Future forms: will, going to, present simple and present continuous
Select a future form according to the speaker's meaning; Distinguish opinion from evidence and spontaneous from prior decisions; Contrast schedules with personal arrangements.
1. You are giving a prediction based only on your opinion. Which sentence is most suitable?
Multiple Choice20sAI think the new policy will succeed.✓BLook at those figures - the policy is going to succeed.CThe policy succeeds at noon.DThe policy is succeeding next year by timetable.💡 Will is used for a prediction based on opinion, knowledge or feeling.
2. A decision made at the moment of speaking can be expressed with will.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Spontaneous choices, offers and promises are standard uses of will.
3. Look at that cyclist! She _____ going to hit the barrier.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedis💡 Present evidence supports going to, which requires the correct form of be.
4. Which sentence refers to a published timetable?
Multiple Choice20sAThe final train leaves at 23.10.✓BWe're leaving for the station at 22.30.CI'll leave the office now.DI'm going to leave this job one day.💡 The present simple is used for scheduled or timetabled events.
5. Match each future meaning to its example.
Matching30sOpinion prediction→I expect prices will fall.Prediction from evidence→That shelf is going to collapse.Timetabled event→The workshop starts at nine.Fixed personal arrangement→I'm seeing the dentist tomorrow.💡 Each form reflects the evidence, decision timing or degree of scheduling involved.
6. We _____ meeting the suppliers at three tomorrow; it is in everyone's diary.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedare💡 A fixed personal arrangement can use the present continuous.
7. Put the chunks in order to make a spontaneous offer.
Put in Order30s- 1.I'll
- 2.carry
- 3.those boxes
- 4.upstairs
- 5.for you.
💡 Will expresses an offer made at the moment of speaking.
8. The phone starts ringing. Which response is most natural?
Multiple Choice20sAI'll answer it.✓BI'm answering it tomorrow.CI answer it according to the timetable.DI'm going to answer it before it rang.💡 The speaker makes a spontaneous decision in response to the ringing phone.
9. The present continuous is the standard target form for the departure time printed on a train timetable.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Scheduled events take the present simple in this contrast.
10. Use the present simple of start: According to the programme, the keynote speech _____ at 10.15.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedstarts💡 A scheduled programme event is expressed in the present simple.
11. Which sentence predicts the future from visible evidence?
Multiple Choice20sAThose dark clouds mean it's going to pour.✓BI suppose it will rain sometime.CThe weather bulletin starts at six.DWe're meeting the forecaster tomorrow.💡 Going to is used because the clouds provide evidence now.
12. Match each situation to the most natural response.
Matching30sA bag looks heavy→I'll help you carry it.A decision made last week→I'm going to apply for the role.A cinema listing→The film finishes at 22.20.A confirmed dinner booking→We're eating at the Riverside tonight.💡 The responses distinguish spontaneous offer, prior intention, schedule and arrangement.
13. I promise I _____ tell anyone what you said.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwon't · will not · will never💡 Will not expresses a promise or refusal and normally contracts to won't; will never is a stronger acceptable promise here.
14. 'We're meeting the client on Thursday' can express a fixed future arrangement.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 A present continuous form plus future time can describe a diary arrangement.
15. The speaker decided yesterday to study data science. Which is best?
Multiple Choice20sAShe's going to study data science.✓BShe'll study data science - I've just decided for her.CShe studies data science at 9.00 by timetable.DShe studying data science next year.💡 Going to presents an intention formed before the moment of speaking.
16. Put the chunks in order to describe a timetabled event.
Put in Order30s- 1.The new term
- 2.begins
- 3.at
- 4.nine o'clock
- 5.on Monday.
💡 The present simple is used for the scheduled start.
17. Complete the confident opinion prediction with one word: I think people _____ work fewer hours in the future.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwill💡 I think signals an opinion prediction, for which will is appropriate.
18. Which question asks about a future personal arrangement?
Multiple Choice20sAAre you doing anything this weekend?✓BDo you do anything according to the timetable?CWill you doing anything this weekend?DAre you going do anything this weekend?💡 The present continuous question asks about an arranged or fixed plan.
19. Going to is used only for spontaneous decisions made as the speaker talks.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 A spontaneous decision is more typically expressed with will.
20. They have bought the paint, so they _____ going to redecorate the office.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedare💡 The preparation is present evidence of a prior plan, so going to is appropriate.