Advanced be going to. 45 questions on nuanced future form choice, going to in discourse, and register.
What this test covers
- All Three Future Forms in Context
- Going To in Informal Discourse
- Future Form Register & Style
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1Given the current volatility in the market, analysts predict that the firm ___ restructure its debt by the end of the quarter.
Answer: C. is going to
'Be going to' is the standard choice for predictions based on present, tangible evidence or observable trends (the market volatility). 'Is to' denotes a formal arrangement or a requirement (official instruction), which does not fit an analyst's prediction. 'Shall' is restricted to formal determination or legalistic futures. 'Is go to' is a grammatical error that lacks the required 'going'.
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Q2I have already finalized the itinerary; we ___ the regional office in Singapore next Tuesday as part of our expansion plan.
Answer: A. are going to visit
'Be going to' expresses a pre-established intention or a decision made prior to the moment of speaking. 'Visit' (present simple) is reserved for fixed public timetables (like flights), not personal itineraries. 'Will visit' typically suggests a spontaneous decision or a neutral prediction without the same emphasis on prior planning. 'Are going visit' is grammatically incomplete — the structure 'be going to' requires the particle 'to' before the infinitive, so it cannot be omitted.
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Q3The board of directors ___ a decision on the merger by Friday, as per the latest internal memo.
Answer: A. is going to reach
The 'internal memo' serves as present evidence for a future prediction, which favors 'be going to'. 'Is reaching' (present continuous) implies the process is currently in progress. 'Reaches' (present simple) would imply a recurring schedule rather than a specific event. 'Has reached' (present perfect) describes a completed past action, which contradicts the future deadline 'by Friday'.
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Q4Look at the structural cracks in the foundation; the building ___ collapse if we don't intervene immediately.
Answer: D. is going to
This is a prediction based on immediate physical evidence (the cracks). 'Be going to' is used when current signs indicate a future event is inevitable. 'Will' is used for more speculative or distant predictions. 'Is to' suggests a formal arrangement or an order. 'Is about a' is a grammatical fragment that does not complete the verb phrase.
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Q5Identify the sentence that uses 'be going to' correctly for a formal project status report.
Answer: C. We are going to complete the audit by Monday.
In formal writing, the full form 'are going to' indicates a firm intention based on current progress. 'Gonna' is informal slang that is inappropriate for a written report. 'Will be finishing' (future continuous) focuses on the duration or process rather than the intended outcome. 'We finish' (present simple) is only used for fixed external schedules, not internal team targets.
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Q6The CEO ___ a press conference tomorrow to address the recent allegations (express a pre-planned intention).
Answer: C. is going to hold
'Be going to' is the most appropriate form for a pre-planned intention decided before the conversation. 'Will hold' functions as a neutral prediction or a spontaneous decision. 'Holds' (present simple) describes recurring schedules, while 'is held' is a passive construction that incorrectly suggests the CEO is the object of the action rather than the person performing it.
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Q7Look at those structural cracks spreading across the ceiling — the roof ___ collapse if repairs are not made immediately.
Answer: C. is going to
This prediction is based on immediate visual evidence, requiring the 'be going to' aspect. 'Are going to' is incorrect because it does not agree with the singular subject 'the roof'. 'Will to' and 'is go to' are syntactically invalid; 'will' must be followed by a bare infinitive (the verb without 'to'), and 'going' must be used as a present participle.
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Q8A: 'I can't reach that shelf.' B: 'Don't worry, I ___ get it for you.'
Answer: B. will
This context involves a spontaneous offer (a decision made at the moment of speaking). 'Will' is the standard modal for on-the-spot offers. 'Am going to' would imply the speaker already had a plan to reach for the shelf before the other person spoke, which is logically unlikely. 'Shall' is possible but excessively formal for this casual interaction.
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Q9The flight to Tokyo ___ at 18:00, so please ensure you are at the gate by 17:00.
