The Art of the Small Bet
Grammar: Modals of speculation and hedged future language
A Business English English lesson exploring business.
What's in this lesson
A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising modals of speculation and hedged future language. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary and discussion questions.
From the reading: The Art of the Small Bet
In 2006, a relatively unknown analyst at Morgan Stanley named Mary Meeker published a footnote in a research report. She noted, quietly, that more people would soon access the internet from a mobile device than from a desktop computer. It was not the headline. It was not the press release. But by 2014, she was right — and by 2020, mobile accounted for roughly 60 percent of global web traffic. The footnote had aged better than the front page.
Vocabulary
- aged better than
- bet on the constants
- move the needle
- too small to trend
- around
- for
- in
- over
Discussion questions
- Have you ever had a hunch about something at work that later turned out to be right?
- Do you think bold predictions or quiet observations drive better business decisions?
- What small change in your industry do you think most people are currently ignoring?
The Art of the Small Bet
Grammar: Modals of speculation and hedged future language
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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