Talking about the Future

What does the present progressive express?

• Strong intentions or commitments for the future

• Something that will begin in the future and continue in the future

• Something that is possible or probable in the future

• Something that's happening now and will continue in the future

What does "going to" express?

• Strong intentions or commitments for the future

• Something that's happening now and will continue in the future

• Something that is possible or probable in the future

• Something that will begin in the future and continue in the future

What does the future progressive express?

• Something that will begin in the future and continue in the future

• Something that's happening now and will continue in the future

• Something that is possible or probable in the future

• Strong intentions or commitments for the future

What does "may/might or will" express?

• Something that's happening now and will continue in the future

• Strong intentions or commitments for the future

• Something that is possible or probable in the future

• Something that will begin in the future and continue in the future

Which sentence expresses that the city has the intention to start investing in renewable energy in the future.

• The city will be investing in renewable energy to reduce pollution.

• The city is going to invest in renewable energy to reduce pollution.

Answer explanation

Both sentences express the city's plan to invest in renewable energy and reduce pollution. 'Will be investing,' emphasizes the ongoing nature of the investment, while 'going to invest,' focuses on the city's intention or strong commitment to carrying out the investment in the future.

Which sentence expresses that, in the future, people will start living, and continue living in smart cities.

• People will be living in smart cities where technology connects everything.

• People are going to live in smart cities where technology connects everything.

Answer explanation

In both cases, it shows a future where people live in smart cities with advanced technology, but 'will be living,' emphasizes the ongoing nature, while 'going to live,' focuses on the intention or plan for people to live in such cities.

Which sentence expresses that the city has begun improving parks and will continue improving them into the future.

• City officials are improving public parks to make them more enjoyable.

• City officials will be improving public parks to make them more enjoyable.

Answer explanation

The first sentence (are improving) tells us that city officials are currently working on making public parks more enjoyable. The second sentence (will be improving) tells us that city officials have a plan to begin working on improving public parks in the future.

Which sentence expresses a general statement or prediction about robots delivering packages?

• Robots will deliver packages to our homes.

• Robots will be delivering packages to our homes.

Answer explanation

"When we use 'will deliver,' it means that in the future, the robots will do it once or a few times, like a single event. On the other hand, when we use 'will be delivering,' it suggests that the robots will keep doing it for a period of time, repeatedly. It emphasizes the ongoing and continuous nature of the action."

Complete this sentence with the option that expresses that something has already started and will continue in the future. 

The city ______ smart streetlights that automatically adjust brightness based on the surrounding environment.

• may install

• will be installing

• is installing

• is going to install

Complete this sentence with the option that expresses a plan for an ongoing action that will begin in the future.

The city ______ waste management systems that prioritise recycling and composting.

• is implementing

• is going to implement

• will implement

• will be implementing