B2.1 Blog: October 2007

Future Plans and Arrangements

Going to vs Will:

Exercise 1
Exercise 2

Now you can listen to a very clear explanation from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1649_gramchallenge34/

Nuala’s Grammar Explanation
Today we’re looking at and contrasting two ways to talk about future plans, using ‘going to’ and
‘will’.
In an earlier programme we saw that ‘going to’ can be used to talk about your intentions or
decisions for the future.
Example sentences
I’m going to study medicine at university.
I’m going to visit my mother at the weekend.
I’m going to get a new car on Saturday.
‘Will’, on the other hand, can used to talk about future decisions made at the moment of
speaking for things that aren’t planned. Listen:
Diarmuid: I’ll go up to bed now.
In this example, the speaker hasn’t planned to go to bed early but because he suddenly feels tired
he decides to go to bed. Mary, on the other hand, has planned to finish reading part of her book
so says:
Mary: I’m just going to finish reading this chapter.
‘Will’ is a modal form and doesn’t change whatever the subject and it’s followed by the
infinitive without ‘to’. In spoken English we tend to contract will (I will, I’ll, you will, you’ll
and so on). Listen:
Diarmuid: I’ll go up to bed now.
Mary: … then I’ll come right up.

So, to recap then: We can use ‘going to’ to talk about intentions or decisions for the future and
we can use ‘will’ to talk about decisions made at the moment of speaking.
Find out more
Subject will base infinitive
I
s / he
you
we
they
will
'll
go to bed now.
have an early night.
go to the shops, if you like.
answer the door.
bring a cake.
look after it for you.

Practice activities

Will and going to
Exercise 1:
Some friends are going to have a party and they are discussing the arrangements. Match the
beginnings and ends of the suggestions they make.
1. I’ve got a printer so a. I’ll bring my guitar.
2. I’m good at baking so b. I’ll make the invitations.
3. I’ve got loads of CDs so c. I’ll supply the flowers.
4. I live near the supermarket so d. I’ll bring them.
5. I’ve got a big garden so e. I’ll buy the drinks.
6.
I’ve just had a party and I’ve got
some left-over paper plates.
f. I’ll bring some sausages.
7. I work in a butchers shop so g. I’ll make a cake.
8. If we want to have some live music
h. I’ll organise the music.

Will and going to
Exercise 2:
Read the sentences and choose the best option from the choices below to complete the text.
I.
A: I’ve booked the tickets. I’m so glad (1)__________ to Spain on holiday.
B: When (2)__________ ?
II.
A: I’m off to the shops. Do you want anything?
B: Let me think … oh yes, I need some stamps.
A: OK, no problem, (3) __________ to the post office anyway to send Mum’s birthday present
so I’ll get some while I’m there.
III.
A: Does anyone want to come to the cinema with me tonight?
B: Sure! (4)__________ with you. I haven’t got any plans for this evening.
IV.
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I don’t know. Maybe (5)__________ some studying or I might not!
A: I’ve booked a tennis court but can’t find anyone to play with me.
B: (6)__________with you. That’s sounds much more fun than studying!
Options
(1) I’m going to visit / I’ll visit
(2) will you go / are you going
(3) I’ll pop in / I’m going to pop in
(4) I’m going to come / I’ll come
(5) I’m going to do / I’ll do
(6) I’ll play / I’m going to play

Will and going to
Exercise 1: ANSWERS
Some friends are going to have a party and they are discussing the arrangements. Match the
beginnings and ends of the suggestions they make.
1. I’ve got a printer so b. I’ll make the invitations.
2. I’m good at baking so g. I’ll make a cake.
3. I’ve got loads of CDs so h. I’ll organise the music.
4. I live near the supermarket so e. I’ll buy the drinks.
5. I’ve got a big garden so c. I’ll supply the flowers.
6.
I’ve just had a party and I’ve got
some left-over paper plates.
d. I’ll bring them.
7. I work in a butchers shop so f. I’ll bring some sausages.
8. If we want to have some live music,
a. I’ll bring my guitar.
BBC Learning English – Grammar Challenge
Grammar Challenge © BBC Learning English 2007
Page 5 of 5
bbclearningenglish.com
Will and going to
Exercise 2: ANSWERS
Read the sentences and choose the best option from the choices below to complete the text.
I.
A: I’ve booked the tickets. I’m so glad (1)__________ to Spain on holiday.
B: When (2)__________ ?
II.
A: I’m off to the shops. Do you want anything?
B: Let me think … oh yes, I need some stamps.
A: OK, no problem, (3) __________ to the post office anyway to send Mum’s birthday present
so I’ll get some while I’m there.
III.
A: Does anyone want to come to the cinema with me tonight?
B: Sure! (4)__________ with you. I haven’t got any plans for this evening.
IV.
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I don’t know. Maybe (5)__________ some studying or I might not!
A: I’ve booked a tennis court but can’t find anyone to play with me.
B: (6)__________with you. That’s sounds much more fun than studying!
ANSWERS
(1) I’m going to visit
(2) are you going
(3) I’m going to pop in
(4) I’ll come
(5) I’ll do
(6) I’ll play

