Spotlight Grammar

LESSON
Modal Verbs

B1
learning English in real life with authentic language
 You mustn’t do it!

I wasn’t able to finish it on time.

They don’t have to buy anything.

I couldn’t go there. READ OUT THE

SENTENCES AND
Did you have to read Hamlet?
DISCUSS THE
I should eat less. CONTEXT IN WHICH
EACH SENTENCE
I must go now.
MIGHT BE SAID.
Can you speak Vietnamese?

You had better watch out!

You ought to see the doctor.

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 The Boss: Hi, John, have you finished writing the report? You
remember you must finish today?
John: Yes, sir, I will give it to you in the evening.
On the phone:

John: Hey, Jane, I am really sorry, but I have to stay at work.

My boss told me I have to finish the report today. I
mustn't be late.
John's wife: Do you have to stay longer today? I thought you had READ THE FOLLOWING
to do it yesterday. I prepared a nice supper for you. DIALOGUE AND
John: Oh, thanks a lot, you didn't have to do it! COMPLETE THE TABLE .

MODAL VERBS
FUNCTION
PRESENT PAST

OBLIGATION

NO OBLIGATION

3 PROHIBITION xxx
 1. The teacher says I ________ do my homework.
2. I ________ do my homework. I know it will help me with
grammar.
3. When you are at school, you ________ use your phone in class. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH
4. I'm very sorry I'm late but I ________ help my brother in the THE CORRECT FORM OF
garden. THESE MODAL VERBS:
5. I ________ go to the shop today because I bought everything MUST
yesterday. HAVE TO
6. Mike ________ come to work at 7 o'clock every day. It’s a rule. MUSTN’T
7. ________ (you) get a visa to go to the USA?
8. I ________ go home. I feel it is getting really late.
9. I ________ go home. My mother told me to come before 10.
10. It was Saturday morning and I ________ get up early.

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 John's wife: John, can you help me please? I don't understand this
text, it's in Spanish.You can speak Spanish, right?
John: Sure, I can speak some Spanish, can I see this text?
Oh, I am sorry this is too difficult. I can't help you.
John’s wife: That's ok. Could you help me unpack the shopping
while you're here?
John: No problem, and I am sorry again. When I was at
school, I was able to pass every Spanish exam, I READ THE FOLLOWING
could speak Spanish very well, but I think I forgot DIALOGUE AND
everything. COMPLETE THE TABLE .

MODAL VERBS
FUNCTION
PRESENT PAST

ABILITY

PERMISSION

5 REQUEST xxx
 1. I ________ speak English. It's not a problem for me.
2. I ________ speak English when I was six. It was too difficult.
3. ________ you help me please?
4. When I was at school, I ________ pass every Spanish test. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH
5. I'm very sorry but I ________ help you. I'm in a hurry. THE CORRECT FORM OF
6. I ________ play tennis now but I ________ when I was THESE MODAL VERBS:
younger. CAN
7. Sorry, I ________ pick up the phone. I was in a meeting. BE ABLE TO
8. My car broke down. ________ I use your phone to call the
mechanic?
9. Why ________ you be quiet for a moment, John?
10. I’m a good driver but I ________ drive then because I was
really tired.

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 John's wife: What's wrong John, you don't look well.
John: I have a terrible headache. I can't concentrate and I
have to finish writing this report.
John’s wife: You had better take a break. You work too much,
you should rest a little. An hour of sleep ought
to make you feel better. You shouldn't work so
much. READ THE FOLLOWING
DIALOGUE AND
John: Yes, I know, but these deadlines are very close. I think,
you're right. I should take a break. COMPLETE THE TABLE .

FUNCTION MODAL VERBS

ADVICE

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 1. You ________ go to see your doctor.
2. In this situation you ________ take a break.
3. What ________ I do with my problem?
4. If you want to keep fit, you ________ exercise a lot. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH
5. You really ________ eat so much sugar If you want to lose THE CORRECT FORM OF
weight. THESE MODAL VERBS:
6. My knee hurts. I ________ stop running before it gets worse. SHOULD
7. You ________ take more breaks while working at the OUGHT TO
computer. HAD BETTER
8. I ________ be out so late. My parents will be angry.
9. You ________ call and say you are sorry, John.

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 1. I was busy yesterday and I __________ help you.

2. You __________ use your phone on the plane.

COMPLETE THE GAPS WITH
3. __________ you help me find my keys?
THE CORRECT FORM OF
4. You look tired. You __________ take a break.
THESE MODAL VERBS:
5. I’m really sorry but I __________ translate this text last Friday.
THEN, WRITE A
FUNCTION IN THE SPACE
6. You __________ come to work tomorrow. It’s Saturday.
PROVIDED NEXT TO
7. You __________ eat so much sugar. It’s not good for your health.
EACH SENTENCE . USE
8. Ted __________ ride a bicycle when he was five. He was really good.
THE FOLLOWING
9. I __________ finish this report by Tuesday.
FUNCTIONS:
10. You __________ do your homework, Michael.
ABILITY
11. Oh, it’s 8 o’clock already. I __________ go.
PERMISSION
12. I __________ pay for the ticket as the show was free.
ADVICE
13. You __________ drive a car when you are 15 years old.
PROHIBITION
14. I’m not good at maths. I __________ help you.
NO OBLIGATION
15. I’m sorry I didn’t come to your party. I __________ stay with my
grandma. REQUEST
16. Mom, __________ I go to the disco with Mark? OBLIGATION
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 1. You want to lose weight.

a. You really shouldn't eat fast food if you want to lose weight.
b. You really don't have to eat fast food if you want to lose weight.

2. You have a deadline at work.

a. I have to finish this task by Friday.

b. I should finish this task by Friday. DECIDE WHICH MODAL
VERBS EXPRESS THE
3. You can come to work tomorrow. It's your decision. SITUATION.
a. You don't have to work tomorrow.
b. You must work tomorrow.

4. Yesterday you were really busy and didn’t help your friend.

a. You couldn’t help because you were busy.

b. You can’t help because you are busy.
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 5. When you drive, it’s obligatory to fasten your seat belts.

a. You should fasten your seat belts.

b. You have to fasten your seat belts.

6. The concert is for free.

a. You don’t have to pay for the ticket.

b. You mustn’t pay for the ticket. DECIDE WHICH MODAL
VERBS EXPRESS THE
7. Yesterday you had a day off. SITUATION.
a. You didn’t have to go to work.
b. You couldn’t go to work.

8. Last Friday you felt really sick and you didn’t go to the meeting.

a. You didn’t have to go to the meeting.

b. You weren’t able to go to the meeting.
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 • Ask your teacher if it is possible to open the window.
1

• You’re really tired and you won’t join your friends in

2 theevening.

READ OUT SITUATIONS

• You knew how to play tennis when you were 10 years
3 old. AND FORM SENTENCES
USING THE REVISED
MODAL VERBS.
• Your friend has a terrible toothache.
4

• Your friend wants to smoke on the train.

5

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 • You were ready to take a level test but the school was
6 closed.

• Your friend knows how to speak Russian really well.

7

READ OUT SITUATIONS

• Your friend smokes a lot of cigarettes. It’s bad for his
8 health. AND FORM SENTENCES
USING THE REVISED
MODAL VERBS.
• Ask your teacher if doing homework is obligatory.
9

• Ask your grandpa if working on Saturday was

10 obligatorywhen he was young.

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