Speaking Boost · C1 · Lesson 20 of 50
Speaking Boost C1 · Block 4: Economy and Society

Is universal basic income realistic?

Should every citizen receive a regular payment with no conditions attached? Weigh the evidence, review the grammar of Block 4, learn it is high time + past simple and the language of arguing for and against, and give the final talk of the block.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Welfare and policy

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. Would you stop working if you received a basic income?
  2. Do you think governments should give money to everyone?
  3. What is the best way to reduce poverty?
  4. Who should pay for welfare?
  5. Do you think automation will take many jobs?
  6. Would you support higher taxes for a basic income?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about welfare.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. A payment with no conditions attached is .
  2. State support for people in need is called .
  3. Critics ask how a government would the cost of such a scheme.
  4. Money for public services is raised mainly through .
  5. Critics fear that people may develop a on the state.
  6. Machines replacing human workers is known as .
  7. A general rise in prices over time is called .
  8. Before national roll-out, a small was tested in one town.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. unconditional = without
  2. welfare is state support for people in
  3. taxation is money raised by the
  4. automation = machines replacing
  5. inflation is a general rise in
  6. to eradicate = to remove
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to argue for or against a proposal.

  • The case for... is that...Аргумент на користь... полягає в тому, що...The case for basic income is that it reduces poverty.
  • The case against... is that...Аргумент проти... полягає в тому, що...The case against it is that it may be too costly.
  • It is high time governments...Давно пора, щоб уряди...It is high time governments tried something new.
  • It is essential that... be...Важливо, щоб... було...It is essential that the payment be unconditional.
  • Provided that...За умови, що...Provided that the funding is secure, it could work.
  • Owing to automation,...Через автоматизацію,...Owing to automation, many jobs may disappear.
  • Proponents argue that...Прихильники стверджують, що...Proponents argue that it gives people freedom.
  • Critics counter that...Критики заперечують, що...Critics counter that it discourages work.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

A payment for everyone?

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Is universal basic income realistic?

Is universal basic income realistic? The idea is simple: every citizen receives a regular, unconditional payment from the state, regardless of income or work. Proponents argue that it would reduce poverty, simplify welfare systems and give people freedom to study, care for relatives or start businesses. Critics counter that it would be too expensive and might discourage work.

Evidence from experiments is limited but interesting. In Finland, a two-year trial in 2017 and 2018 gave a monthly payment of 560 euros to 2,000 unemployed people. Researchers reported only a modest effect on employment, although recipients said that they felt less stressed and more trusting. In Stockton, California, a pilot scheme paid 125 residents 500 dollars a month from 2019, and evaluators reported improvements in wellbeing and some gains in employment. Both were small trials, and neither tested a payment for a whole country.

The main practical problem is how to fund it. Provided that taxation is raised enough, the cost could be covered, but unless the payment is high enough to live on, it may not replace other benefits. Moreover, some fear inflation, although the evidence for this is disputed.

Supporters often cite automation. Owing to new technology, they argue, many jobs may disappear, and it is high time governments prepared for that possibility. Sceptics reply that technology has created new jobs before, and that a targeted benefit helps the poor more efficiently.

So is it realistic? Perhaps as a gradual reform rather than a sudden change. It is essential that decisions be based on evidence, not on slogans.

Would you support a basic income in your country?

3.2

True or false?

  1. The Finnish trial gave payments to 2,000 unemployed people.
  2. Researchers found that the Finnish trial solved unemployment completely.
  3. The text says that both trials covered a whole country.
  4. Critics worry that a basic income may discourage work.
  5. The text recommends that decisions be based on evidence.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Would a basic income make people stop working?
  2. How should it be funded?
  3. Is it better than targeted welfare?
  4. What would you do with a basic income?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

It is (high) time + past simple

After it is time, it is high time and it is about time, use the past simple to talk about a present or future need. The meaning is that the action is already late. Use to-infinitive for a general statement without a subject.

It is high time governments acted. It is about time we changed the system. It is time to reform welfare.

Arguing for and against

Use the case for / against + noun, proponents argue that..., critics counter that..., and the Block 4 structures: formal register, cause and effect (owing to, lead to), the subjunctive (it is essential that it be...) and conditional alternatives (provided that, unless).

The case for basic income is growing. Critics counter that it discourages work. It is essential that the payment be unconditional. Unless the payment is high enough, it will not help.

