1. The speaker is making a decision as he/she speaks.

2. The speaker is talking about a decision he/she has made.

3. The speaker is talking about an arrangement.

17. Study the table and do the tasks below.

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

Present Simple	Present Continuous
We use the present simple for future actions when we refer to programmes, timetables, etc. e.g. The bus arrives in Liverpool at 7:30.	We use the present continuous for actions we have decided and arranged to do in the near future. e.g. I’m flying to Tokyo tomorrow morning.

18. Put each verb in brackets into the Present Continuous or the Present Simple.

Example: My daughter is leaving (leave) for Paris next Friday.

Does your train arrive (train / arrive?) at 7.00 or 7.30?

1. They __________ (open) a new exhibition next month.

2. I see, you’ve packed all your things. __________ (you / go away?)

3. The shops here __________ (open) at 7.00 and __________ (close) at 5.30.

4. __________ (you / go) to any parties in the next few weeks?

5. The performances at our theatre __________ (start) at 7.30.

6. What time __________ (the plane for Moscow / leave?)

7. __________ (you / meet) anyone later today?

8. Dad, we __________ (go / for a swim). __________ (you / come) with us?

9. __________ (you / do) anything interesting this evening?

10. Everybody knows they __________ (get married) – it’s in all the newspapers.

19. Your relatives are preparing to leave for the country for summer. Ask them about their arrangements.

Example: (when / leave?) — When are you leaving?

1. (travel / by train?)

2. (take / a lot of things?)

3. (your animals / go / with you?)

4. (let / your house / for the season?)

5. (rent / a car?)

Future Simple vs. Be going to

Future Simple

Be going to

We use the future simple: a) in predictions about the future usually with the verbs think, believe, expect, etc., the expressions be sure, be afraid, etc., and the adverbs probably, perhaps, certainly, etc. e.g. I’m afraid we won’t be on time for the meeting. b) for on-the-spot decisions. e.g. I like this one better than the other. I’ll take it. c) for promises (usually with the verbs promise, swear, guarantee, etc.), threats, warnings, requests, hopes (usually with the verb hope) and offers. e.g. I don’t understand this exercise. Will you help me with it? (request) — Of course! I’ll explain it to you. (offer) d) for actions/events/situations which will definitely happen in the future and which we cannot control. e.g. The temperature will reach 40◦C tomorrow.

We use be going to: a) for plans, intentions or ambitions we have for the future. e.g. I’m going to become a famous designer one day. (ambition) Now that they’ve won the lottery, they are going to buy a big house. (intention / plan) b) for actions we have already decided to do in the near future. e.g. They are going to get married in three months. (they have already decided to do it.) BUT: They’re getting married next month. (They have decided and arranged to do it.) c) in predictions when there is evidence that something will happen in the near future. e.g. Look at the clouds! It’s going to rain. NOTE: We normally use be going to to talk about something we intend to do and will to give details or make comments. e.g. I’m going to have a party next week. I’ll invite all my friends. — That’ll be great.

20. Write about your friend’s plans for the coming summer vacation.

Example: (Ben / go / Siberia / train) — Ben is going to Siberia by train.

1. (Paul / get around / Europe / with his girlfriend)

2. (Lucy / stay / in the South of France / with her aunt)

3. (Steve / take / his younger brother / Canada / his parents)

4. (Kate / spend / a fortnight / Rome)

5. (Peter and John / hike / the Swiss mountains)

6. (Alice and Sam / tour / Spain / in a camper)

21. Write questions with going to.

Example: I’ve found a little puppy in the park. (what / with it?) — What are you going to do with it?

1. It’s unexpectedly hot today. (what / you wear?)

2. Ben has given me his latest painting. (where / you / hang it?)

3. I’ve decided to sell this house. (what / you / buy / instead?)

4. I’m really looking forward to my summer holiday. (where / you / go on holiday?)

22. Answer the questions using was / were going to.

Example: Did you phone him yesterday? — No, I was going to phone him but I changed my mind.

1. Did you ask Ted to help you?

2. Did they visit the Tate Gallery?

3. Did he attend the meeting?

23. You have to say what you think is going to happen in these situations.

Example: Your friend has decided against going to the concert. She is going to regret it.

1. You are my best friend. We’ve been friends for many years. Now you are going away. (miss)

2. The children went to the wood all by themselves. They don’t know the area well. (get lost)

3. There is a hole in Tom’s jacket pocket. He’s put some small change in it. (lose)

24. Decide what to do or not to do in the following situations.

Example: Letters travel too long. (phone them) I think we’ll phone them.

It’s too cold today. I don’t think we’ll go skating.

1. It’s too hot today. (for a swim)

2. You’re too tired now. (homework / tomorrow)

3. You forgot to phone Ann. (now)

4. You have a lot of work to do. (to the cinema)

5. It’s windy outside. (for a walk)

6. You don’t like travelling by train. (by car)

7. You feel sleepy. (TV tonight)

25. Agree and promise to do things.

Example: Can you type this letter? (Sure / after lunch) — Sure, I’ll type it after lunch.

