{"title":"Why Do We Procrastinate? — Gerunds and Infinitives","intro":"Explore why people delay tasks and practise verbs followed by -ing and to + infinitive.","level":"B1","blocks":[{"id":"warm_up","type":"warm_up","content":"

Which picture best describes how you feel when you have an important task to do? Why?

","order":0,"warm_up_mode":"meme_grid","meme_items":[{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/736x/1c/6e/35/1c6e35908fc18e6848e863198c1528f0.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-008.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/736x/86/ae/51/86ae5124c789e1ec6d09515d12de6719.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-002.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-018.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-028.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-034.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-005.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-030.png"}]},{"id":"topic_entry","type":"open_question","content":"

Think about your own habits and answer:

What kinds of tasks do you usually put off?
What distracts you when you work or study?
Do you usually start early or wait until the last minute?

","order":1,"title":"Quick self-check","image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/06e6b7345c9c4d12bf4e6ad282d6620d.webp"],"image_source_urls":["https://www.betterup.com/hubfs/woman-looking-stressed-working-from-home-on-laptop-ted-talks-procrastination-1.jpg"]},{"id":"theory1","type":"theory","content":"**Meaning:**

After some verbs, we use verb + -ing. After others, we use to + infinitive. Learn each verb together with its pattern.

\n\n**Form:**

verb + -ing: avoid checking, keep working
verb + to + infinitive: decide to start, plan to finish

\n\n**Examples:**

I avoid checking my phone while I work.
She suggested making a short list.
He decided to start with one small task.
We hope to finish before the deadline.

\n\n**Common mistake:**

~~I avoid to check my phone.~~ → I avoid checking my phone.

\n\n**Note:**

Common verbs

Verb + -ing: avoid, enjoy, finish, suggest, consider, keep, practise, recommend
Verb + to + infinitive: want, need, decide, hope, plan, promise, expect, learn

","order":2,"title":"Gerunds and Infinitives: basics","image_type":"grammar_explainer","images":[],"image_source_urls":["https://www.really-learn-english.com/image-files/gerunds-and-infinitives-chart-small.jpg"]},{"id":"media","type":"media","content":"","order":3,"title":"Grammar in Movies","media_type":"video","search_queries":["gerunds and infinitives","gerund infinitive examples movies series clips","gerund infinitive real conversation examples native speakers"],"purpose":"usage_example","target_concept":"gerunds and infinitives","url":"https://youtu.be/BItR5mh-URw?is=y4iWCfSvqrFSr_-6","images":["http://82.40.56.182/vi/XDShcFitDC8/3.jpg"],"media_purpose":"usage_example"},{"id":"block-1782907505075-uffn3","type":"matching","content":"

Match the words and phrases with their definitions.

","order":4,"pairs":[{"left":"to put off","right":"to delay doing something"},{"left":"to break a task into smaller steps","right":"to divide a big task into easier parts"},{"left":"the five-minute rule","right":"a method of working for five minutes to help yourself start"},{"left":"a to-do list","right":"a list of tasks you need to complete"},{"left":"a deadline","right":"the final time or date for completing something"},{"left":"a timer","right":"a tool that measures a period of time"},{"left":"to take a short break","right":"to stop working and rest briefly"},{"left":"to wait for motivation","right":"to wait until you feel ready to start"},{"left":"to start with one small step","right":"to begin with one easy action"},{"left":"a distraction","right":"something that takes your attention away from a task"}],"title":"Vocabulary check"},{"id":"mc1","type":"multiple_choice","content":"Choose the correct option.","order":5,"title":"Quick check","questions":[{"content":"I avoid ___ my phone while I work.","options":["check","checking","to check","checked"],"correct_answer":1},{"content":"She decided ___ the task into smaller steps.","options":["break","breaking","to break","broke"],"correct_answer":2},{"content":"My friend suggested ___ for five minutes.","options":["work","working","to work","worked"],"correct_answer":1},{"content":"He keeps ___ the task until the evening.","options":["put off","putting off","to put off","putted off"],"correct_answer":1},{"content":"We hope ___ before the deadline.","options":["to finish","finishing","finished","finish"],"correct_answer":0}]},{"id":"reading","type":"reading","content":"

Mia had to prepare a presentation by Friday. She wanted to make it perfect, so the task felt bigger every time she thought about it. Instead of starting, she kept checking messages, cleaning her desk, and watching short videos. By Wednesday, she felt stressed, but she still avoided working on the presentation.

