Intermediate Three, Unit 5: Health and Happiness

Possibility in the past

Learning Objective

To talk about possibilities in the past using Past

Modals.
 Focus on the words in orange.

A: What could have happened? He looks better

than before.
B: I am not sure to be honest. But Tom has
definitely changed since we saw him last year.
Let’s start

A: He might have taken some pills to lose weight.

B: No, I don’t think so. He likes natural and organic
food.
A: I know! He must have started going to the gym.

What could Tom have done to lose weight?

 Complete the conversations with Must/May/Might Have
A: How did Ana lose all that weight?
a We use Might Have, May Have and Must Have to speculate
B: I have no idea. She might have had a
liposuction done.
Let’s Speak: Activity 1
A: Why is Juan sweating?
b B: He must have run this morning. He said he
wanted to start training. And you know he’s very
determined.
c A: Did Pauline leave through this door?
B: I’m not so sure, but she may have left before I
arrived. She said she was probably going to leave
early today.
Past Modals of Speculation
about the past. Must Have can be used when we are more
certain of our prediction and if we have evidence. May Have
is stronger than Might have and we use them to show we
are not so sure about our predictions.
A: Where’s Mimi?
B: I’m not sure. She may have left already.
A: Why is Titus crying?
B: He must have failed the course. He usually gets bad
grades.
They must have studied a lot to get that grade.
(almost certain)
She may (not) have had some problems with traffic.
He might (not) have had an accident.
(somewhat certain)
 Look at these photos. Speculate about what could have
happened before the events shown.

Examples
What could have happened?
She may have been very distracted.
What could have happened?
Let’s Speak: Activity 1

They must have studied a lot.

Feedback
Let’s Speak: Activity 1
 Create questions using Could Have. Then answer them using
Must/May/Might Have.
Questions about Possibilities in the Past
A: What could have happened to my wallet?
B: You must have left it at home.
A: Could he have killed the criminal?
could____
1. Who ___ killed (kill) Ciro Castillo?
have ____ B: He might have killed him.
Let’s Speak: Activity 2

2. What could
____ you teacher ____ have ____
done (do)
yesterday?
could they ____
3. Where ____ have ____
hidden(hide) the Inca
gold?
couldyour friend ____
4. How ___ have ____
lost (lose) weight?
 Read the short story. Speculate using Past Modals and extra
information.
Examples
What could have happened there?
She must have drunk a lot of wine. That is why she saw and
It was a dark quiet night. Karina was at heard all those things...
home walking to her bathroom. When she
Let’s Speak: Activity 2

went to the hallway she heard noises; like a

person's steps running. She got a little bit
scared. Then, after that, she saw the lights
of her bathroom turn on and off, but she
knew she was alone at home. When she
went to get her phone to call someone, all
the lights in her house went off.

What could have happened there?

Feedback
Let’s Speak: Activity 2
 Select what is true for you.
1. Now I can speculate about the past using Past Modals.
a. I can do it.
b. I am in progress.
c. I need more practice.
Let’s think!

2. Now I can ask questions and speculate about the past using Past
Modals.
a. I can do it.
b. I am in progress.
c. I need more practice.