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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 18

Uncertainty

Themed Conversation: The Future of Society

Expression Chunks

I'm not entirely sure whether + clause

Meaning: Expresses uncertainty about which possibility is true.

Sample sentence: I'm not entirely sure whether people will work fewer hours in the future.

Use it in your answer:

  • Do you think people will work fewer hours in the future?Answer using: I'm not entirely sure whether...
  • Will technology make everyday life less stressful?Answer using: I'm not entirely sure whether...
  • Do you think cities will become better places to live?Answer using: I'm not entirely sure whether...
  • Will younger generations define success differently?Answer using: I'm not entirely sure whether...
  • Do you think people will have more free time in twenty years?Answer using: I'm not entirely sure whether...

It's hard to say whether + clause

Meaning: Used when there is not enough information to give a confident answer.

Sample sentence: It's hard to say whether technology will make everyday life less stressful.

Use it in your answer:

  • Do you think people will work fewer hours in the future?Answer using: It's hard to say whether...
  • Will technology make everyday life less stressful?Answer using: It's hard to say whether...
  • Do you think cities will become better places to live?Answer using: It's hard to say whether...
  • Will younger generations define success differently?Answer using: It's hard to say whether...
  • Do you think people will have more free time in twenty years?Answer using: It's hard to say whether...

I could be wrong, but + clause

Meaning: Softens an opinion or prediction by admitting that it may be mistaken.

Sample sentence: I could be wrong, but I think younger generations will redefine what a successful life looks like.

Use it in your answer:

  • Do you think people will work fewer hours in the future?Answer using: I could be wrong, but...
  • Will technology make everyday life less stressful?Answer using: I could be wrong, but...
  • Do you think cities will become better places to live?Answer using: I could be wrong, but...
  • Will younger generations define success differently?Answer using: I could be wrong, but...
  • Do you think people will have more free time in twenty years?Answer using: I could be wrong, but...

Question Chunks

Do you get the sense that + clause?

Sample question: Do you get the sense that society is changing faster?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

How certain are you that + clause?

Sample question: How certain are you that people will work fewer hours in the future?

Construct 5 of your own questions using the same format:

  1. ______________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________

Topic Phrasal Verbs

Themed Conversation: The Future of Society

move toward

Definition: gradually develop in a direction

Sample sentence: Many workplaces are moving toward more flexible arrangements.

Practice questions:

  • What kind of society do you think we’re moving toward?
  • Are workplaces moving toward more flexibility?
  • Do you think your country is moving toward a cashless society?
  • What positive change would you like society to move toward?
  • Are people moving toward healthier or less healthy lifestyles?

die out

Definition: gradually disappear

Sample sentence: Some traditions may die out if younger people stop practicing them.

Practice questions:

  • What tradition do you think might die out?
  • Are there jobs that could die out in the future?
  • What everyday object might die out because of technology?
  • Should governments try to stop local languages from dying out?
  • What is something old-fashioned that you hope never dies out?

bring about

Definition: cause something to happen

Sample sentence: New technology can bring about unexpected social changes.

Practice questions:

  • What invention has brought about the biggest change in your lifetime?
  • What could bring about major improvements in education?
  • Do you think AI will bring about more positive or negative changes?
  • What event brought about a major change in your own life?
  • What social change would you like to help bring about?

Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions

  • What changes in society have surprised you during your lifetime?
  • Do you think life is changing faster now than it did in the past?
  • What everyday habit do you think might die out in the next twenty years?
  • What new social norm do you think will become completely normal?
  • Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future? Why?
  • Do you think people will have more or less free time in the future?
  • How might family life change over the next few decades?
  • What problems do you think future generations will have to solve?
  • What positive change would you most like technology to bring about?
  • If you could see the world fifty years from now, what would you want to look at first?