Module 9 · Unit 9 — Science, Innovation & The Future
Speaking About the Future
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Lesson 5 of 5

Speaking About the Future

Core 60 min
Pathway

Lesson 9.5 closes Unit 9 with Speaking Part 2 (imagine a scenario) and Part 3 prediction / speculation, plus a Unit 9 review.

What you'll be able to do
  • Handle 'imagine a scenario' Part 2 cards
  • Speculate about the future using hedging language
  • Review Unit 9 grammar and vocabulary
Speaking Task

Speaking · Part 2 — Imagine a scenario

Cue card

Describe a technology you think will exist in 20 years. You should say: what it will do, who will use it, why it will be useful, and how it might change everyday life.

1-minute plan
01
20s
Name the tech + one-line description ('a wearable AI translator').
02
30s
Who + why + 1 specific example ('office workers in multinational teams — imagine leading a meeting in three languages simultaneously').
03
10s
Broader impact + your view.
Speaking Task

Speaking · Part 3 — Prediction & speculation

  • Do you think people will rely more or less on technology in the future?
  • What kinds of jobs might disappear because of AI?
  • Is it possible to predict future technology accurately?
Speculation — 'jobs disappearing'
Band 6 · Competent
  • 'I think some jobs will disappear because of AI, for example factory jobs.'
Band 7 · Good
  • 'It's quite likely that routine, rules-based roles — think basic bookkeeping or first-line customer service — will be largely automated within a decade. What's less obvious is that many creative and interpersonal roles could actually expand, precisely because AI can't replicate the human element.'
Focus

Pathway focus · Academic speculation

Academic-track candidates: use 'the evidence suggests', 'it seems plausible that', 'one could argue …'.

Key Takeaways

Unit 9 review

  1. Give the 4 future forms from 9.1 with an example of each.
  2. Recall the 4-step matching-information method from 9.2.
  3. Give three signposting phrases from 9.3.
  4. State the two-part-question rule from 9.4.
Exam Strategy

Exam Strategy

  • Exam Tip

    Speculation = hedging language. 'It's likely / possible / plausible' > 'It will definitely'.

Independent Practice

Independent Practice

Part 2 record

Record yourself on the cue card. Aim for 90–110 seconds.

Vocab recall

Cover meanings, recall the 10 items from 9.1.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Remember
  • Predictions live in hedged language.
  • Unit 9 = future tenses + AI/space lexis + two-part essays.
When you're done, mark this lesson complete.
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