Answer: B. departs
Events based on a fixed, public timetable (like flight schedules) are expressed using the Present Simple ('departs'). 'Is going to depart' and 'will depart' are grammatically possible for specific predictions, but they do not reflect the scheduled nature of commercial transport as accurately as the present simple does.
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Q10You look overwhelmed with that paperwork. I ___ you with it.
Answer: B. will help
A spontaneous offer made in response to a perceived need uses 'will'. 'Am going to help' suggests the help was already planned regardless of the current observation. 'Am helping' (present continuous) implies the action is already underway, and 'help' (present simple) suggests a habitual action rather than a future offer.
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Q11Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
Answer: A. I am going to attend the conference, so I will be unavailable all day.
The 'be going to' structure must be followed by a bare infinitive (the base form of the verb). 'Attend' is the correct base form. 'Attended', 'be attend', and 'attending' are all grammatical errors in this specific construction.
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Q12We ___ our headquarters to the city center next month; the lease is already signed (use the most appropriate form for a fixed arrangement).
Answer: A. are moving
For social or professional arrangements where definitive steps have been taken (the signed lease), the Present Continuous ('are moving') is often preferred as it emphasizes the arrangement. 'Will move' is a neutral future. 'Will moving' is a grammatical error, and 'have moved' is present perfect, which would mean the move has already finished.
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Q13That scaffolding looks extremely precarious. It ___ fall at any moment.
Answer: A. is going to
'Be going to' is the standard aspect for predictions based on present evidence (the precarious state of the scaffolding). 'Will to' is ungrammatical. 'Falls' (present simple) implies a recurring habit, and 'is falling' would mean the collapse has already started.
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Q14I'm not entirely sure about the software update. I think I ___ ask the IT department for guidance.
Answer: D. will
The phrase 'I think' often signals a subjective opinion or a decision being made during the conversation, both of which use 'will'. 'Am go to' is a structural error. 'Ask' (present simple) cannot be used for a future intention, and 'am asking' implies the action is currently occurring.
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Q15The library ___ at 9 PM every weekday, regardless of the holiday schedule.
Answer: C. closes
Recurring, scheduled events (timetables) are expressed using the Present Simple. While 'will close' or 'is going to close' could describe a specific instance, 'closes' is the standard way to describe a permanent or habitual schedule.
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Q16Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal business proposal?
Answer: B. We are going to implement the new strategy.
In a formal proposal, 'are going to' is used to express a firm intention or a planned action. 'Gonna' is an informal slang word that is too informal for business writing. 'We implement' (present simple) describes facts or schedules, and 'will implementing' is a grammatical error missing the auxiliary 'be'.
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Q17I have made my position clear; I ___ tolerate this level of incompetence any longer.
Answer: D. am not going to
'Be going to' is often used to emphasize resolve or a firm refusal after a decision has been reached. 'Am not' is incomplete without a complement. 'Do not' is present simple (habitual). 'Will not to' is ungrammatical, as the modal 'will' must be followed by a bare infinitive without 'to'.
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Q18Which sentence uses 'gonna' correctly in informal speech?
Answer: A. I'm gonna meet him at the café tomorrow.
'Gonna' is an informal spelling of 'going to'. It requires the auxiliary 'be' ('I'm') and is followed by a base verb. 'I'm gonna to meet' is redundant because 'gonna' already includes the 'to'. 'I gonna' is incorrect because it lacks the verb 'am'.
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Q19In casual conversation, 'gonna' is a reduction of 'going to'. Choose the correct usage.
Answer: C. I'm gonna go to the office.
'Gonna' functions as a future marker and must be followed by a main verb ('go'). In the phrase 'going to the office', 'going' is a verb of motion; while people sometimes say 'I'm gonna the office' in very loose slang, 'I'm gonna go to' is the standard informal structure for a future intention.
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Q20Choose the most informal sentence.
Answer: D. I'm gonna finish this report tonight.
The spelling 'gonna' and the contraction 'I'm' represent an informal style used in casual, spoken English. 'Intend to' is formal; 'I will' and 'I am going to' are neutral and appropriate for standard written and spoken contexts.
