Casa ESL · A2 Elementary · Unit 4 of 20 · Step 1

Making Plans

Arrangements & Intentions

✓Talk about future plans using 'going to'

✓Distinguish between a plan and a prediction

✓Use time expressions for the future: this weekend, next month, tomorrow

Name

Date

Vocabulary

plan

noun

An intention or arrangement for the future.

"I have a plan to visit my grandmother next week."

arrange

verb

To organise or prepare something in advance.

"She arranged a meeting with the team for Friday."

trip

noun

A journey to a place and back.

"We are going to take a trip to Portugal in July."

decide

verb

To choose what you are going to do.

"Have you decided what you are going to do this weekend?"

invite

verb

To ask someone to come to an event.

"They are going to invite thirty people to the party."

cancel

verb

To decide that something will no longer happen.

"We had to cancel our plans because of the rain."

book

verb

To arrange and pay for something in advance.

"I am going to book a hotel room for Friday night."

pack

verb

To put things into a bag or suitcase before a trip.

"I need to pack my bags tonight — we leave tomorrow."

Grammar Focus

Going to — plans and intentions

Use am/is/are + going to + base verb to talk about plans you have already decided. For questions, invert the subject and am/is/are. For negatives, use am/is/are + not going to.

I am going to visit my parents this weekend.

She is not going to attend the meeting — she's ill.

Are they going to move to a new apartment?

We are going to study for the exam on Thursday.

Exercises

Exercise 1

Rewrite each sentence using 'going to' + the verb in brackets.

1. I (start) a new exercise class next week.

2. She (not come) to the dinner on Friday.

3. they (travel) to Asia this year?

4. We (rent) a car for the trip.

5. He (visit) his family next month.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct option.

1. Look at those clouds! It ___ rain.

going tois going togoes to

2. ___ you going to cook dinner tonight?

DoAreIs

3. He ___ going to take the train — he prefers to drive.

isn'tdoesn'taren't

Reading

Summer Plans

My name is Erik and I have some exciting plans for this summer. In June, I am going to finish my online photography course. In July, my partner and I are going to drive along the coast for two weeks. We are going to stay in small guesthouses and eat at local restaurants every night. I am going to take my good camera and document everything. We are not going to book everything in advance — we want to stay flexible. I am really looking forward to it.

1. What is Erik going to do in June?

2. Why are they not going to book everything in advance?

Speaking

Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.

1Tell your partner three things you are going to do this week. Explain why for at least one.

2Ask your partner: 'What are you going to do next weekend?' Then ask a follow-up question.

Writing

Write 4–6 sentences about your plans for the next month. Use 'going to' for each plan.

Example: Next month I am going to start a new language class. My friends and I are going to celebrate my birthday at a restaurant. I am also going to visit a city I have never been to. I am not going to spend a lot of money — I am saving for a bigger trip.

Answer Key — For Teacher Use

Exercise 1

1. am going to start · 2. is not going to come · 3. Are / going to travel · 4. are going to rent · 5. is going to visit

Exercise 2

1. is going to · 2. Are · 3. isn't

Reading Comprehension

1. He is going to finish his online photography course. · 2. Because they want to stay flexible.

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