Buying Time While Speaking - Functional Language
Practise buying time while speaking at A2–B1 level with useful phrase patterns and short situation-based responses. A separate page of suggested answers supports checking and discussion of other appropriate responses.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Useful phrase patterns
- Situation-based response practice
- Space for written responses
- Suggested answers on page 2
Use a short thinking phrase to maintain a speaking turn without pretending to know an answer.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 2 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 2 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Give learners page 1; use the suggested answers on page 2 after they have written and compared their own responses.
- Compare remembering a restaurant name, choosing a film and checking a meeting date.
- Write responses that buy time, then add the answer, explanation or stated need to check.
- Practise brief spontaneous questions with a natural pause, avoiding repeated filler in every sentence.
Support and extension
Offer Let me think and Just a moment first. Extend with defining exhausted in simple words. Accept alternatives; distinguish a short speaking pause from postponing a decision until another day.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