Her friend Leo suggested using the five-minute rule. The idea was simple: choose one small action and promise to work for only five minutes. Mia decided to try it. She put her phone in another room, made a short to-do list, and planned to write only the title and three main ideas.

After five minutes, Mia kept working because the task no longer felt impossible. The next day, she used a 25-minute timer and took a short break after each session. She also decided to finish a simple first version before improving the slides.

By Thursday evening, the presentation was ready. Mia learned that waiting for motivation made the task harder. Now she plans to start with one small step instead of waiting for the perfect moment.

\n\nQuestions on the text:\n1. Why did Mia keep delaying the presentation?\n2. What did Leo suggest doing?\n3. What three actions helped Mia start?\n4. Why did she keep working after five minutes?\n5. Which strategy would be most useful for you? Why?","order":6,"title":"How Mia Finally Started"},{"id":"prod1","type":"open_question","content":"

Which part of Mia’s story is most similar to your habits?
What do you usually avoid doing?
What do you keep doing instead?
Which strategy from the text do you plan to try?

Use at least three target verbs: avoid, keep, plan, decide, hope.

","order":7,"title":"Your Procrastination Pattern","image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/33a1ecbf6a744909b303ff457ebe3593.jpeg"],"image_source_urls":["https://images.peopleimages.com/picture/202507/3271192-hands-person-and-writing-on-journal-in-home-for-reminder-agenda-or-planning-with-ideas-diary-notes-and-senior-woman-with-notebook-for-checklist-tasks-and-schedule-with-information-for-to-do-list-fit_400_400.jpg"]},{"id":"fill_gap1","type":"fill_gap","content":"After finishing the presentation, Mia decided ___ (change) her routine. She plans ___ (start) important tasks earlier and avoid ___ (check) messages while working. She keeps ___ (use) the five-minute rule and hopes ___ (feel) less stressed. Leo also suggested ___ (prepare) a short to-do list the night before.","order":8,"title":"Mia’s New Routine","options":["to change","to start","checking","using","to feel","preparing"],"correct_answer":"to change ... to start ... checking ... using ... to feel ... preparing","gap_answers":[{"index":1,"answer":"to change"},{"index":2,"answer":"to start"},{"index":3,"answer":"checking"},{"index":4,"answer":"using"},{"index":5,"answer":"to feel"},{"index":6,"answer":"preparing"}]},{"id":"prod2","type":"open_question","content":"

Choose one situation:

A. A student has an exam in three days but keeps watching videos.
B. An adult has an important report but keeps answering unimportant messages.

Give the person four practical tips.

Use all four patterns:
avoid + -ing
keep + -ing
suggest + -ing
decide / plan / need + to-infinitive

","order":9,"title":"Help a Procrastinator","image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/d2a0933412444f38a5b545b03de8a92b.jpeg"],"image_source_urls":["https://www.betterup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group-Of-Friends-Having-Lunch-In-Cafe.jpeg?width=1446&name=Group-Of-Friends-Having-Lunch-In-Cafe.jpeg"]},{"id":"mc2","type":"multiple_choice","content":"Choose the correct option (sometimes both are possible but meaning changes).","order":10,"title":"Harder check","questions":[{"content":"Mia ___ checking messages instead of working.","options":["kept","decided","hoped","promised"],"correct_answer":0},{"content":"Leo ___ using the five-minute rule.","options":["suggested","planned","wanted","hoped"],"correct_answer":0},{"content":"Mia ___ to leave her phone in another room.","options":["kept","avoided","decided","suggested"],"correct_answer":2},{"content":"She ___ watching short videos while she worked.","options":["hoped","avoided","planned","promised"],"correct_answer":1},{"content":"Now she ___ to start important tasks earlier.","options":["avoids","suggested","hopes","keeps"],"correct_answer":2}]},{"id":"homework","type":"homework","content":"

My Anti-Procrastination Plan

Write a 7–9 sentence anti-procrastination plan. Include:

one task you keep putting off;
one distraction you plan to remove;
two strategies from the lesson;
the result you hope to achieve.

Use at least five target verbs followed by -ing or to + infinitive.

Starter:

I keep putting off... I plan to start... I will avoid checking... I hope to finish...

","order":11,"title":"Homework","image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/1e0ed6c0f81b49c8acb190e78187273f.jpeg"],"image_source_urls":["https://live.staticflickr.com/2416/1810473578_c9531aa951_b.jpg"]}]}