Lesson 40 · Speaking
Speaking — Cambridge B1 Preliminary Part 3 & Writing informal email
Your task
Describe a plan for a future event (a trip, a party, a work project) that has at least two possible outcomes. Use at least 4 first conditionals and 3 future time clauses (when/as soon as/until/before/after).
How to do it
Contingency plans are a natural, high-scoring way to use this grammar. (1) State the main plan with a time clause: 'As soon as we arrive, we'll check in.' (2) Add a real condition: 'If it's fully booked, we'll try the other hotel.' (3) Use 'unless' at least once for variety — examiners notice it. (4) Sequence with until/before/after. (5) Keep every if/when/until clause in the present tense — this is the single most checked accuracy point at this level.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • What's a promise you've made recently that starts with 'If…' or 'As soon as…'? Did you keep it?
- • What warning do you often give someone — a child, a colleague, a friend? ('If you don't…, you'll…')
- • What will you do as soon as this lesson finishes? What will you do before you go to bed?
Model answer
As soon as we land, we'll head straight to the hotel. If the room's not ready, we'll leave our bags and go for lunch. We won't check the museum tickets until we've confirmed the room, because unless we're sure of the times, we might double-book something. Before we go out on the first night, we'll check the weather — if it's cold, we'll take a different route to the restaurant. Once we've settled in, I think the whole trip will run pretty smoothly.
Pair / class extension: Role-play 'Planning something with a backup plan' — a trip, a party, a work event. Discuss what will happen under different conditions, using at least 4 first conditionals and 3 future time clauses. One person should raise a possible problem; the other should propose a backup plan.
Giving opinions
Share what you think clearly and naturally.
- On the whole, I think…“On the whole, I think remote work suits me better.”
- In my view, …“In my view, schools should teach financial literacy.”
- If you ask me, …“If you ask me, it's not worth the money.”
- To be honest, …“To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the film.”
- I'd say (that)…“I'd say that's the best one.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Agreeing & disagreeing
Respond to opinions without sounding aggressive or weak.
- Absolutely / Definitely.“Absolutely — that's exactly what I meant.”
- I see your point, but…“I see your point, but I'd look at it differently.”
- I'm not so sure about that.“I'm not so sure about that — it depends on the price.”
- Yes and no.“Yes and no — partly true, but it's more complicated.”
- I'd have to disagree.“I'd have to disagree there — I had a great experience.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Asking questions politely
Soften questions for strangers, customer service, formal contexts.
- Could you tell me…?“Could you tell me where platform 4 is?”
- Do you know…?“Do you know what time it closes?”
- Would you mind + -ing?“Would you mind repeating that?”
- I was wondering if…“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Clarifying & checking
Make sure you've understood — without saying 'What?'.
- Sorry, do you mean…?“Sorry, do you mean Monday next week or this week?”
- Just to check, …“Just to check, that's £40 each, right?”
- So what you're saying is…“So what you're saying is we should leave earlier.”
- Could you say that again?“Could you say that again — I missed the last part.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Reactions & follow-ups
Keep conversations alive instead of letting them die.
- Oh really? / No way!“A: I quit my job. — B: No way! When?”
- Have you? / Did you? / Are you?“A: I've moved to Lisbon. — B: Have you?! How is it?”
- How come?“How come you decided to do that?”
- What's that like?“What's that like — working remotely full-time?”
- How about you?“I love thrillers. How about you?”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Suggesting & negotiating
Make plans, propose solutions, find middle ground.
- Why don't we…?“Why don't we meet halfway?”
- How about + -ing?“How about going to the Thai place?”
- Shall we…?“Shall we say 7pm then?”
- Would it work if…?“Would it work if we pushed it to Friday?”
- I'm easy / I don't mind.“I'm easy — whatever suits you.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Storytelling & anecdotes
Hold attention when you tell a story or share news.
- You'll never guess what happened.“You'll never guess what happened on the way here.”
- So basically, …“So basically, we missed the train by 30 seconds.”
- All of a sudden, …“All of a sudden, the lights went out.”
- Long story short, …“Long story short, we ended up driving instead.”
- Anyway, …“Anyway, that's how I met your dad.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Hedging & diplomacy
Soften strong opinions, disagree politely, sound less abrupt.
- It might be worth + -ing“It might be worth checking the schedule first.”
- I'd probably…“I'd probably go for the smaller one.”
- I'm not entirely sure, but…“I'm not entirely sure, but I think it closes at 6.”
- That's a fair point, although…“That's a fair point, although there's another side to it.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.