Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.
Speaking tests ask about the future in three different ways, and each one needs different grammar.
Word order: probably goes after will but before won't: It'll probably rain. / It probably won't rain.
| Form | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | If I won some money, I'd travel round South America. | Past simple in the if-clause, would ('d) in the result. |
| With were | If I were the mayor, I'd ban cars from the centre. | Were is common with I, he and she, especially in advice (If I were you…). Was is also heard in everyday speech. |
| Questions | What would you do if you lost your passport abroad? | Answer in the same form: I'd probably… |
| Less certain results | If I had the chance, I might study abroad. | Might = perhaps I would; could = I would be able to. |
| Without an if-clause | I'd probably start with a short trip. I wouldn't want to go alone. | When the situation is already clear from the question. |
| Real or imagined? | If I pass, I'll celebrate. / If I passed, I'd be amazed. | If + present, will = a real possibility. If + past, would = imagined or unlikely. |
In natural speech, I would becomes I'd /aɪd/, I will becomes I'll /aɪl/, and it will becomes it'll /ˈɪtl/. Learners often drop the final /d/ or /l/, and that changes the meaning:
Keep the /d/ and /l/ short but audible, and link them to the next word: I'd‿ask, we'll‿always.
Question: “If you could live in any city in the world for a year, which would you choose?” Complete the answer with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Careful: the last two gaps are about a real plan, not an imagined one.
Listen and repeat. Keep the /d/ in I'd and the /l/ in it'll and we'll short but clear, and link them to the next word.
Listen to each sentence, then record yourself saying it the same way. Copy the rhythm, stress and intonation.
1.I'd love to live by the sea one day.
2.If I had more time, I'd learn to cook properly.
3.I'm starting a new course in September.
4.I think it'll probably get easier with time.
5.I doubt we'll ever stop using cash completely.
6.What would you do if you could work from anywhere?
No preparation time. Make a clear prediction, show how sure you are, give reasons, and include one “if” idea.
How do you think the way people work will change in the next twenty years?
No preparation time · 1:00 speaking
No preparation time. Stay in the conditional all the way through (I'd…, I'd probably…, it'd…). Speak for about 45 seconds.
Interviewer: Imagine your university offered you a free year to do any project you wanted, with full funding. What would you do with that year, and why?
No preparation time · 0:45 speaking
Save words to review them later with flashcards.
“I'm hoping to find a job abroad next year.”
“We're thinking of moving to the coast.”
“She took a year off before starting university.”
“I'm saving up for a new laptop.”
“Machines have taken over many factory jobs.”
“Many drivers may need to retrain in the future.”
“The warehouse is almost completely automated.”
“Solar panels save money in the long run.”
“It's unlikely that prices will fall this year.”
“If I were you, I'd book the tickets early.”
“The research project lost its funding.”
