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StartUp Level 6  Grammar Activities  Unit 8, Lesson 1, Page 90

Modals for past regrets and possibilities

Complete the statements and questions. Use the words in parentheses and perfect modals.

1. peanut butter when you were in the U.S. Everyone eats it there.
(you, could, try)

2. to the play last night. It was playing near their apartment.

(they, should, go)

3. the SUV. It uses too much gas.

(Jean and Ralph, should, not, buy)

4. at the meeting? Let’s call them to hear what happened.

(they, could, be)

5. Raquel about the weather report before she left.

(we, should, tell)

6. the movie? Didn’t it open last week?

(they, could, not, see)

7. the coffeemaker. It doesn’t work any more.

(I, might, break)

8. the concert. It’s too bad she didn’t go.

(Molly, may, like)

Complete each statement with the correct modal.

1. You met my grandmother. She was so nice!

a. should have b. could have

2. Ellen studied German if she wants to live in Berlin.

a. should have b. may have

3. I taken the train instead of this slow bus!

a. should have b. could have

4. I driven instead of taking the train. They’re both about the same.
a. should have b. could have

5. They weren’t nearby when the big accident happened. They seen it.
a. shouldn’t have b. couldn’t have

6. We bought that couch. It doesn’t go with our other furniture.

a. shouldn’t have b. might not have

7. My sister borrowed my sweater. I hope I didn’t lose it.

a. should have b. might have

8. The dogs scared the mail carrier. Maybe that’s why we didn’t get the package.
a. should have b. could have

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StartUp Level 6  Grammar Activities  Unit 8, Lesson 2, Page 92

Wish and if only: Review and expand

Write statements to express past wishes / regrets. For 1–4, use wish + the past perfect. For 5–8, use
if only + past perfect. Use contractions when possible.

1.
(she / he not buy / those red shoes)

2.
(Ted and Will / they take / the bus this morning)

3.
(I / you get / tickets for the concert)

4.
(most people / they study / more in school)

5.
(Sallie call / about the job)

6.
(Melony go / to the mall)

7.
(you tell / me sooner)

8.
(you study / medicine)
Rewrite the statements from Ex. A. Use the simple present and could to express present/
future wishes.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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StartUp Level 6  Grammar Activities  Unit 8, Lesson 3, Page 94

Comparisons between clauses

Combine the two sentences to make comparisons. Use the words in parentheses.

1. I want to eat cookies. I want to eat ice cream.

(more than)

2. I’m interested in film. I’m interested in music.

(less than)

3. Our band writes new songs. Our band practices old songs.

(more than)

4. The CEO travels around the country. The CEO works in her office.

(more than)

5. Rhea loves being with her husband. Rhea wants to travel to France.

(less than)

6. Judy hopes to learn Russian. Anton wants to teach Russian.

(less than)

7. Our new manager worries about details. Our old manager worried about details.

(more than)

8. That book explains Kenya’s history. All those books explain Kenya’s history.

(more than)

Rewrite the comparisons. Avoid repetition by removing words and using auxiliary verbs.

1. Miki wants to travel to Spain more than Annie wants to travel to Spain.

Miki wants to travel to Spain more than Annie does.

2. Jeremy hopes to travel to England more than he hopes to travel to France.

Jeremy hopes to travel to England more than France.

3. Our kids read books about elephants more than they read books about dinosaurs.

4. Jackie called home less than I called home.

5. I spent my time cleaning more than I spent my time watching TV.

6. Our school will attract international students more than their school will attract international students.

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7. Mrs. Malone was asked to help out more than the other parents were asked to help out.

8. I want to be eating tacos more than I want to be studying.

9. Al and Madison were talking less than Kim and Kevin were talking.

10. The chance to dance got us excited more than the chance to eat got us excited.

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