What does the future hold?
1 Write predictions using the information in the table.The
1 . It is predicted that climate change issues will continue.
2 . It is predicted that …
3 . It is predicted that …
4 . It is predicted that … ___________________________ .
5 . It is predicted that …
6 . It is predicted that … ___________________________ .
7 . It is predicted that …
___________________________ .
___________________________
.
___________________________
.
.
___________________________
first one has been done for you.
2 Complete the predictions using will or won’t and the verbs in
brackets. Use contractions where possible. Here are some things I’m going to do to help the environment.
I ’ll turn off (turn off) any electrical things I’m not using, and I ___________ (not leave) my phone charger plugged in ... that’s a bad habit of mine. What else?
Well, it ___________ (not be) possible to stop taking flights because I have to travel for my job, but I ___________ (use) public transport as often as I can, rather than drive a car. I ___________ (not give up) meat, but I ___________(eat) less of it. I think there 7 ___________(be) more opportunities to buy organic food, too. And I ___________ (try) to recycle more things than I do right now.
3
Now, what about you? In pairs, talk about what you will do to do to help the environment.
4 Match the questions (1–4) with the responses (a–d).
1 Will we eat less meat in the future?
a No, they definitely won’t be.
2 Will all foods be organic in the future?
b No, I don’t.
3 Will he grow his own vegetables?
cYes, we probably will.
4 Do you think food will cost more?
dYes, I think he will.
5 Use the information in brackets to complete the sentences.
1 She ___________(✗ definitely) give up meat.
2 Genetically modified food ___________(✓ probably) become more popular.
3 I ___________(✗ think) sustainable farming will get easier.
4They ___________(✗ probably) shop for locally-produced food.
5 I think I ___________(✓ definitely) eat more organic food this year.
Making Predictions
In 1900, anAmerican 2000. Many of his predictions television, mobile phones,
However, predictions
“The telephone [cannot]
— Western Union memo,
“I have no faith in [flying
— WilliamThomson,
American engineer, John Watkins, made some predictions about life in predictions were correct.Among other things, Watkins predicted phones, and digital photographs. predictions are often very difficult to get right. Here are some examples: [cannot] be seriously considered as a means of communication.” memo, 1876 [flying machines] other than ballooning.” Thomson, British scientist, 1899
“All the calculations . . . in this country could be done on three digital computers. No one else would ever need machines of their own, or would be able to afford to buy them.”
— Cambridge University Professor Douglas Hartree, 1951
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
—Thomas Watson, president of IBM, 1943
“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”
— Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977
What Will Life Be Like in 2035? Discuss the ideas below.
Here are some experts’predictions for life in 2035:
• Most cars will be electric, and they will drive by themselves.
Most of our energy will come from the sun, not oil. • People will be able to record and replay their memories. • Most families will own a robot.
• Some robots will have rights, such as the right to own property or run a business.
•
What predictions for 2035 are likely to happen, in your opinion?
What predictions for 2035 are not likely to happen? Why not?