LanGYM — The Future

Section 1 — Context Listening

1.1 Which of these activities would you like to do on a visit to the USA?

Think about: sightseeing in New York · visiting the Golden Gate Bridge · camping on a beach · going to a university · visiting the Grand Canyon · sailing along the Pacific coast

1.2 Listen to Jessica and Kelly talking about their plans.

Jessica is doing a course in American Studies at a British university. As part of this programme she will spend her third year studying at a university in Los Angeles in California. Her friend, Kelly, wants to visit her while she is there. Listen to them talking about their plans. Which of the activities shown in 1.1 do they mention?

🎧 Recording 03

Recording 03 — Transcript

Kelly: You must be really looking forward to going to America. When are you actually leaving?

Jessica: I'm flying on the 15th July. I'm spending a few days sightseeing in New York, and then I arrive in Los Angeles on the 20th. Lectures start on the 27th July.

Kelly: Sounds great. And what about accommodation?

Jessica: Well, first I'm going to stay with Daniel and Susanna, some friends of my parents.

Kelly: You're not staying with them the whole time you're there, are you?

Jessica: No, I'll be looking for my own place. But I'm really pleased they'll be around. It'll be good to know I can contact them in case I have any problems. They're meeting me at the airport, too. Mind you, I haven't seen them for years. They'll have forgotten what I look like.

Kelly: And what about the course?

Jessica: It looks really interesting. They sent me a reading list, but of course I haven't got round to opening any of the books yet. So it's going to take a long time to catch up. I'll be studying really hard during the semesters so that I don't have to do much work in the vacations.

Kelly: And when does the first semester end?

Jessica: The 7th December. Then I'm going to San Francisco for a week. I've always wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge. I'm going to fly up there if it's not too expensive.

Kelly: Do you know when you'll be back in Los Angeles?

Jessica: Probably mid-December. So you can come any time after that.

Kelly: I'm so looking forward to it. I've always wanted to go to the States. I was going to see my aunt in Seattle a couple of years ago, but I cancelled the trip because she got ill.

Jessica: Will you stop over anywhere on the way out? Maybe New York or Chicago?

Kelly: I haven't really thought about it. But I've only got three weeks, so I think I'll fly directly to Los Angeles.

Jessica: Fine. And I'll meet you at the airport, of course. By the time you come I'm sure I'll have got to know LA really well, so I'll be able to show you all the sights.

Kelly: Yes, I suppose you will. When I come to see you, you'll have been living in California for nearly six months. I expect you'll be staying out there for a bit longer, won't you?

Jessica: Ha, maybe. I might even end up emigrating!

1.3 Listen again and fill in the gaps.

1 I a few days sightseeing in New York.

2 I in Los Angeles on the 20th.arrive

3 I for my own place.'ll be looking

4 It a long time to catch up.'s going to take

5 I up there if it's not too expensive.'m going to fly

6 you stop over anywhere on the way out?Will

7 When I come to see you, you in California for nearly six months.'ll have been living

8 You out there for a bit longer, won't you?'ll be staying

1.4 How many different ways of referring to the future did you use in 1.3?

Think about: present continuous · present simple · future continuous · be going to + infinitive · will · future perfect continuous

Answer (click to reveal):

Section 2 — Grammar

2.1Will, be going to, shall

Start Point

Will
I think I'll fly directly to Los Angeles. (= decision made without planning)
I expect you'll be staying out there a bit longer. (= prediction based on opinion)

Be going to + infinitive
First I'm going to stay with Daniel and Susanna. (= a decision already made)
It's going to take a long time to catch up. (= prediction based on evidence)

We use will for on-the-spot decisions and personal predictions. We use be going to for pre-planned intentions and predictions based on visible evidence. Use shall instead of will with I/we in formal statements or questions about intentions.

First I'm going to stay with Daniel and Susanna.

It's going to take a long time to catch up.

I think I'll fly directly to Los Angeles.

I expect you'll be staying out there for a bit longer.

2.2Present continuous and present simple for the future

Start Point

I'm spending a few days sightseeing in New York. (present continuous = event intended or arranged)

Lectures start on the 27th July. (present simple = event as part of an official schedule)

Use present continuous for personal arrangements. Use present simple for timetabled/scheduled events. We can't use the present continuous for events not controlled by people: It's going to rain, not ~~It's raining this afternoon~~.

