Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions

at some later time, especially after a long period or many difficulties.

“The stranded hikers will eventually be rescued by the search team.”

“The negotiations will eventually lead to a successful agreement.”

Often used: eventually happen · eventually lead to · eventually resolve

CELPIP tip: Use 'eventually' when the picture suggests a process is ongoing — it helps you describe future steps beyond just the immediate next moment.

having a strong chance of happening or being true.

“Based on the dark clouds in the picture, it is likely that a storm is approaching.”

“The woman is likely to leave the building very soon.”

Often used: highly likely · most likely · likely outcome

CELPIP tip: Use 'it is likely that' or 'she is likely to' at the start of your prediction sentences in Task 4 to sound natural and confident.

used to express a possibility that is less certain than 'will' or 'should'.

“The couple might decide to go inside since it looks like rain.”

“She might ask a colleague for help with the heavy boxes.”

Often used: might happen · might end up · might consider

CELPIP tip: Use 'might' when you are less sure about a prediction — it shows range in your modal vocabulary and is valued by raters.

almost certainly; used to say that something has a good chance of happening.

“The man will probably catch the next bus after missing this one.”

“They will probably need to find a new location for the event.”

Often used: will probably · probably going to · most probably

CELPIP tip: Place 'probably' between the subject and the main verb ('they will probably move') to sound fluent and avoid robotic-sounding predictions.

to expect or predict that something will happen in the future.

“We can anticipate that the workers will complete the construction by next week.”

“I anticipate that the family will move to a larger home soon.”

Often used: anticipate a change · fully anticipate · anticipate the outcome

CELPIP tip: Using 'I anticipate that...' instead of 'I think...' raises your lexical score in Task 4 by demonstrating formal academic vocabulary.

something that happens as a result of a particular action or situation.

“The flooding visible in the image will have serious consequences for the nearby residents.”

“One consequence of the power outage will be significant delays in transportation.”

Often used: serious consequences · face the consequences · have consequences

CELPIP tip: Saying 'one consequence of this will be...' helps organize your Task 4 response logically and shows cause-effect reasoning.

Not too hot or too cold; gentle.

“We had a mild winter this year.”

Often used: mild weather · mild climate

CELPIP tip: Use 'mild weather' as a quick, natural contrast when predicting or comparing seasonal conditions.

the final result or consequence of a situation or action.

“The most likely outcome of the argument shown in the picture is a compromise.”

“A positive outcome seems expected given the cooperation between the two teams.”

Often used: likely outcome · expected outcome · positive outcome

CELPIP tip: Saying 'the most likely outcome is...' gives your Task 4 response a structured, analytical tone that impresses raters.

to predict or expect that something will happen in the future based on current evidence.

“Based on the picture, I can foresee several complications arising from the crowd size.”

“Experts foresee that the building will need major repairs within a decade.”

Often used: foresee a problem · foresee changes · foresee the consequences

CELPIP tip: The phrase 'I can foresee that...' sounds highly academic and can boost your CLB 9–10 vocabulary score in Task 4 responses.

used to say that something is probably true based on reasonable assumption.

“He is carrying luggage, so he will presumably be heading to the airport.”

“The children are in school uniforms, so they are presumably about to start class.”

Often used: presumably going to · presumably lead to · presumably result in

CELPIP tip: Start a prediction sentence with 'Presumably...' to show you are making a logical inference from visual clues — this demonstrates reasoning skills.

without any doubt; used to express that something is certainly true or will happen.

“The team will undoubtedly face challenges when they begin the renovation.”

“She is undoubtedly going to be promoted after such strong results.”

Often used: undoubtedly lead to · undoubtedly result in · undoubtedly succeed

CELPIP tip: Use 'undoubtedly' to express strong certainty based on visual evidence — it shows confident language use valued at higher CLB levels.

to increase rapidly in intensity, size, or seriousness.

“Without intervention, the conflict shown in the image is likely to escalate quickly.”

“The small fire could escalate into a major emergency if not controlled.”

Often used: escalate quickly · escalate into a crisis · continue to escalate

CELPIP tip: Using 'escalate' when predicting a worsening situation shows advanced vocabulary — it scores well at CLB 9 and above in Task 4.

A test done to learn something.

“The experiment confirmed their theory.”

Often used: run an experiment · controlled experiment

CELPIP tip: Use 'conduct an experiment' formally; ideal when predicting science/tech outcomes in opinion tasks.

about to happen very soon, especially something important or dangerous.

“The dark sky suggests that a thunderstorm is imminent.”

“Given the tense body language, a confrontation seems imminent.”

Often used: imminent danger · imminent threat · imminent arrival

CELPIP tip: Use 'imminent' when the picture clearly shows something is about to happen right now — it makes your prediction sound precise and urgent.

certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.

“Given the structural damage shown, collapse seems inevitable without immediate action.”

“Delays were inevitable once the main road became blocked.”

Often used: seem inevitable · almost inevitable · make inevitable

CELPIP tip: Using 'it seems inevitable that...' in Task 4 conveys strong analytical language and is particularly effective for predicting negative consequences.

to predict or estimate a future situation based on current information or trends.

