19.1 Degrees of probability
Presentation
You will hear a conversation between a detective and his chief. Listen to the tape and answer the questions.
What has happened ? What is happening ?
Who are: (a) Hammond? (b) Cornfield?
The Chief makes a number of predictions about what Hammond will do. Note them down in the correct place in the box below.
He will certainly do this |
|
He will probably do this |
|
Perhaps he will do this |
|
He probably won’t do this |
|
He certainly won’t do this |
|
What other prediction expressions does the Chief use, apart from those given in the table?
Practice
Work in pairs. Imagine you are the Detective and his Chief. Using your notes, have conversations as in the example.
Example Detective: Do you think he’ll get in touch with Cornfield ?
Chief: Yes, I expect he’ll get in touch with him.
19.2 Reassuring predictions Practice
Don is just going to start doing his national service in the army. He’s talking to some friends.
Work in grous. Have similar conservations using the expression below.
I expect I should think |
may might could |
I don’t expect I shouldn’t think I doubt if |
You’re worried about:
an exam you’re going to take
going on holiday alone
having a baby
your new job that starts next week
going on a blind date
19.3 If & unless Practice
Example: Will the price of oil continue to rise?
I’m sure it will go up if we carry on using as much oil as we do now.
The price of oil may go down if we discover a lot of new oilfields.
Oil prices will certainly continue to rise unless we develop solar energy.
Answer these other questions using if and unless:
Will the world’s population continue to grow ?
Will unemployment get worse?
Will there be another world war?
Now ask similar questions about things that are in the news.
19.4 WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?
Free practice
Cordelia is thinking of getting a dog. She wants to know:
1. what she’ll have to do
2. what she’ll be able to do
3. what she won’t be able to do
Tell her what to expect.
Work in pairs. You are thinking of doing one of the things below, and you want to know what it will be like. Decide exactly what you want to know. Then ask your partner.
going to live in England
going to university
taking a holiday job as a waiter/waitress
opening a bank account
Writing
Write part of a letter to someone who is thinking of doing one of these things, telling him/her what to expect.