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Q21I ___ tell him the truth, regardless of the consequences.
Answer: A. am going to
'Be going to' expresses a strong personal resolution or a previously made decision. 'Am gonna' is the informal equivalent, but 'am going to' is preferred in standard written English. 'Will to' is a grammatical error, and 'shall' is generally reserved for very formal offers or legal requirements.
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Q22Why are you carrying that heavy equipment? ___ you ___ to the construction site?
Answer: C. Are/going to go
The interrogative form of 'be going to' is 'Be + Subject + going to + Verb'. 'Are you going to go?' is correct. 'Is/going to go' uses 'is' which does not agree with the subject 'you' (which requires 'are'). 'Do/go' forms a simple present question without the 'going to' structure. 'Will/going to' is syntactically impossible as 'will' cannot be directly followed by 'going to'.
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Q23Which sentence is NOT suitable for a formal academic essay?
Answer: A. We're gonna investigate the findings.
Academic writing requires full, standard forms. 'Gonna' is informal slang and is strictly prohibited in formal writing. While 'be going to' is acceptable in academic prose to express plans, 'will' is often more frequent for predictions.
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Q24Identify the error: 'He is going to be angry when he finds out.'
Answer: C. No error.
The original sentence is correct. In temporal subordinate clauses (clauses starting with 'when', 'after', 'before'), we use the Present Simple ('finds out') to refer to the future. Using 'will find out' in this position is a common error.
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Q25Is it acceptable to write 'gonna' in a formal business report?
Answer: C. Only if quoting someone.
'Gonna' is an informal spelling of how people speak. It should never be used in professional or formal writing unless you are providing a direct verbatim quote of someone's speech.
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Q26I ___ stand for this kind of behavior any longer!
Answer: A. am not going to
'Be going to' is frequently used in the negative to express a strong refusal or resolve. 'Will not to' is ungrammatical (modals take bare infinitives). 'Am not gonna' is informal. 'Don't' (present simple) lacks the specific sense of future-oriented determination.
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Q27Choose the most natural response to 'What are your plans for the weekend?'
Answer: B. I am going to relax at home.
When responding to a question about pre-existing plans or intentions, 'be going to' is the most natural choice as it signals a decision made before this conversation. 'I will' suggests a spontaneous decision made right now. 'I would relax' is a conditional form used for hypothetical situations, not real plans. 'I relax' is present simple and implies a habitual routine.
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Q28He's ___ quit his job if they don't give him a raise.
Answer: C. going to
'Going to' expresses a predicted outcome based on a current situation. 'Gonna' is the informal spoken version. 'Going' is missing the 'to' required for the verb. 'Will to' is a grammatical error.
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Q29What ___ you ___ do about the broken window?
Answer: B. are/going to
The standard interrogative structure for future plans is 'Be + Subject + going to + verb'. 'Are/going to' fits this perfectly. 'Are/gonna' is informal; 'do/going to' and 'will/doing' are ungrammatical.
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Q30The board is ___ approve the budget increase next week.
Answer: B. set to
'Set to' is a phrase meaning 'ready to' or 'scheduled to', often used in formal or journalistic contexts. 'Plans for' would require an -ing verb ('approving'). 'Planning' would require 'to' ('is planning to approve'). 'Will to' is ungrammatical.
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Q31The conference is ___ take place in Geneva this year (choose the most formal and precise option).
Answer: D. scheduled to
'Scheduled to' is the most precise choice for an event that is part of an official timetable. 'Going to' is neutral and less formal. 'Intended to' and 'planned to' are less definitive than 'scheduled,' which implies the dates and logistics are already fixed.
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Q32Which phrase is the most formal way to discuss a future plan?
Answer: C. We plan to expand.
'Plan to' uses a specific verb that is common in professional discourse. 'Going to' is standard but slightly more informal than 'plan to'. 'Gonna' is very informal, and 'will be expanding' is the future continuous, which focuses on the process.