Present Continuous:
Notes
Notes and exercises

The Sounds of English

You can practise your pronunciation listening to the sounds. Link

Dear Mr President

Listen to the song and fill in the gaps

Dear Mr. President
Come take a ______ with me
Let's _______ we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we ______ speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray _______ at night before you go to _______
What do you feel when you look in the _______
Are you _______

How do you sleep while the rest of us _______
How do you dream when a mother has no ________to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held _____
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why

Dear Mr. President
Were you a _______ boy
Are you a _______ boy
Are you a _______ boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not ________and we're not ______
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to ______

What kind of father would take his own __________ rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she _______ gay
I can only imagine what the first lady _______ say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to _____ goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you about hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you about hard work
Rebuilding your house after the ________ took them away
Let me tell you about hard work
Building a bed out of a __________box
Let me tell you about hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing about hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
__________?

Now check your answers

Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why

Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would You?

Write an email to the future You

Here you have the possibility of sending yourself a message. It may be a good idea to receive it at the end of this academic year (May) and see if you have met your expectations. Link

Elizabeth

Astrologer: When the storm breaks, some are dumb with terror and some spread their wings like eagles and soar.
Elizabeth: You are a wise man.
Astrologer: … You, Madame, are a very great lady. Link

(You Want to) Make a Memory

Listen to the song and fill in the gaps:
(You Want To) Make a Memory

Hello again, it's you and me Kinda always like it ________ be Sippin' wine, killing time Trying to solve life's mysteries How's your life, it's been a while God it's good to see you _______I see you reaching for your keys Looking for a reason not to leave If you don't know if you ________ stay If you don't say what's on your mind Baby just breathe There's nowhere else tonight we _________ be You wanna make a memory? I dug up this old photograph Look at all that hair we had. It's bittersweet to hear you _______Your phone is ringing I don't wanna ask [(You Want To) Make a Memory lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]If you go now, I ____________ If you stay, hey, I've got a plan We're ___________make a memory You _________ steal a piece of time You can sing the melody to me And I can write a couple of lines You wanna make a memory? If you don't know if you ________ stay And you don't say what's on your mind Baby just breathe There's nowhere else tonight we __________ be We Should beYou ________make a memoryYou ________ steal a piece of time You can sing the melody to me And I can write a couple of lines You wanna make a memory? (x2)
Hello again, it's you and me Kinda always like it used to be Sippin' wine, killing time Trying to solve life's mysteries How's your life, it's been a while God it's good to see you smile I see you reaching for your keys Looking for a reason not to leave If you don't know if you should stay If you don't say what's on your mind Baby just breathe There's nowhere else tonight we should be You wanna make a memory? I dug up this old photograph Look at all that hair we had. It's bittersweet to hear you laugh Your phone is ringing I don't wanna ask [(You Want To) Make a Memory lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]If you go now, I'll understand If you stay, hey, I've got a plan We're gonna make a memory You wanna steal a piece of time You can sing the melody to me And I can write a couple of lines You wanna make a memory? If you don't know if you should stay And you don't say what's on your mind Baby just breathe There's nowhere else tonight we should be We Should beYou wanna make a memoryYou wanna steal a piece of time You can sing the melody to me And I can write a couple of lines You wanna make a memory? (x2)

Video about the importance of learning English

Relax, Take it Easy

You can find the lyrics and some exercises here

You can find the translation here

Question Tags

Now you can practice:
Quiz

Question Tags

You can read the grammar section of this site:
Grammar

Present Perfect

You can practise on this site:

Form, use and exercises

This slide show may also help you.

Present Perfect Simple or Continuous

This site tells you the forms and uses:

Click here

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Listen to the song and fill in the gaps:

I ________ highest mountain
I __________ through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I _______
I ___________
I __________ these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still __________ what I'm looking for
But I still __________ what I'm looking for

I __________ honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I __________ with the tongue of angels
I __________ the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still __________ what I'm looking for
But I still ____________ what I'm looking for

I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it

But I still _________ what I'm looking for
But I still _________ what I'm looking for
But I still _________ what I'm looking for
But I still _________ what I'm looking for...

Now check your answers:

I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...