The Last Word
Speaking skill

Speculating About the Future

Questions about what might happen in the future - to you, to society, to technology - are a chance to show off natural, hedged predictions. This skill is about swapping vague shrugs and overconfident statements for graded likelihood language, a specific prediction, and a time frame.

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Common mistake

'Maybe' / 'I don't know' answer to a future question

"Why isn't 'Maybe, I don't know' a good answer to 'Would you like to do X in the future?'"

It dodges the question instead of answering it - swap the shrug for a likelihood phrase like 'it's quite likely' or 'I'll probably...', then add a rough time frame so it sounds like a real guess, not an excuse.

Why this works
— Open with a likelihood phrase instead of a flat guess Phrases like "it's quite likely" or "I'll probably..." show you're speculating responsibly about something uncertain, instead of a flat "maybe" that sounds like you're avoiding the question.
— Add a rough time frame A time phrase like "in the next few years" or "in a short time" turns a vague possibility into something that sounds planned-out, instead of a random guess.
Weak
Maybe. I don't really know.
Upgraded
I'd quite like to try rock climbing - it's quite likely I'll give it a go in the next few years, once I've got a bit fitter.
Weak
I don't know, maybe.
Upgraded
I'll probably try surfing at some point - a few of my friends already do it, so I imagine I'll join them in a short time.
Weak
Maybe, I'm not sure.
Upgraded
It's quite probable, actually - once I move into a bigger place, I'll probably get a dog in only a couple of years.
Common mistake

Flat, overconfident prediction with no hedge or reason

"How do I avoid sounding too sure when I predict what will happen in the future?"

A prediction is never 100% certain, so swap a flat 'X will happen' for graded likelihood language like 'it's highly likely that...', and open with a reason grounded in what's true right now.

Why this works
— Use graded likelihood language instead of a flat 'will' "It's highly likely that..." or "it's quite probable that..." shows you know a prediction is a guess, not a fact - a bare "X will happen" sounds like you're certain, which examiners notice as unnatural.
— Open with 'given / considering / since' plus today's situation Grounding the prediction in something true right now gives the examiner a reason to believe the prediction, instead of just a guess dropped with no support.
Weak
AI will do everything for us.
Upgraded
Given how fast AI is developing right now, it's highly likely that we'll be relying on it for most repetitive tasks in the next few years, from scheduling to basic customer service.
Weak
Robots will take all the jobs.
Upgraded
Considering how fast automation is spreading, it's quite probable that a lot of repetitive jobs will have disappeared within the next two decades, though I doubt it'll replace jobs that need real human judgement.
Weak
Teachers won't be needed anymore.
Upgraded
Since so much learning already happens online, it's possible that teachers will be spending less time lecturing and more time supporting students one-on-one in the next few years.
Common mistake

'Yes/No, I think so' answer with no actual prediction

"How do I answer 'Do you think X will happen?' without just saying 'Yes, I think so'?"

A flat yes or no doesn't tell the examiner anything - name the specific change you expect, and pin it to a rough time frame using a future form like 'will have + past participle' or 'will be + -ing'.

Why this works
— Say exactly what will be different, not just yes or no Naming the specific change - what will actually happen - gives the examiner real content to follow, instead of a bare confirmation that answers the question but adds nothing.
— Pin the prediction to a rough time frame A phrase like "by 2030" or "in the next two decades" makes the prediction sound planned-out rather than guessed on the spot.
Weak
No, I don't think so.
Upgraded
No, I don't think they will be - by the time I'm a bit older, I'll probably be getting all my news from apps instead of an actual newspaper.
Weak
Yes, I think so.
Upgraded
Yes, I'd say so - I imagine that in the next two decades, robots will be having pretty natural conversations, even if they still can't fully understand emotions.
Weak
I don't know, maybe the same.
Upgraded
I think I'll probably use it less, actually - by 2030 I'll have bought a car, so I won't need the bus as often.
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