“Based on the current growth, analysts project that demand will double within two years.”

“It is projected that the number of users will increase significantly next quarter.”

Often used: project growth · projected increase · it is projected that

CELPIP tip: Using 'it is projected that' in Task 4 demonstrates formal register and is ideal when the picture shows data, graphs, or business settings.

No longer used because something newer exists.

“That technology is now completely obsolete.”

Often used: become obsolete · obsolete technology

CELPIP tip: Use 'become obsolete' when predicting technology trends; stronger than 'old' or 'outdated' in formal contexts.

an indirect negative result or consequence of an action or event, often felt later.

“The accident visible in the image will likely have repercussions for the entire supply chain.”

“Poor planning at this stage will have serious repercussions for the project's timeline.”

Often used: have repercussions · serious repercussions · feel the repercussions

CELPIP tip: Using 'this will have repercussions for...' in Task 4 demonstrates high-level lexical sophistication — a strong signal for CLB 10–11 performance.

to become involved in a difficult situation in order to help or take action.

“A manager will probably step in to resolve the dispute between the two employees.”

“Emergency services are expected to step in once the situation becomes unsafe.”

Often used: step in to help · step in quickly · step in and resolve

CELPIP tip: Use 'step in' when the picture shows a problem developing — predicting who will 'step in' gives your response more narrative structure.

To happen or end in a certain way.

“Everything turned out fine.”

Often used: turn out well · as it turned out

CELPIP tip: Neutral; perfect for concluding stories: 'it turned out better than expected' shows reflective language.

used to say that something will definitely happen at some time in the future, even if the exact time is unknown.

“Sooner or later, the old bridge will need to be replaced entirely.”

“If the traffic continues like this, sooner or later there will be a serious accident.”

Often used: sooner or later happen · bound to sooner or later · will sooner or later

CELPIP tip: Use 'sooner or later' to add a natural, idiomatic tone when predicting inevitable future events in Task 4 without specifying an exact time.

certain or very likely to happen; used for high-confidence predictions.

“With the road flooded like that, traffic is bound to slow down significantly.”

“She has studied so hard that she is bound to pass the exam.”

Often used: bound to happen · bound to face · bound to succeed

CELPIP tip: Use 'bound to' when the picture shows very clear evidence — it signals high confidence and adds variety beyond just using 'will'.

very soon; within a short period of time from now.

“In the near future, the city will likely expand its public transit system.”

“The project shown in the image will be completed in the near future.”

Often used: happen in the near future · expected in the near future · change in the near future

CELPIP tip: This phrase is ideal for Task 4 when you need to set a time frame for your prediction without being too specific.

making progress in a way that is likely to achieve a particular goal or result.

“The construction team appears to be on track to finish the building ahead of schedule.”

“Based on what I can see, she seems on track to win the competition.”

Often used: on track to succeed · on track to complete · on track to achieve

CELPIP tip: Use 'on track to' when the picture shows visible progress — it links the current situation directly to a positive future outcome, showing coherence.

to be at a point where something is about to happen very soon.

“The construction workers appear to be on the verge of completing the framework.”

“Based on the tension in the room, the two parties seem to be on the verge of an agreement.”

Often used: on the verge of collapse · on the verge of success · on the verge of a deal

CELPIP tip: Use 'be on the verge of' to predict something very imminent from the picture — it shows sophisticated vocabulary and earns higher marks.

very probably; used to say that something is almost certain to be true.

“In all likelihood, the construction will be finished before the holiday season.”

“In all likelihood, the couple will have to reschedule their outdoor event.”

Often used: in all likelihood happen · in all likelihood lead to · in all likelihood succeed

CELPIP tip: This phrase is a formal, high-scoring substitute for 'probably' — use it at the start of a prediction sentence in Task 4 to demonstrate advanced vocabulary.

to have strong evidence or good grounds for thinking that something is true.

“Looking at the image, we have every reason to believe that the event will be a great success.”

“Given the preparation visible, we have every reason to believe the launch will go smoothly.”

Often used: have every reason to believe that · have good reason to think · have reason to expect

CELPIP tip: This phrase signals logical reasoning backed by evidence — use it in Task 4 when you want to sound analytical and well-supported.

Because of this; consequently.

“Sales rose, and as a result, profits grew.”

Often used: result

CELPIP tip: Neutral cause-effect connector; use after presenting evidence to clearly show logical consequences.

to have a possibility or opportunity of achieving something or surviving.

“With such a large crowd, the small shop doesn't stand a chance of handling all the customers.”

“If they act quickly, they stand a good chance of saving the building from damage.”

Often used: stand a good chance · stand a real chance · hardly stand a chance

CELPIP tip: Use 'stand a chance' when predicting whether a person or group will succeed — it shows idiomatic range valued by CELPIP raters.

to suddenly become worse or more serious than before.

“If the weather conditions continue, the situation could take a turn for the worse.”

“Without proper support, the patient's condition may take a turn for the worse.”

Often used: suddenly take a turn · could take a turn · likely to take a turn

CELPIP tip: This idiom adds a native-speaker quality to Task 4 predictions — use it when the picture shows a developing negative situation.