Giving Reasons and Explanations - Functional Language
Practise giving reasons and explanations 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
Explain a decision by separating its cause, evidence, purpose and consequence.
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
Use page 1 for learners and retain the suggested answers on page 2 until after independent responses.
- Classify based on customer feedback, in order to help staff and As a result by what each link expresses.
- Write justifications for the postponed launch, smaller project, training, online meeting and website change.
- Compare two explanations of one decision and identify whether they explain why it happened or what it aimed to achieve.
Support and extension
Offer a cause/evidence/aim/result chart. Extend with one limitation or additional factor. Accept suitable alternatives and do not claim an intended improvement has already been achieved.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