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Q33The product launch is ___ occur in the third quarter.
Answer: C. due to
'Due to' + infinitive is a formal structure used to describe something that is expected or scheduled to happen at a specific time. 'Set' and 'going' both require 'to' to be grammatically complete. 'Planned' would require 'to' or 'to be'.
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Q34Identify the error: 'The company is going to hire more staff.'
Answer: C. No error.
The original sentence correctly uses the 'be going to' structure. 'Hired', 'hiring', and 'be hire' are all grammatical errors in this context.
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Q35The Minister is ___ deliver the keynote address at noon.
Answer: D. scheduled to
'Scheduled to' creates a valid formal structure ('be + adjective + to-infinitive'). 'Set' and 'going' are missing 'to'. 'Will to' is a modal error, as 'will' never takes a to-infinitive.
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Q36Choose the correct sentence for a formal press release.
Answer: C. The team is set to win.
'Set to' is a formal, journalistic alternative that implies a planned or highly likely future event — the preferred choice for press releases. 'Gonna' is informal slang and inappropriate in a formal register. 'Will winning' is ungrammatical (modal + -ing without 'be'). 'Is going win' is ungrammatical as it is missing 'to' before the base verb.
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Q37Which sentence uses 'be going to' to express a formal, pre-planned intention?
Answer: A. Management is going to address the concerns at the next meeting.
'Management is going to address t...' correctly uses 'is going to' for a pre-planned intention. 'Management addressing...' is a fragment lacking a main verb. 'Management are concern...' has an agreement and word-class error. The option with 'will' and 'at the last minute' describes a spontaneous action, not a pre-planned intention.
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Q38The project is ___ completed by the end of the month.
Answer: B. due to be
The sentence requires a passive infinitive after a future marker. 'Due to be' + past participle ('completed') is the correct structure. 'Scheduled', 'set', and 'going' all require 'to be' to complete the passive construction.
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Q39Identify the error: 'We are planning to launch the website on Friday.'
Answer: C. No error.
The original sentence correctly uses 'be planning to' + the bare infinitive 'launch'. The distractors use 'launched' (past), 'launching' (gerund/participle), or 'be launch' (grammatical error).
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Q40The committee is ___ finalize the report by Friday.
Answer: A. set to
'Set to' is a formal structure meaning 'ready to' or 'scheduled to'. 'Will to' is ungrammatical. 'Going' lacks the 'to' marker. 'Plans for' would require a gerund ('finalizing') rather than the infinitive 'finalize'.
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Q41Which expression is most suitable for a formal project proposal?
Answer: D. We are set to commence.
'Set to commence' is highly formal due to the lexical choice 'commence' and the adjectival structure 'set to'. 'Gonna' is slang, and 'going to start' is standard/neutral but less formal.
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Q42The new regulations are ___ take effect next January.
Answer: C. due to
'Due to' + infinitive is the standard formal way to describe a scheduled time for a rule or law to begin. 'Set' and 'going' are incomplete without 'to'. 'Will to' is ungrammatical.
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Q43Choose the most appropriate formal sentence.
Answer: D. He intends to retire next month.
'Intends to' is a formal lexical choice for expressing a plan. 'He retire' lacks an auxiliary or third-person inflection. 'Gonna' is colloquial. 'Set for retiring' is non-standard; the correct idiom is 'set to retire'.
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Q44The merger is ___ finalized by the end of the year.
Answer: B. due to be
The passive infinitive 'be finalized' requires 'due to' to indicate an expected schedule. 'Going', 'scheduled', and 'set' all lack the necessary 'to' or 'to be' to link correctly to the participle 'finalized'.
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Q45I'm not ___ let him treat me like that again (use standard English).
Answer: A. going to
Standard English requires the full form 'going to' for expressing resolve. 'Going' is missing 'to', 'gonna' is an informal reduction, and 'will' is typically used for spontaneous reactions rather than the pre-meditated resolve shown in this context.
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