Which word means to say what you think will happen in the future (verb)?

• A. Forecast
• B. Estimate
• C. Project
• D. Predict

Answer: (D)

This item tests your ability to express a future expectation with a simple verb. To say what you think will happen in the future is to predict. It directly communicates a statement about future events or outcomes, often based on reasoning, evidence, or patterns.

Forecast is close and common in formal writing, especially about weather or data-driven trends, but it’s typically more specific and data-driven than a general statement about the future. Estimate focuses on approximating numbers or quantities, not on declaring what will happen. Project is about planning or projecting future outcomes, often in business or research contexts, and can carry a sense of calculation based on trends, rather than a straightforward forecast of what will occur.

Example: Scientists predict that temperatures will continue to rise in the coming decades.