Mark Teacher’s Free Weekly IELTS Newsletter
Week 4: Plans
Plans can always change! Knowing how to use ‘It depends’ can help you explain how your actions and answers can change in different circumstances or situations. Watch the video below to learn about ‘It depends’!
https://youtu.be/t3gFQmACm4g
IELTS Warm-up Questions: Plans
Warm-up Questions:
- Are you an organised person?
- Do you have a diary or any apps on your phone to help you make plans?
- Do you have any plans to see your friends soon?
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IELTS Grammar Lesson
What’s the best grammar to use to talk about Plans? Keep reading to find out!
Grammar Lesson:
Did you know you can use the Present Continuous to talk about your future? 😮
When we talk about the future, most students usually use ‘will’.
For example:
- We will travel to Vietnam in January.
- I will take my IELTS test next month.
- My parents will visit me tomorrow!
This is 100% correct!
But, did you know that you can also use the Present Continuous (Progressive) tense?
If you are very certain or very sure of a plan, like a holiday, a meeting, an event or a trip, you can say:
- We are travelling to Vietnam in January. = (We bought the tickets and booked the hotel – we are confident this will happen – We do not want to change our plan).
- I am taking my IELTS test next month. = (I booked the exam, I know the date and the test centre – I will not change my plan).
- My parents are visiting me tomorrow! = (They told me they will come at 11am. It’s very unlikely they will change their plan.)
Now you try! Change these sentences to the Present Continuous to talk about future plans.
The Present Continuous
[Subject] + [be verb] + [verb-ing]
For example:
- I (go) shopping this afternoon.
= I am going shopping this afternoon.
- I (move) to a new apartment in a few weeks.
= __________________________________________
- She (graduate) with a Master’s degree at the end of the semester.
= __________________________________________
- They (fly) to the Maldives for their honeymoon.
= __________________________________________
- We (have) a baby! What a surprise!
= __________________________________________
- I (go) on a diet starting on Monday!!!
= __________________________________________
Sentence Patterns for Plans
In English there are lots of different ways to talk about your current intentions and your future plans. Here is a list of phrases that describe things you want to do or things you have wanted to do for a while, but haven’t had the opportunity to do yet.
Here are some examples:
- I’m planning on + verb-ing
“I’m planning on going to the Philippines next summer.”
- I am preparing to + verb
“I’m preparing to take my IELTS test in a few weeks time.”
- I am aiming to + verb
“I’m aiming to pass my driving test on the first attempt!”
- I’ve been wanting to + verb
“I’ve been wanting to call my grandparents and talk to them, but I never have enough time.”
- I’ve been meaning to + verb
“Hello John! I’ve been meaning to text you, I haven’t seen you in ages!”
All of these phrases describe your intentions and plans for the near future!
- Are there any countries you’ve been wanting to visit?
- Is there a friend or a family member you’ve been meaning to call?
- Is there a test or exam you are planning to take?
Loving the Grammar Lesson? Get the Complete Edition of my IELTS Speaking E-book, Audio Book and Workbook below!
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IELTS Vocabulary and Levelled Reading
Read these 3 levels of about ‘Plans’. Every level becomes more difficult but every level has the same meaning. The new words are highlighted, so if you don’t understand a word in Level 2, look back at Level 1 to find the easier synonym! This is a great way to learn new vocabulary!
Level 1: Beginner Level 2: Intermediate Level 3: Advanced
IELTS Question #1: How do you usually organise your time?
- Level 1: Usually I use the calendar app on my smartphone because it helps me remember my plans for the day. Sometimes I have a lot of work to do, so it’s helpful to be able to write all my tasks so I don’t forget.
- Level 2: Typically I use the calendar app on my smartphone because it helps keep track of my plans for the day. Sometimes I have a lot of work to do, so it’s handy to be able to write all my tasks down so I don’t forget.
- Level 3: Typically, I use the calendar app on my smartphone because it helps me keep track of my plans for the day. Sometimes I have a lot on my plate, so it’s handy to be able to jot all my tasks down so they don’t slip my mind.
IELTS Question #2: What is the hardest part about making plans?
- Level 1: As an adult, I think the hardest thing is finding time when both you and your friends are free! Lots of my friends’ schedules are full, so it’s hard to meet and talk to them. If they have children then it’s even more difficult to see them. Also, sometimes people agree to a plan, then they cancel just before we meet.
- Level 2: As an adult, I think the hardest thing is finding time when both you and your friends are free! Lots of my friends’ schedules are fully booked, so it’s hard to catch up with them. If they have children then it’s even more difficult to see them. Also, sometimes people to agree to a plan, then they bail out just before we meet.
- Level 3: As a grown up, I think the trickiest thing is finding time when both you and your friends are free! Lots of my friends’ schedules are fully booked, so it’s hard to catch up with them. If they have children then it’s even more difficult to see them. As well as that, sometimes people agree to a plan, then they bail out at the last second.
Links and Resources
You can find even more IELTS-appropriate vocabulary, collocations and phrases about Plans here:
Article: Do you want to be more organised? Read about the best planner and calendar apps (lots of great vocabulary here too).
IELTS Practice Questions
Putting it all together:
Try these Part 1 IELTS Questions all about Plans!
- Are you good at organising your time?
- How do you usually organise your time
- Do you make plans every day?
- What is the latest plan you made?
- What is the hardest part about making plans?
Why not go back and answer the warm up questions with your new skills?
Bonus Material! – Would you like to hear MY answers to the latest Part 1 IELTS Speaking Questions?
You can! 😀
Listen to Topic #6 – ‘Plans’ to hear 5 Part 1 questions & answers by a native English speaker and IELTS tutor! (Me!)
