Expressing Doubt - Functional Language
Practise expressing doubt at B2–C1 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
Question the strength of evidence without turning doubt into an unsupported counterclaim.
Worksheet preview
Open PDF ↗
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 and keep the suggested answers on page 2 for discussion after they write.
- Identify the gap in each claim: no cost analysis, an untested campaign, a small survey or missing customer feedback.
- Write responses using whether-, that- and noun patterns from the phrase bank.
- Discuss what evidence would address the doubt in the supplier or deadline example, then compare with the sample answers.
Support and extension
Support with claim/evidence missing notes. Extend by requesting a specific source or test. Keep the health-treatment example about evaluating a claim, not recommending treatment, and the financial example about withholding commitment.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
