We need to fill in the blanks with the correct verb. So we need to choose a logical verb and conjugate it in the simple present tense. Recall that this tense is used to talk about habitual actions or routines. This tense is also used to describe things that happens now or in the near future. So the correct answers are as follows:
1. Right answer:
cierra
El estudiante cierra el libro para empezar el examen.
cierra is the conjugation of the verb cerrar for the third person singular in the simple present. This sentence stands for the third person singular because we can replace el estudiante by the subject pronoun for the third person singular in masculine form él whose translation is he in English. On the other hands, the verb cerrar means to close. Therefore:
The student closes the book to begin the exam.
2. Right answer:
empieza
La clase empieza muy temprano por la mañana
empieza is the conjugation of the verb empezar for the third person singular in the simple present. This sentence stands for the third person singular because la clase matches this person. In this way, empezar means to start. By the way, another verb that means the same is comenzar whose conjugation for the third person singular is comienza. Therefore:
Class starts very early in the morning
3. Right answer:
quiere
Sophie quiere ir a la playa.
quiere is the conjugation of the verb querer for the third person singular in the simple present. We know that this sentence matches the third person singular because we can replace Sophie by the subject pronoun for the third person singular in feminine form ella whose translation is she in English. On the other hands, the verb querer means to want. Therefore:
Sophie wants to go to the beach
4. Right answer:
habla
La muchacha no habla español porque solamente habla inglés
habla is the conjugation of the verb hablar for the third person singular in the simple present. As well as in the previous exercise, we know that this sentence matches the third person singular because we can replace La muchacha by ella. On the other hand, the verb hablar means to speak in this context. Therefore:
The girl does not speak Spanish because she only speaks English
5. Right answer:
habla
Charlie piensa que las playas son interesantes.
piensa is the conjugation of the verb pensar for the third person singular in the simple present. This sentence stands for the third person singular because Charlie can be replaced by él. By the way, another verb we can use in this context is creer whose conjugation for the third person singular is cree. Therefore:
Charlie thinks the beaches are interesting.