Hope for 2026
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
1/3/2026
WARM-UP
Answer quickly. No right or wrong answers.
Do you usually feel hopeful at the start of a new year?
Do you think the future will be better than the past?
Are people generally optimistic in your country?
VOCABULARY
Essential (A1–B1)
opportunity – a time or situation that makes something possible
Example: A new year feels like an opportunity to start again.
economy – how money, jobs, and business work in a country
Example: Many people worry about the economy.
future – the time that has not happened yet
Example: People think about the future a lot.
survey – questions asked to many people to collect opinions
Example: The company used a survey to learn what people think.
positive – hopeful or good
Example: She feels positive about next year.
Developed (B2–C2)
optimistic – hopeful and confident about the future
Example: Many respondents are optimistic about 2026.
respondent – a person who answers questions in a survey
Example: Each respondent shared their opinion.
global economy – the economic system of the whole world
Example: People are unsure about the global economy.
percentage – a part of 100
Example: A high percentage believes next year will improve.
in store – going to happen in the future
Example: No one knows what the future has in store.
READING
Introduction
This article looks at how people around the world feel about the future. It focuses on whether people believe 2026 will be better than 2025, based on a global survey.
(Read at your level. Do not translate every word.)
Article (All Levels)
People often see a new year as a fresh start. It feels like an opportunity to leave problems behind and hope for better times.
According to a global survey, many people believe that 2026 will be better than 2025. While many said that 2025 was a bad year, more people feel positive about what is coming next.
Developed Article (B1–C2)
Survey company Ipsos asked people in 30 countries about their experiences in 2025 and their expectations for 2026. Although 66% said 2025 was a bad year for their country, 71% believe that 2026 will be better.
However, optimism is not equal everywhere. People in Indonesia are the most optimistic, while people in France and Japan are more pessimistic. Opinions about the global economy remain mixed, suggesting uncertainty about what the future has in store.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
Answer based on your level.
A1–A2
What do people think about a new year?
Was 2025 a good year for most people?
Do many people think 2026 will be better?
B1–B2
Why do people see a new year as an opportunity?
What did the Ipsos survey measure?
Why are opinions different across countries?
C1–C2
Why can optimism exist even after a bad year?
How do national experiences affect future expectations?
What does uncertainty about the global economy suggest?
SPEAKING
A1–A2 — Foundation
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions.
(Answer + 1 reason)
“I think ___ because ___.”
“I usually ___.”
“I feel ___ about this.”
Personal Questions
Do you feel hopeful about the new year?
Was last year good for you?
Do you like making new plans?
Do you think the future will improve?
Are you optimistic by nature?
Do surveys reflect real opinions?
Do you worry about the economy?
Do you set goals every year?
Do people complain too much?
Do you think change is possible?
Is hope important?
Do you expect surprises this year?
Do you talk about the future often?
Do you trust statistics?
Do you want next year to be better?
B1–B2 — Expansion
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions.
(Answer + reason + 2 details)
“I believe ___ because ___; for example, ___ and ___.”
“One reason is ___.”
“This leads to ___.”
Personal Questions
Why do people feel hopeful at the start of a year?
How does a bad year affect future expectations?
Why might optimism differ between countries?
How reliable are global surveys?
Does economic stability affect happiness?
Why do people expect improvement after difficulties?
How does media influence optimism?
Are people realistic about the future?
Should governments encourage optimism?
How do personal experiences shape expectations?
Why is uncertainty about the economy common?
Can optimism improve behavior?
Do cultural attitudes affect hope?
Is pessimism ever useful?
Can expectations change outcomes?
C1–C2 — Depth & Reflection
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions.
(Reason + multiple details + consequence or reflection)
“I believe ___ because ___; for instance, ___, ___, and ___; as a result, ___.”
“One major concern is ___.”
“In the long term, this could ___.”
Personal Questions
Why do societies need optimism after crisis periods?
How do expectations influence economic behavior?
Is optimism more emotional or rational?
How can unrealistic optimism be harmful?
Should leaders shape public expectations intentionally?
How do global inequalities affect optimism levels?
Can pessimism protect people from disappointment?
How does uncertainty shape long-term planning?
Is hope a form of resilience?
How do collective beliefs affect national progress?
Should surveys guide policy decisions?
How do historical patterns influence future expectations?
Can optimism be culturally taught?
How does optimism relate to responsibility?
What role should individuals play in shaping the future?
