IELTS Speaking Part 3 Future Predictions: Advanced Language

Quick Answer: In IELTS Speaking Part 3, you need to discuss future trends, possibilities, and hypothetical scenarios. Using advanced language like modal verbs (might, could, may), conditional structures (if…then), and hedging phrases (it is likely that, there is a strong possibility) demonstrates a higher band score. This guide provides the exact vocabulary, grammar, and sample answers to help you sound natural and sophisticated.

Table of Contents

Why Future Predictions Matter in Part 3

Advanced Grammar Structures for Predictions

High-Level Vocabulary for Future Talk

Band Score Comparison Table

Why Future Predictions Matter in Part 3

IELTS Speaking Part 3 is the “discussion” section where the examiner asks abstract questions about society, technology, environment, and education. A common theme is future predictions – for example:

“How do you think education will change in the next 20 years?”

“Will people still use cash in the future?”

“What might be the biggest challenge for cities in the coming decades?”

To score Band 7+, you must move beyond simple “will” and “going to”. Examiners look for:

Range of future forms (future perfect, future continuous, conditionals)

Hedging language (to show you are speculating, not stating facts)

Complex sentence structures (subordinate clauses, inversions)

Topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., urbanisation, automation, sustainability)

Advanced Grammar Structures for Predictions

Use modals to express different levels of certainty:

Modal	Meaning	Example
will	high certainty (but avoid overuse)	“People will rely more on renewable energy.”
should	expected (based on logic)	“The cost of electric cars should fall over the next decade.”
may/might/could	possibility (lower certainty)	“Artificial intelligence could replace many administrative jobs.”
might not / may not	negative possibility	“Traditional classrooms might not exist in 50 years.”

2. Future Perfect and Future Continuous

These tenses show a more sophisticated grasp of time.

Future Perfect (will have + past participle): action completed before a future point.

- “By 2050, most countries will have phased out coal power.”

Future Continuous (will be + -ing): action in progress at a future time.

- “In 30 years, people will be using wearable devices to monitor their health.”

3. Conditionals for Hypothetical Futures

First, second, and third conditionals are perfect for speculation.

First conditional (real possibility): “If governments invest in green technology, carbon emissions will drop significantly.”

Second conditional (unreal present/future): “If everyone cycled to work, cities would be much less polluted.”

Third conditional (past unreal): “If we had adopted renewable energy earlier, the climate crisis wouldn’t be so severe.” (Use for reflecting on missed opportunities)

4. Hedging and Boosting Language

Hedging makes you sound cautious and academic; boosting shows strong opinion.

Hedging: It is likely that…, There is a strong possibility that…, It seems probable that…, I would argue that…

Boosting: Undoubtedly, certainly, without a doubt, it is inevitable that…

Tip: Use hedging for most predictions to avoid sounding overconfident. Save boosting for when you are absolutely sure.

High-Level Vocabulary for Future Talk

Category	Vocabulary	Example sentence
Change	transformation, shift, evolution, revolution	“We are witnessing a radical shift in how people work.”
Speed	gradual, rapid, exponential, unprecedented	“The pace of technological change is unprecedented.”
Certainty	inevitable, foreseeable, plausible, conceivable	“It is conceivable that robots will perform surgery.”
Impact	profound, far-reaching, negligible, detrimental	“Automation could have a profound impact on employment.”
Time frame	in the near future, in the long run, over the coming decades, by the turn of the century	“In the long run, urban farming may become mainstream.”

Collocations to impress:

“a paradigm shift in…” (a fundamental change)

“the advent of…” (the arrival of something new)

“to pave the way for…” (to make future development possible)

“to be on the verge of…” (about to happen)

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Uses “will” and “going to” correctly. Some attempts at modals (may, might). Simple predictions. Limited hedging.
7	Mixes future forms: future continuous, future perfect. Uses modals with different certainty levels. Some hedging (probably, likely).
8	Confident use of conditionals (second and third). Natural hedging (it is plausible that, I would imagine). Good range of vocabulary (shift, inevitable).
9	All structures used effortlessly. Complex sentences with inversions (Were governments to invest…). Academic hedging and boosting balanced. Precise collocations (paradigm shift, pave the way).

