CELPIP Speaking Task 4 vocabulary

The words and phrases

is likely to

Says something will probably happen, based on what you see.
Example: The little girl is likely to drop her ice cream if she keeps running like that.

is about to

Says something will happen very soon, in the next moment.
Example: The waiter is about to trip over the backpack lying on the floor.

is bound to

Says something is almost certain to happen.
Example: With all those dark clouds, the picnic is bound to get rained out any minute now.

there's a good chance that

Says something is fairly probable but not certain.
Example: There's a good chance that the dog will jump into the pool after the ball.

I wouldn't be surprised if

Predicts something that seems quite possible, given the situation.
Example: I wouldn't be surprised if the man asked the woman to marry him at dinner.

it's only a matter of time before

Says something will definitely happen; you just don't know exactly when.
Example: It's only a matter of time before the tower of boxes falls over.

my guess is that

Introduces your personal prediction in a natural, modest way.
Example: My guess is that the kids will build a snowman once they finish shovelling.

chances are

An informal way to say something will probably happen.
Example: Chances are the bus driver will wait for the woman who is running toward the stop.

I imagine

Shares a reasonable guess about what will happen next.
Example: I imagine the cook will rush to turn off the stove before the pot boils over.

will probably

A simple, common way to say what you think will happen.
Example: The family will probably finish setting up the tent before the sun goes down.

might end up

Predicts an unplanned or unexpected result.
Example: The boy might end up soaking wet if he keeps standing so close to the sprinkler.

in a few minutes

Places your prediction in the near future.
Example: In a few minutes, the guests will probably sit down and start eating.

sooner or later

Says something will happen at some point, even if not right away.
Example: Sooner or later, the cat is going to knock that vase off the shelf.

if that happens

Connects one prediction to the next possible result.
Example: The ladder might slip on the wet grass. If that happens, the painter could fall into the flower bed.

afterwards

Describes what will happen after the next event.
Example: Afterwards, they'll probably pack up the picnic and head back to the car.

based on what I can see

Shows that your prediction comes from clues in the picture.
Example: Based on what I can see, the store is going to get very busy soon.

Put them to work on Task 4

Practise Task 4 on the test screen, or see how Task 4 works.