Predicting
Another common type of question in this part of the exam is about the
future. This type of question often occurs after a question that asks you to
compare the past to the present. Essentially, you are now being asked to compare
the current situation to a future one. In many cases you will need to use the future
tense:
will + verb
The buildings will be much taller
going to + verb
People are going to live much longer
USEFUL LANGUAGE
Opening:
I am sure that in years to come we will see some major developments.
It is difficult to predict the future, but I think there are going to be some
major changes with regard to…
The first prediction:
It's hard to predict the future, but I suppose...
I'm not sure exactly what will happen, but one possibility is...
The second prediction:
As well as this, we will probably start to see…
Furthermore, this might sound a bit crazy, but I think one day…
Future idioms
on the cards = probably will
Yes, doing some study is on the cards tomorrow
bank on = almost certainly will happen
You can bank on the Internet being more popular in the future.
SAMPLE QUESTION:
How do you think housing will change in the future?
It is difficult to predict the future, but I think there are going to be
some major changes with regard to residential buildings.
I'm not sure exactly what will happen, but one possibility is the rising
demand for housing and the scarcity of land may lead to people only living
in apartment buildings and so I think the disappearance of detached houses
is on the cards.
Furthermore, this might sound a bit crazy, but I think one day, we may
even have to start building houses on the ocean. There just doesn't seem to
be enough land left in many metropolitan areas like Shanghai to build
anywhere else.
Step-By-Step Approach
1. opening phrase:
It is difficult to predict the future, but I think there are going to be some
major changes with regard to residential buildings.
2. introduce and describe the first prediction:
I'm not sure exactly what might happen, but one possibility is the rising
demand for housing and the scarcity of land may lead to people only living in
apartment buildings and the disappearance of detached houses.
3. Use a linking phrase and introduce and describe the second difference:
Furthermore, this might sound a bit crazy, but I think one day, we may even
have to start building houses on the ocean. There just doesn't seem to be enough
land left in many metropolitan areas like Shanghai to build anywhere else.
Practice Questions
1. What will schools be like in the future?
2. What will cars be like in the future?
3. Do you think people will have more free time in the future?
4. Do you think we will get the news in different ways in the future?
5. What will your country be like in 20 years?
6. Do you think the climate will be hotter in the future?