ROADMAP B2+

Roadmap B2+ is Pearson’s upper-intermediate-to-advanced bridge level, covering GSE 65–77 and roughly CEFR B2+ (67–75). It is designed for learners who can already communicate fairly well in English and now need more complex grammar, richer vocabulary, and greater fluency in discussions, presentations, and writing.

Level and purpose

The book is the level between Roadmap B2 and Roadmap C1. Its lessons are built around “Can Do” goals, so instead of only studying grammar, you practice using English for real tasks such as negotiating, presenting information, telling detailed stories, and writing arguments.

It follows the same structure as the rest of the series: 10 core units, plus skills lessons for listening, reading, and writing, and English in Action lessons for practical communication.

Unit-by-unit syllabus

Unit	Main grammar / language	Key vocabulary	Practical speaking goal
1	Cleft sentences; narrative tenses; exaggeration; negotiating solutions	Free-time activities; helping people; work; disputes	Persuade people to try activities; narrate a story; negotiate a dispute
2	Future in the past; double comparatives; negative questions	Injuries and illnesses; charities; urban change	Describe experiences and places; give a clear presentation; recommend action
3	Ways of expressing the future; verb patterns and reporting; even and hardly	Weather; law and courts; sports; gender stereotypes	Discuss plans and probability; express opinions; give a structured presentation
4	Defining and non-defining relative clauses; noun phrases; prepositions	Age groups; clothes and fashion; identity	Describe people and choices; discuss significant life decisions
5	Continuous forms; participle clauses; translation and collocation	Commuting; geography; homes; hosting guests	Lead a discussion; compare solutions; describe places in detail
6	Adverbs and adverbial phrases; further passive constructions; word patterns	Businesses; events; arts	Describe business changes; discuss consequences; express opinions idiomatically
7	Must and can’t for deduction; second, third, and mixed conditionals; linking ideas	Life’s ups and downs; news; elections; statistics	Discuss hypothetical situations; evaluate arguments; explain visual data
8	Complex questions; auxiliary verbs; complex narratives	Jobs; sleep; food and cooking	Exchange work-related information; compare ideas; give detailed instructions
9	Not only and no sooner/as soon as; will and would for habits; I wish + would	Feelings; habits; trends; idioms	Tell detailed stories; discuss trends; manage informal conversations
10	Prepositions; linking words and phrases; puns	Science; book reviews; humour	Discuss complex texts and abstract topics; give reasons; tell anecdotes

This syllabus is taken from Pearson’s official Roadmap B2+ GSE Mapping Booklet, which maps each unit to specific GSE and CEFR learning objectives.

Skills you develop

Speaking

The main emphasis is on speaking with more precision and flexibility. You practice persuading others, negotiating, leading discussions, presenting with visuals, expressing hypothetical ideas, and participating in fast, informal conversations.[

Listening

Listening tasks include informal conversations, radio programs, public announcements, TV news, interviews, lectures, and discussions. The book trains you to recognize irony, indirect disagreement, rhetorical questions, and speakers who avoid answering directly.

Reading

Reading lessons develop strategies for understanding complex texts: identifying persuasive language, distinguishing fact from opinion, inferring meaning from context, recognizing paraphrase, and understanding cause-and-effect relationships.

Writing

Writing tasks include detailed descriptions, emails that build rapport, argumentative essays with counterarguments, reviews of cultural events, narratives about personal experiences, and longer texts using cohesive devices.

Grammar focus

By the end of Roadmap B2+, you should be comfortable with:

Cleft sentences, such as What I need is more time.
Narrative tenses and complex storytelling.
Future forms, conditionals, and hypothetical language.
Relative clauses, participle clauses, and noun phrases.
Passive constructions and adverbial phrases.
Complex question forms and auxiliary verbs.
Linking words for academic or argumentative writing.

Vocabulary focus

The vocabulary is broader and more idiomatic than at B2. It includes free-time activities, work, disputes, health, urban change, law, sports, fashion, identity, commuting, business, the arts, news, elections, food, feelings, trends, science, and humour.