Choose three to five questions for a short conversation. Follow-ups and sentence starters are tucked under each prompt.
Choose at least one question to present, download or print.
Arrange your selected questions ↑ ↓
Move questions into the order you want to present or download.
Start talking
Discuss, give a reason and ask a follow-up.
What everyday task do you sometimes put off?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREWhy is it easy to delay that task?
TRY STARTING WITH“I sometimes put off… because…”
Do you ever put off replying to messages?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREDoes the person or subject make a difference?
TRY STARTING WITH“I put off replying when…”
What do you do first when you have several tasks: the easy one or the one you have put off?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREHow does your choice affect the rest of your day?
TRY STARTING WITH“I usually start with…”
Explore examples
Discuss, give a reason and ask a follow-up.
Have you ever put off something that turned out to be quick and simple?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREHow did you feel after doing it?
TRY STARTING WITH“I had put off… but it only took…”
Why might someone put off making an important decision?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREWhen could waiting help them decide?
TRY STARTING WITH“They might need… before…”
When is putting something off a sensible choice?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREHow can you tell the difference between waiting wisely and avoiding a task?
TRY STARTING WITH“Waiting can help if…”
Compare ideas
Discuss, give a reason and ask a follow-up.
Is it easier to put off a task when nobody else is waiting for it?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREWhat could help you keep a promise to yourself?
TRY STARTING WITH“I find it easier/harder because…”
Does having a deadline help you stop putting things off?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREWhat happens when the deadline feels too far away?
TRY STARTING WITH“A deadline helps me…”
- Stretch
How could you politely tell someone that a shared task cannot be put off any longer?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREHow would you offer help without sounding critical?
TRY STARTING WITH“Could we start…? I can help by…”
Make a choice
Discuss, give a reason and ask a follow-up.
- Stretch
Imagine you have put off starting a hobby you want to try. What could you do this week?
Follow-up & speaking support
ASK A LITTLE MOREWhat is the smallest useful first step?
TRY STARTING WITH“Instead of putting it off, I could…”
Something to say.
6 useful words & phrases
- put off — delay doing something
- postpone — arrange for something to happen later
- deadline — the time by which something must be finished
- priority — something that deserves attention before other things
- avoid — stay away from doing something
- manageable — possible to deal with without too much difficulty
Choose. Talk. Share.
Choose an imaginary task you have delayed, such as sorting photos or organising a shared outing. Your partner asks why and helps you agree on a first step, a time to begin and one way to make the task easier. Swap roles.
Speaking aim
B1–B2: explain delays, distinguish good reasons to wait from avoidance and make practical suggestions.
Language focus
Teach put off + noun or -ing: put off a decision; put off replying. Model pronoun placement: put it off, not put off it. Use this lesson for the delay meaning only; put someone off can mean discourage or make someone dislike something.
Model exchange
Teacher: What have you been putting off? Learner: Sorting my photos. Teacher: Why have you put it off? Learner: There are too many. Teacher: Could you start with just ten? Learner: Yes, I could do that tonight.
Run the activity
Start with a fictional everyday task. Pairs choose questions, give reasons and ask follow-ups. Finish with the first-step conversation. Recast target phrases after the learner finishes speaking.