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Reading Worksheet

The Science Summit

B1 Present Continuous for Future: Fixed Arrangements Science and Events 25 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • What do you know about Geneva? Why do you think important international events are held there?
  • Have you ever been to a conference or large event? What was it like?
  • Why do you think scientists from around the world meet at events like this?
  • Look at the title 'The Science Summit'. What do you think will be discussed there?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
summit (n.) a large, important meeting of leaders or experts The International Science Summit is taking place in Geneva next month.
delegate (n.) a person attending a conference as a representative of their organisation or country Over 2,000 delegates are attending from 48 countries.
innovative (adj.) introducing new and original ideas or methods Young scientists are presenting innovative ideas to senior researchers.
gala (adj.) special and festive, usually for a large formal occasion All delegates are attending a gala dinner on the final evening.
shuttle (n.) a vehicle that makes regular short journeys between two fixed places The organisers are providing shuttle buses from each hotel.
panel (n.) a group of experts who discuss a topic publicly in front of an audience A panel of climate scientists is discussing new data on Wednesday morning.
Reading Text
Magazine Article ~285 words

The Science Summit

One of the world's most important science events is almost here. The International Science Summit is taking place next month in Geneva, Switzerland, and the programme is packed with some of the brightest minds on the planet.

The summit is opening on Sunday 11th May with a public lecture at the Geneva Convention Centre. Dr Amara Osei, the director of the African Climate Research Network, is giving the opening address on Monday morning. On Tuesday afternoon, three Nobel Prize winners are presenting their latest research to a full auditorium. On Wednesday morning, a panel of leading climate scientists is discussing new data on global temperature change.

The scale of the event is remarkable. Over 2,000 scientists from 48 countries are attending. Media teams from 30 countries are covering the event. The President of the European Science Foundation is hosting the opening reception on Sunday evening.

Delegates are staying at six hotels across the city. The organisers are providing shuttle buses from each hotel to the conference centre every thirty minutes. All meals are being provided at the venue.

One of the most anticipated sessions takes place on Friday morning, when a group of young scientists — all under 30 — is presenting their most innovative ideas to a panel of senior researchers. It has become one of the most talked-about events of the whole summit.

On the final evening, all delegates are attending a gala dinner at Geneva City Hall. It promises to be a memorable end to five days of science, debate, and collaboration.

One thing the organisers cannot control: the weather for the outdoor science exhibition on Thursday afternoon. Unlike everything else on the programme, that remains to be seen.

Notice the Grammar

Look at the article. Find three sentences that describe future events using the present continuous (e.g. 'Dr Osei is giving the opening address on Monday'). Why is the present continuous used here — not 'will'? What do all these events have in common?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer these questions in a few words.

  1. What is the article mainly about?
  2. Where and when is the summit taking place?
  3. What happens on the final evening of the summit?
2 Reading for Detail

Write short answers based on the article.

  1. Who is giving the opening address on Monday morning?
  2. What is happening on Tuesday afternoon?
  3. How are the delegates getting from their hotels to the conference centre?
  4. What makes the Friday morning session special?  a) Three Nobel Prize winners are speaking. b) Young scientists under 30 are presenting innovative ideas to senior researchers. c) The President of the European Science Foundation is attending. 
  5. What is the one thing the organisers cannot control?
3 True, False, or Not Given

Write T (True), F (False), or NG (Not Given) for each statement.

  1. The summit is opening on Sunday 11th May with a public lecture.
  2. Scientists from more than 100 countries are attending the summit.
  3. The summit has been held in Geneva every year for the past ten years.
  4. A gala dinner is taking place on the final evening of the summit.
  5. The outdoor exhibition on Thursday has been cancelled due to weather concerns.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer these questions about the words in the article.

  1. The article describes the Friday session as 'one of the most anticipated sessions'. What does 'anticipated' most likely mean?  a) Unexpected and surprising. b) Looked forward to with excitement. c) Difficult and challenging. 
  2. What is a 'delegate' at a conference? Use the article to help you explain.
  3. Find a word in paragraph 2 that means 'a group of experts who discuss a topic publicly'. 
  4. The article says the summit 'promises to be a memorable end'. What does 'memorable' mean? Give your own definition.
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities about the present continuous for future.

  1. Find five present continuous sentences used for future arrangements in the article. Write them.
    a)  b)  c)  d)  e) 
  2. The article describes all these events using the present continuous, not 'will'. What does this tell us about the arrangements?
  3. Which sentence correctly uses the present continuous for future?  a) It is raining heavily at the conference next week. b) Dr Osei is giving the opening address on Monday 12th May. c) Scientists are knowing a lot about this topic. 
  4. Rewrite as present continuous for future (all are confirmed arrangements): (a) 'Three Nobel winners will present on Tuesday afternoon.' → (b) 'Over 2,000 delegates will attend.' →
  5. Imagine a school or local event next week. Write four sentences about what is happening, using the present continuous for future.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss with a partner. Share one idea with the class.

  1. Would you like to attend an event like the Science Summit? What would you most want to see or hear?
  2. The article mentions young scientists (under 30) presenting innovative ideas. Do you think young people have an important role in science today?
  3. Climate scientists are presenting new data at the summit. How important do you think it is for scientists to share their research at events like this?

Answer Key

The Science Summit — B1 — Present Continuous for Future: Fixed Arrangements

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. A preview of the upcoming International Science Summit in Geneva.
  2. In Geneva, Switzerland, next month.
  3. All delegates are attending a gala dinner at Geneva City Hall.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. Dr Amara Osei, the director of the African Climate Research Network.
  2. Three Nobel Prize winners are presenting their latest research.
  3. The organisers are providing shuttle buses from each hotel every thirty minutes.
  4. b)
  5. The weather for the outdoor science exhibition on Thursday afternoon.

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. T — The article states the summit is opening on Sunday 11th May with a public lecture at the Geneva Convention Centre.
  2. F — The article says scientists from 48 countries are attending — not more than 100.
  3. NG — The article does not mention how long the summit has existed or how often it takes place.
  4. T — The article confirms all delegates are attending a gala dinner at Geneva City Hall on the final evening.
  5. F — The article says the weather for the outdoor exhibition 'remains to be seen' — it has not been cancelled.

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. A person who attends a conference as a representative — in this case, over 2,000 scientists from 48 countries are attending as delegates.
  3. panel
  4. Something you will remember for a long time because it was special, impressive, or important.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. Any five present continuous sentences with future reference, e.g. 'The summit is taking place next month in Geneva.' / 'Dr Amara Osei is giving the opening address on Monday morning.' / 'Three Nobel Prize winners are presenting their latest research on Tuesday afternoon.' / 'A panel of climate scientists is discussing new data on Wednesday morning.' / 'All delegates are attending a gala dinner on the final evening.'
  2. The present continuous for future is used when events are already fixed, confirmed, and in the diary. These are not vague predictions — they are organised arrangements with specific times and places.
  3. b)
  4. (a) Three Nobel winners are presenting on Tuesday afternoon. (b) Over 2,000 delegates are attending.
  5. Answers will vary. Answers will vary. Check: am/is/are + -ing for confirmed arrangements. Look for time/place markers that show these are f

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.