I'm meeting them at the airport.

The semester begins on 7th December.

2.3Future continuous, future perfect, future perfect continuous

Start Point

I'll be looking for my own place. (future continuous = something happening at a particular time in the future)

They'll have forgotten what I look like. (future perfect = event completed by a future point)

You'll have been living in California for nearly six months. (future perfect continuous = duration up to a future point)

These three forms can also express what we believe or imagine to be true about the present or past.

I'll be studying really hard during the semesters.

By the time you come, I'll have got to know LA really well.

You'll have been living in California for nearly six months.

Section 3 — Grammar Exercises

3.1 Complete the sentences using the verbs in the box. Choose the most appropriate form.

miss / will misswillis going to meltpersuadeswill rise'm starting outare havingwill be enjoyingsee

A: Do you want to come out for a meal tonight?
B: I early tomorrow morning – my flight's at six – so I don't think I'll come, thanks.

I some friends over for dinner on Saturday. Do you want to join us?'m having

They reckon the Greenland ice sheet within a few years.is going to melt

A: Yoshi doesn't want to come on holiday with us, then.
B: He says that now, but I'm sure Hannah him to change his mind.will persuade

By the middle of the week, temperatures to 30°C.will rise

I'm not sure when I'll be home tonight. Expect me when you me.see

A: The coach leaves Kiev at exactly 5.00 from the bus station.
B: What if I it?
A: You'll have to take the train.miss

A: It's Lucia's first week away at university. I wonder how she's getting on?
B: I'm sure she herself.will be enjoying

3.2 Choose the correct future form.

1 You'll freeze if you out dressed like that. Put on a warm coat!

2 When I retire next year, I a lot of travelling around South America.

3 Look at that stupid cyclist! He an accident.

4 A: What do you want done with this box?
B: If you just leave it there, I it upstairs when I go.

5 A: What this evening?
B: Oh, I don't know. Maybe I Lydia.

6 Please note that next week's concert at 7.00, not 7.30 as advertised in the programme.

7 A: Adele a concert in Milan next month.
B: I book some tickets?

8 When Stefan 50, Sofia 18.

3.3 Complete the sentences using a future form of the verbs given. Use the same future form for all three sentences in each group. Use: present simple · future continuous · be to + infinitive · be going to + infinitive · future perfect · future perfect continuous.

1 go · terminate

a All change, please – this train here.
b What time does our plane to Athens?get
c The cat runs away from me as soon as I near it.go

2 buy · have · need

a A: What are you going to town for? B: I some new shoes.'m going to buy
b A: Jane's not looking very well. B: No, apparently, she a major operation.'s going to have
c A: I've made a list of the things you for the field trip to Iceland. B: Thanks, that's really helpful.'re going to need

3 work · watch · negotiate

a On April 1st next year I at the university for 25 years.'ll have been working
b A: It's such a pity that Ella is away and can't watch the match with us. B: I'm sure she it on TV in her hotel room.'ll have been watching
c The next statement from the trade union leaders is expected at ten o'clock tonight. By that time they with the employers for 36 hours.'ll have been negotiating

4 come · support · do

a Justin's not feeling well, so he tonight after all.won't be coming
b Who in the world cup final, France or Brazil?will you be supporting
c A: What do you think Lola at the moment? B: Oh, she'll still be in bed.will be doing

5 create · leave · launch

a The computer firm Clarken 300 new jobs at its assembly plant just outside Dublin.is to create
b All mobile phones outside the examination room.are to be left
c The government an enquiry next week into allegations of corruption in the civil service.is to launch

6 analyse · move · have

a The bank predicts that by the end of next year, over 80% of its customers to online banking.will have moved
b Natasha her exam results by now. I wonder how she's got on.will have had
c My research is going rather slowly at the moment, but I'm certain by the end of the year all of my data .will have been analysed

7 go · have · make

a She a speech at the conference next week.'s making
b I out there – it's pouring with rain and I haven't got an umbrella.'m not going
c We risotto for dinner. Is that okay with you?'re having