Download this free B1–B2 English worksheet PDF for English learners and teachers. This lesson is based on a recent Psychology Today article about uncertainty, waiting for answers and why not knowing can sometimes feel more stressful than receiving definite bad news.
Students practise reading comprehension, useful vocabulary, phrase matching and speaking skills through a real-world psychology and everyday-life topic about uncertainty, waiting, stress, delayed decisions, travel, job applications, tracking information and backup plans. The worksheet is suitable for private English lessons, online classes, classroom teaching, homework and discussion practice.
The article explains the topic in clear, accessible English. Students read about research on intolerance of uncertainty, including an experiment in which people facing a 50% chance of a mild electric shock showed more stress than people who knew the shock would definitely happen.
This worksheet helps B1–B2 learners discuss how they deal with uncertainty in everyday English. Students talk about waiting for exam results, job decisions, visas, flights or deliveries, whether regular updates make waiting easier, and whether modern tracking technology has made people less patient.
The article also explores the positive side of uncertainty. Students read that surprises, close sports matches and unexpected trips can be exciting because the outcome is unknown, and that small, low-risk experiences with uncertainty may help people become more comfortable with it.
The PDF includes a B1–B2 reading text, True / False questions, Phrase Match, Synonym Match, a task where students use new language, discussion questions and a full answer key. It helps learners build useful vocabulary for talking about uncertain outcomes, confirmed information, relief, unpleasant possibilities, sensible choices, deliberate practice and likely results.
Level: B1–B2
Date: 22 September 2026
Focus: reading, vocabulary, uncertainty, stress, decision-making and speaking
This free worksheet includes:
- a B1–B2 reading text about uncertainty and stress
- True / False comprehension questions
- Phrase Match practice with useful expressions
- Synonym Match vocabulary practice
- a sentence-writing task using new language
- discussion questions for Student A and Student B
- full answer key
The worksheet includes useful phrases such as find out, deal with, run through, calm down, keep an eye on, make up your mind, put off, prepare for, get carried away and look forward to. It also practises vocabulary such as uncertain, outcome, confirmed, regular, relief, unpleasant, sensible, deliberate, positive and likely.
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