1 Diagnostic › 2 Auction & Flip › 3 The Gauntlet

Bid, Fix & Flip

B2 Grammar Series · Lesson 2 of 3 · Error Auction

Warm-Up
The Auction
Fix It
Flip Debate
The Final Round
Check

Spot the Difference

Each pair has one correct sentence and one with an error. Which is which?

A: "I've lived here for three years."

B: "I've lived here since three years."

Which one is correct? Why is the other one wrong?
↓ Check

A is correct. Use for + duration (three years), since + point in time (since 2023).

A: "If I had more time, I would travel the world."

B: "If I would have more time, I would travel the world."

Which one is correct? What's the rule?
↓ Check

A is correct. Second conditional: if + past simple, NOT if + would. "Would" only goes in the result clause.

Today's Challenge

Today: spotting errors under pressure and arguing both sides of an issue — accuracy and critical thinking at the same time.

Two games. One lesson. Let's go.

Quick Fire: Correct or Not?

Say whether each sentence is correct or has an error. Trust your instincts.

"I've been living here since three years."

↓ Tap to check

Error — "for three years" (since + point in time, for + duration)

"Despite being tired, she finished the project on time."

↓ Tap to check

Correct ✓

"If I would have known, I would have come earlier."

↓ Tap to check

Error — "If I had known..." (third conditional: if + past perfect)

"The number of people who work from home have increased."

↓ Tap to check

Error — "has increased" (the number = singular subject)

How It Works

You start with $500. Below are 10 sentences — exactly 5 have errors and 5 are correct.

  • Bid $100 on any sentence you think has an error
  • Correct bid → you win $200 back (your $100 + $100 profit)
  • Wrong bid → you lose your $100
  • Miss an error → no cost, but no profit either

Find all 5 errors = you finish with $1,000. Can you do it?

YOUR BUDGET
$500

Now Fix Them

Here are the sentences that had errors. Correct each one — say it out loud first, then type your correction.

Complete the auction first, then come back here to fix the errors.

The Flip

You'll see a statement. First, argue FOR it for 90 seconds. Then immediately argue AGAINST it for 90 seconds.

The challenge: your arguments against must be DIFFERENT from simply reversing your arguments for. Find genuinely new angles.

Useful Language

The way I see it... You could argue that... On the other hand... Having said that... That's precisely why... What people overlook is... It comes down to... The counterargument would be...
"Social media has made us better communicators."

FOR — 90 seconds

Argue why this is TRUE

AGAINST — 90 seconds

Argue why this is FALSE

1:30 tap to start
"University is no longer worth the cost."

FOR — 90 seconds

Argue why this is TRUE

AGAINST — 90 seconds

Argue why this is FALSE

1:30 tap to start
"Working from home is better for everyone."

FOR — 90 seconds

Argue why this is TRUE

AGAINST — 90 seconds

Argue why this is FALSE

1:30 tap to start

Bid, Fix & Flip — Combined

This time, both skills together. You'll see 4 statements. Each one has either a language error OR it's a debate statement. You decide which — then act.

  • If it's an error → fix it and explain the rule
  • If it's a debate topic → give a 60-second argument FOR, then flip AGAINST
"If the government would invest more in public transport, cities would be much cleaner."
↓ Error or debate? Decide, then check

Error! → "If the government invested more..." (second conditional: if + past simple)

SPEAK: Correct the sentence and explain when we use the second conditional vs. the third conditional.
"People should be required to do one year of community service before the age of 25."
↓ Error or debate? Decide, then check

Debate! → This sentence is grammatically correct.

1:00 tap to start

FOR — 60s

AGAINST — 60s

"The amount of people attending live events have dropped significantly since 2020."
↓ Error or debate? Decide, then check

Error! → "The number of people... has dropped" (amount = uncountable, number = countable; the number = singular)

SPEAK: When do you use "amount" vs "number"? Give 2 examples of each.
"It's impossible to be truly happy without meaningful work."
↓ Error or debate? Decide, then check

Debate! → This sentence is grammatically correct.

1:00 tap to start

FOR — 60s

AGAINST — 60s

The 2-Minute Extended Turn

Pick ONE of today's debate topics. Speak for 2 full minutes — but this time, present BOTH sides and finish with your own conclusion.

Structure: "Some people argue... However, others believe... Personally, I think... because..."

2:00 tap to start

Quick Review

Without looking back — from memory:

SPEAK: What are 3 grammar rules you used today to correct sentences? Give an example of each.
SPEAK: What's the difference between "the number of" and "the amount of"? When do you use "since" vs "for"?

Reflection

Which was harder — finding errors or arguing both sides? Why do you think that is?

When you argued AGAINST your own opinion, what happened? Did you discover any arguments that actually changed your mind?

Which grammar errors from the auction would you still make in real conversation? Be honest — which ones are tricky for you?

I can...

We said you'd be able to spot errors under pressure and argue both sides of an issue. Can you?

↓ Tap to see the "I can" checklist
  • I can identify common B2 grammar errors in written sentences
  • I can explain WHY something is wrong, not just fix it
  • I can argue convincingly for a position I agree with
  • I can argue convincingly AGAINST my own opinion
  • I can use discourse markers to structure my arguments
What helped you learn most today?