Block 4 review

Use the grammar from this block.

formal register (L16) · cause and effect (L17) · the subjunctive (L18) · conditional alternatives: provided that, unless (L19)

Common mistakes: after it is (high) time use the past simple for a present or future need, use the case for / against, and review the block. ✗ It is high time governments act → acted. ✗ The case to a basic income → The case for. ✗ Unless the payment will be high → Unless the payment is high. ✗ It is essential that the payment is unconditional → be unconditional.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. It is high time governments
    .
  2. It is essential that the payment
    unconditional.
  3. The trial
    improved wellbeing.
  4. the funding is secure, the scheme can continue.
  5. The case
    a basic income is growing.
  6. It is widely
    that poverty has many causes.
  7. the payment is high enough, it will not help.
  8. Critics
    it is too costly.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. It is high time governments act. →
  2. It is essential that the payment is unconditional. →
  3. The trial led in improved wellbeing. →
  4. Unless the payment will be high, it will not help. →
  5. The case to a basic income is growing. →
  6. It is widely acknowledge that poverty has many causes. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use the grammar of Block 4.

  1. What is the strongest argument for a basic income, and what is the strongest against?
  2. It is high time governments tried something new. What would you try?
  3. Provided that it were affordable, would you support it?
  4. What conditions would you attach, if any?
  5. What might result from automation if nothing changes?
  6. It is essential that welfare be fair. What does fair mean to you?
5

Three views and a final talk

8 min
5.1

Three views on basic income

Three people discuss basic income. Compare them. Who is the most in favour? Who is the most against? Whose view is closest to yours?

Person 1

Dr Lahti, 49

  • Is a researcher in welfare policy
  • Says trials are promising
  • Warns that results are small
  • Insists on more evidence
Person 2

Peter, 61

  • Is an accountant
  • Says the scheme is too costly
  • Fears a dependency on the state
  • Prefers targeted help
Person 3

Sofia, 27

  • Works in the arts
  • Has irregular income
  • Says a basic income would give her security
  • Argues that it is high time society changed
5.2

Final talk of Block 4: economy and society

This is the final speaking task of Block 4. Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for two minutes.
  2. Part 1: say whether a universal basic income is realistic (use the case for or against).
  3. Part 2: use at least two structures from Block 4 (for example the subjunctive and a conditional alternative).
  4. Part 3: say what you would recommend to a government, using it is high time.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Would you want a basic income?
  2. What would you do if you received one?
  3. Do you think people would work less?
  4. Is your country's welfare system fair?
  5. Would you pay higher taxes for a safety net?
  6. Do you worry about automation?
  7. Should help go only to the poor?
  8. What would you change about welfare?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who in your family needs financial support?
  2. Who should decide who gets help?
  3. Who in your life would benefit most from a basic income?
  4. Who pays most of the taxes in your country?
  5. Who would oppose the scheme?
  6. Who do you trust to run a trial?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is a basic income fair?
  2. Is automation a real threat to jobs?
  3. Should the state guarantee everyone a living?
  4. Is work necessary for a meaningful life?
  5. Can poverty ever be eradicated?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

Presenting a proposal

You

Adviser

You present a basic income proposal to a committee (your teacher):
  • describe the scheme
  • give two benefits
  • explain how to fund it
  • answer a doubt
Speak for at least 2 minutes in total. Use Block 4 grammar.
Your teacher

Committee member

Says things like:
  1. What is your proposal?
  2. What are the benefits?
  3. How would it be funded?
  4. Is it realistic?
7.2

Final discussion for Block 4

You

Speaker

You are in a discussion group (your teacher). Talk about economy and society:
  • explain why countries differ
  • discuss gig work or cheap clothes
  • talk about housing and basic income
  • summarise your view
You do most of the talking. Use: formal register · owing to · it is essential that... be · provided that · it is high time
Your teacher

Group member

Says things like:
  1. Why are some countries richer?
  2. Is gig work fair?
  3. Can housing be affordable?
  4. Is basic income realistic?
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

unconditionalwelfarefundtaxationdependencyautomationinflationpilot
  1. A payment with no conditions attached is .
  2. State support for people in need is called .
  3. Critics ask how a government would the cost of such a scheme.
  4. Money for public services is raised mainly through .
  5. Critics fear that people may develop a on the state.
  6. Machines replacing human workers is known as .
  7. A general rise in prices over time is called .
  8. Before national roll-out, a small was tested in one town.
H2

Block 4 review: choose the correct form

  1. It is high time we the law.
  2. It is vital that the rule clear.
  3. The delay higher costs.
  4. the money is available, we can start.
  5. The case reform is strong.
  6. It is widely that the plan will work.
  7. prices fall, people will struggle.
  8. Experts it is too early.
H3

Correct or incorrect? (Block 4 review)

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. It is high time governments acted.
  2. It is high time governments act.
  3. It is essential that the payment be unconditional.
  4. It is essential that the payment is unconditional.
  5. The case for basic income is growing.
  6. The case to basic income is growing.
  7. Unless the payment is high enough, it will not help.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. The case for basic income
  2. The case against it
  3. It is high time governments
  4. It is essential that the payment
  5. Provided that the funding is secure,
  6. Owing to automation,
  7. Critics counter

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.