Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs

Grammar Workshop course

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STUDENT’S WORKSHEET - Introduction 1

Ex. 1 Read the following dialogue and fill in the list below.

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 to do it
yesterday. I prepared a nice supper for you.
John: Oh, thanks a lot, you didn't have to do it!

MODAL VERBS

OBLIGATION: __________________________________________

NO OBLIGATION: __________________________________________

PROHIBITION: __________________________________________

Ex. 2 Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verbs from the dialogue.

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.

4. I'm very sorry I'm late but I ________ help my brother in the garden.

5. I ________ go to the shop today because I bought everything yesterday.

6. Mike ________ come to work at 7 o'clock every day. It's a rule.

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.

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
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Grammar

STUDENT’S WORKSHEET - Introduction 2

Ex. 1 Read the following dialogue and fill in the list below.

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 could speak Spanish very
well, but I think I forgot everything.

MODAL VERBS:

ABILITY: __________________________________________

PERMISSION: __________________________________________

REQUEST: __________________________________________

Ex. 2 Fill in the gaps with correct forms of the verbs from the dialogue.

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.

5. I'm very sorry but I ________ help you. I'm in a hurry.

6. I ________ play tennis now but I ________ when I was younger.

7. Sorry, I ________ pick up the phone. I was in a meeting.

8. My car broke down. ________ I use your phone to call the mechanic?

9. Why ________ you be quiet for a moment, John?

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
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Grammar

STUDENT’S WORKSHEET - Introduction 3

Ex. 1 Read the following dialogue and fill in the list below.

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.
John: Yes I know, but these deadlines are very close. I think, you're
right. I should take a break.

MODAL VERBS:

ADVICE: __________________________________________

Ex. 2 Fill in the gaps with correct forms of the verbs from the dialogue.

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.

5. You really ________ eat so much sugar If you want to lose weight.

6. My knee hurts. I ________ stop running before it gets worse.

7. You ________ take more breaks while working at the computer.

8. I ________ be out so late. My parents will be angry.

9. You ________ call and say you are sorry, John.

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
materials
Grammar

 FLASHCARDS – Practice 1 – CUT OUT AND LAMINATE

Pair 1 A: You want to lose weight but you work a lot and your free time is
limited. Ask your partner for advice.

Pair 2 A: You want to go on holiday but you only have two days before you go.
Ask your partner for advice.

Pair 3 A: You want to buy a new TV set, but you know nothing about TVs. Ask
your partner for advice.

Pair 4 A: You want to sign up for a language course but you don't know any
schools in the city. Ask for advice.

Pair 5 A: You want to go to the cinema but you don't know which film to watch.
Ask your partner for advice.

Pair 1 B: Your partner wants to lose weight but his/her free time is limited.
Suggest something.

Pair 2 B: Your partner wants to go on holiday but he/she only has two days
before he/she goes. Suggest something.

Pair 3 B: Your partner wants to buy a new TV set but he/she knows nothing
about TVs. Suggest something.

Pair 4 B: Your partner wants to sign up for a language course but he/she
doesn't know and schools in the city. Suggest something.

Pair 5 B: Your partner wants to go to the cinema but he/she doesn't know which
film to watch. Suggest something.

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
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Grammar

STUDENT’S WORKSHEET – Practice 2

Ex. 1 Decide on the function of the modal verb in each sentence (obligation, no
obligation, prohibition, ability, permission, request, advice).

1. I'm sorry but I can't help you. I'm busy. __________________

2. You mustn't use your phone here. __________________

3. Could you help me find my keys? __________________

4. You had better take a break. __________________

5. I wasn't able to translate this text. __________________

6. You don't have to come to work tomorrow. __________________

7. You shouldn't eat so much sugar. __________________

8. We ought to find a new doctor now. __________________

9. I have to finish by Tuesday. __________________

10. You must do your homework, Michael. __________________

Ex. 2 Decide which modal verbs express the situation.

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.

3. You can come to work tomorrow. It's your decision.

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
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Grammar

a) You don't have to work tomorrow.

b) You must work tomorrow.

HOMEWORK
Ex. 1 Decide on the function of the modal verb in each sentence
(obligation, no obligation, prohibition, ability, permission, request,
advice).

1. What should I do with this? ______________

2. I can't come today, I'm working. ______________

3. Can you give me that book? ______________

4. You shouldn't be here. ______________

5. I must do the shopping today. ______________

6. You don't have to have a ticket. ______________

7. You ought to see you doctor. ______________

Ex. 2 Fill in the gaps with the correct form of modal verbs.

1. Simon ________ eat more healthy.

2. ________ you speak English when you were at school?

3. Unfortunately I ________ pass the test. I have to take it again.

4. You ________ drink and drive.

5. ________ (you) be 18 to drive a car in this country?

6. I ________ see the text. The letters are too small.

7. We ________ go. It's really late.

Date: _____________________________

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
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Grammar

Student’s surname and number: _____________________________

Teacher’s name: _____________________________

MODAL VERBS in a pill

CAN Ability, request, allowance

I can speak English.
I can do it later because my parents said so.
Can you help me?

BE ABLE TO Specific ability

I was able to pass the test even though I did not study very much.

COULD Ability in the past, polite request

I could swim when I was 7.
Could you help me?

MUST Obligation, order (internal, personal)

I must do it today because I feel it's important.

HAVE TO Obligation, order (external, emposed)

I have to do it because my boss told me to.

MUSTN'T Prohibition
You mustn't smoke here.

SHOULD/ Advice, friendly order

OUGHT TO You should go to see your doctor.
You really ought to eat less sweets.

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Extracted from Speak Up’s Modal Verbs
Grammar Workshop course
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Grammar

HAD BETTER Advice

You had better take a break.