Sample Answers

Question: Do you think people will still read physical books in the future? Band 7: “I think physical books will still exist, but fewer people will read them. Many people might prefer e-books because they are convenient. However, some people like the feeling of a real book, so it’s likely that print books won’t disappear completely.” Band 8: “It’s highly probable that physical books will continue to have a niche audience, but their dominance will have faded by the end of this decade. E-readers and tablets are already on the verge of replacing print for most casual reading, although collectors and enthusiasts may still cherish hardcovers. I would argue that the tactile experience of a book is irreplaceable for certain readers, so a complete extinction is unlikely.” Band 9: “While it is conceivable that physical books could become obsolete in the distant future, I believe they will endure as a cultural artifact rather than a primary medium. The advent of digital reading has already triggered a paradigm shift in publishing, yet there remains a strong emotional attachment to printed pages. Were we to consider the environmental impact, e-books are arguably more sustainable, but the sensory appeal of paper – the smell, the weight, the rustle – may preserve a loyal readership. In the long run, I foresee a coexistence, with physical books occupying a premium, nostalgic segment of the market.”

Common Mistakes

❌Overusing “will” – “People will do this, will do that” sounds repetitive and robotic. Mix in modals and conditionals.

❌Ignoring hedging – Saying “It will happen” without any softening makes you sound arrogant. Use “likely”, “probably”, “could”.

❌Using only first conditional – “If this happens, then that will happen” is fine, but Band 8+ answers also use second and third conditionals for hypothetical scenarios.

❌No topic-specific vocabulary – Saying “things will change” is weak. Use “transform”, “evolve”, “shift”, “revolutionise”.

❌Forgetting to answer the question – Part 3 questions often ask for your opinion or prediction. Always directly address the question before adding extra ideas.

Top Tips

Tip 1: Use the “3‑step” method: Predict → Explain → Hedge. Example: “I think remote work will become the norm (predict). This is because companies have already seen productivity gains (explain). However, it’s not inevitable; some industries may resist (hedge).”

Tip 2: Learn 10‑15 high‑level phrases for speculation and practice them until they feel natural. For instance: “There’s a strong likelihood that…”, “One could envisage a future where…”, “It remains to be seen whether…”.

Tip 3: Record yourself answering Part 3 prediction questions and check for variety. Count how many times you say “will”. Aim to replace at least half with “might”, “could”, “is likely to”, etc.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. You can also find topic-specific vocabulary lists for environment, technology, education, and society – all essential for future prediction questions.

FAQ

Q: Should I always use “will” for predictions? A: No. “Will” is fine for certainties, but for speculation use “may”, “might”, “could”, “is likely to”. Band 7+ answers mix forms. Q: How can I practise conditionals for Part 3? A: Take any prediction question and turn it into a conditional: “If X happens, then Y will occur.” Then try the second conditional: “If X happened, Y would occur.” Q: Is it okay to say “I think” all the time? A: Avoid repeating “I think”. Use “I believe”, “I would argue”, “It seems to me”, “My view is that”, “I’m inclined to think”. Q: What if I don’t know anything about the topic? A: Don’t panic. You can speculate using general knowledge and hedging. Say “I’m not an expert, but I would imagine that…” – this is perfectly acceptable.

Key Takeaways

✅Use a variety of future forms: modals, future perfect, future continuous, conditionals.

✅Hedge your predictions with phrases like “it is likely that”, “there is a possibility”.

✅Replace basic vocabulary with topic-specific terms (shift, inevitable, paradigm).

✅Practise the 3‑step method: Predict → Explain → Hedge.

✅Avoid overusing “will” and “I think”.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 3: How to Structure Your Answers

Advanced Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking: Technology

Top 10 Grammar Mistakes in IELTS Speaking