: person + verb to be (am/is/are) +verb + - ing form  

example: i am studying at this moment .

in addition, the present continuous is also used in order to express things that will or will not happen in the near future.

example: i am having dinner with some friends tonight.

the speaker sometimes   uses it   to express that an action is repeated and it causes irritation on the part of the speaker

example: my sister is constantly complaining about everything.

a) the british government verbally threatens the colonies.

b) the british government has sent navies and armies to the colonies.

c) the british government argues against separation in the house of commons.

d) the british government has sent petitions and letters to all of the colonists.