English | Primary One

Term 3 Week 2
Food and Nutrition
Name:
Date:

GRASPING
GRAMMAR
MODAL VERBS

Today, we will learn a little more about a special type of

helping verb called modal verbs!

Learning Outcomes
• Recall the different uses of modal verbs
• Use the appropriate modal
verbs in a sentence

© THE ETON ACADEMY

GRASPING GRAMMAR

Let’s Investigate!

Let’s have a look at some special words today! Have you seen them
before?

can may must could would

Below are some requests or statements that we might make in our daily
lives every day. Which of the helping words do you think fits each group?
Discuss with your classmates and fill in the blanks!

Special Word Example Sentences

• you play the piano?

• I swim the butterfly stroke.

• I borrow this pen, please?

• You watch the television after you have
finished your homework.

• I like one plate of chicken rice, please.

• you like to join us for dinner?

• I have another slice of cake, please?

• you help me, please?

• You keep quiet in the library.

• I finish my meal before I can play?

2
What do you notice about each group? Is there a common type of
situation in which you would use each special word? Write down your
observations below!

My Observations

Can

We use can when we are talking about whether we are

bl to do something.

May

We use may when we are talking about whether we are

ll w d to do something.

Must

We use must when we say that we h v to do something.

Could / Would

We use could or would when we are making a p l t

request.

© THE ETON ACADEMY

3
GRASPING GRAMMAR

Modal Verbs

Based on our discussions earlier, you would have realised that these special
words are words that we use when we are talking about situations with
different conditions, such as whether we are able to do something, or
whether we are allowed to do something.

Let’s explore each word in more detail below!

can

We use can when we are talking about whether we are able to do

something.

• Usain Bolt can run 100 metres in less than ten seconds.

• “Can you ride a bicycle?” John asked Jane.

may

We use may when we are asking or giving someone permission to do

something.

• “May I go to the toilet, please?” the student asked the teacher.

• “You may go to the playground after you have finished your chores,”
Mum told me.

4
 I wonder . . .

You often hear people say, “Can I go to

the toilet, please?” or “Can I borrow this
book, please?” Is it correct to use “can”
here?

must

We use must when we are talking about things that are necessary for us
to do or which we have to do.

• You must scan your TraceTogether token before entering the shopping
centre.

• Fariq must leave now if he does not want to be late for school.

could, would

We use could or would when we are trying to ask for something in a polite
manner.

• “Could you help me open this jar, please?” Tania asked her mother.

• “Would you like more water?” the waitress asked the customer.

• “I would like a ticket to the 3.00 p.m. show, please,” Bala told the sales
assistant.

© THE ETON ACADEMY

5
GRASPING GRAMMAR

Practice One

Now it’s your turn! Cailin is inviting her friend, Siti, to her birthday party.
Can you help her to figure out which are the correct modal verbs she
should use?

1 ( Would / Could ) you like to come to my birthday party this

Saturday?

2 The party is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You ( must / can ) come to my

house by walking from Hilside MRT or by taking the bus.

3 If you would like to have your face painted, you ( must / can ) arrive

before 3 p.m. as the artist will leave at 3.15 p.m.

4 ( Could / May ) you help me to tell your younger brother about the

party as well? He is invited to the party too.

5 If you are bringing along your pet kitten, ( may / can ) I play with it

too? I really like cats!

6 ( Can / Could ) you swim? There is also a pool that everyone can

jump into and play in.

7 If it rains, the party ( must / can ) end early.

6
Food Idioms

There are many phrases which contain food that we can use to talk about
different situations! Try guessing the correct answers below. Have fun!
1 2
A

3
P

4 5
B
6
T
7
C

P
Across
1 Charlie was very happy after the test as it was a piece of .
3 My older brother is a couch . He spends all his time in front of
the television.
4 I was furious when I found out Jessica had spilt the and told
everyone in class my secret.
7 Although she was nervous, she appeared as cool as a while
singing on stage.
Down
2 My younger sister always gets her way as she is the of our
father’s eye.
5 “We are surely in hot now!” Natalie cried when she and her
sibling broke their mother’s favourite vase.
6 I like eating chocolate, but eating ice cream is not my cup of .
© THE ETON ACADEMY
7