Do you promise to phone him? (Yes / tonight) — Yes, I promise. I’ll phone him tonight.

1. Can you cook the dinner today? (Sure / in the afternoon)

2. Do you promise to write to me? (Yes / as soon as I get there)

3. Can you wash my sweater? (All right / tomorrow)

4. Please, don’t break anything. (Don’t worry / anything)

5. Will you take the children to the Zoo? (OK / on Saturday)

6. Do you promise not to tell anyone? (Don’t worry)

7. Say that you won’t be angry! (All right)

26. Read the following conversations and choose the most appropriate future forms.

1. A: Are you going to / Will you get married soon?

B: Maybe. I ‘m going to tell / ‘ll tell you when we’ve decided on a date.

2. A: Ben, your room’s still a mess, and Grandma ’s arriving / ’ll arrive tomorrow.

B: OK, I told you this morning – I’m going to tidy / tidying it today.

A: I want you to do it now!

B: OK, OK, I ’ll do / ’m doing it in five minutes.

3. A: What will you do / are you doing this afternoon?

B: Oh, I ’m having / ’ll have lunch with Scarlett Johansson, then I ’ll probably play / ’m probably going to play a few rounds of golf, followed by a massage, a Jacuzzi and champagne cocktails at the Ritz.

A: What?

B: Well what do you think I ’ll do! / ’m doing! I’m at work of course!

4. A: Are you doing / Will you do anything tonight?

B: No, why?

A: I ’ll see / ’m going to see the new Bond film. Do you fancy coming?

B: No, I’m afraid I can’t. I have to get up early tomorrow.

5. A: Would you like to come to the cinema tonight?

B: I’d love to but I ’ll work / ’m working tonight.

A: Oh, what a shame.

B: I know. What are you going to see / are you seeing?

A: The new Bond film.

B: Oh, I’ve heard it’s really good.

6. A: Where are you going to find / will you find the money?

B: The bank! I ‘m seeing / ’ll see the bank manager on Friday.

7. A: Not again! That phone never stops ringing!

B: I ’m going to get / ’ll get it. Hello? Hold on – Andy, it’s for you.

A: OK, I ’m taking / ’ll take it in my office.

Which form is used to talk about...

• a spontaneous decision (you speak at the moment you decide to do something)?

• an intention (you speak after you have already decided to do something)?

• an arrangement (you speak after you have already arranged to do something)?

27. Put each verb in brackets into the most appropriate future time form.

1. __________ (you / watch) TV later today?

2. What time (you / get up) tomorrow?

3. My friend _________ (get married) in July. It (probably be) ___ really hot.

4. Your house is very small. — I know. I __________ (move) to a bigger house next year.

5. I have got a new job! — Wonderful! I __________ (call) Mum and tell her the good news.

6. How old is your daughter? — She __________ (be) eighteen next week.

7. You’d better not come in July. My mother __________ (stay) with me then.

8. When I’m older I __________ (travel) around the world.

9. What are your plans for tonight? — Well, I __________ (meet) Steve at eight o’clock.

10. I’ve left my jacket at home. — I __________ (go back) and get it for you.

11. What time __________? (your plane leave)

12. I __________ (play) football this weekend. It’s an important game.

13. I’ve got no plans this evening. I think I __________ (just stay in).

14. I __________ (do) some shopping after the lesson. I need to get some food.

15. Can you call me at 7.00, because I __________ (leave) tomorrow.

16. __________ (you take) your dog with you to Scotland?

17. I don’t think you __________ (have) any problems at the airport.

18. Leave the car here. Maybe the police __________ (not notice) it.

19. I __________ (feel) tired and I think I __________ (stay in) this evening.

SPEAKING PRACTICE

28. Act out the following situation.

A family is discussing where they will go for their summer holidays... Even though their tastes are different the family wants to go on holiday together. They are trying to choose a holiday they all can agree to. They are at home in London on a wet Sunday afternoon.

Daughter :	Holidays are for doing something different – I’d like to work with my hands – weaving or pottery, or something. I can’t stand lying on a beach for more than a couple of days.
Father :	An active holiday for me – I’d like to go horse riding. I’m stuck in an office all year round.
Son :	I love exploring and discovering things; old churches and castles, different ways of life: something genuine and off the beaten track. I don’t want to get stuck in a crowd of tourists. It’s not worth going on holiday if you can’t get away from what you do all year round.
Mother :	I’ve been working so hard this year that all I want is to sit around on the beach and have a really lazy time. I want to soak in enough sun to see me through November.

29. Comment on the following:

1. Any problem, big or small, within a family, always seems to start with bad communication. Someone isn’t listening. (Emma Thompson)

2. Family life is not a computer program that runs on its own; it needs continual input from everyone. (Neil Kurshan)

3. Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing. (Jim Rohn)

DISCUSSION

30. Read the text and get ready to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being an only child. Write out the words and word combinations that will help you speak on the problem.