Here is a review of all modal verbs so you can reinforce your knowledge. You will have a brief explanation, practice, application and production of the modal verbs.
Modal verbs express the modality of the verb, possibility, necessity, ability or any other condition. Modal verbs help understand the full meaning of a text. It is essential to understand them so that you don't get confused with the purpose of the text.
A Miracle
An old lady had been to La Villa de Guadalupe, and as she went through the customs on her way home, the customs officer found a bottle in a suitcase.
- “This must be tequila,” he said.
- “Oh no,” said the old lady. “It’s holy water from La Villa de Guadalupe.”
The customs officer opened the bottle to smell the liquid.
- “That is tequila,” he said.
- “Praise be to God!” said the old lady. “Another miracle!”
Adapted by: Castillo, M. (2016)
By the end of this topic, you will:
Use modal verbs by practising and applying them correctly to ask for permission, express requests, abilities, opinions, suggestions, obligation, prohibition and possibilities
Check the following chart. It will help you to remember modal verbs.
SUGGESTIONS AND HYPOTHETICAL ADVICE
OBLIGATION AND PROHIBITION
LACK OF NECESSITY
POSSIBILITY
PERMISSION, REQUEST AND ABILITY
Activity 1
Have you ever asked for advice to solve a problem or given advice to someone else?
You will read about people dealing with travelling problems and the advice given by an expert in a magazine. Please read the text carefully to understand it and the way modal verbs are used.
Click on the image to make it bigger.
Once you have checked the chart about modals read the text and answer the following questions to understand some details:
Activity 2
It’s time to use modals to give advice. Choose one of the following problems and write a response as if you were Amy. Give at least three suggestions. Don’t forget to use modal verbs.
Remember
Answer:
Dear Joaquín / Güicho,
If I were you, I would … ___________________
You shouldn’t / ought to / must … _____________
You may / might not /don’t have to … ________
You have to /can /could … ____________________
Amy
The following list will help you, besides the checklist:
• Possibility
• Prohibition
• Ability
• Hypothetical advice
• Lack of necessity
• Obligation
• Advice
Use the following chart to self-evaluate, read what is expected from your writing task. Here you have an example.
Activity 3
How often do you go on vacation?
What do you prefer, archaeological zones, national parks, or the beach?
Do you know any place that has these three characteristics?
You will listen to an audio about a beautiful place in Mexico called Xcaret. It’s a magical place.
Listen carefully to some rules and suggestions to keep in mind if you decide to visit this place. Then, do the activities.
NA. (2014). Xcaret. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/xcaret-mexico-mar-tourism-trees-352125/
NA. (2014). Costa. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/flight-cancun-air-vision-plane-976604/
Michelle, M. (2016). Playa. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/ocean-cancun-mexico-bird-waves-1229697/
1 General Idea. For the first time that you listen to something in English, you must get a general idea. Practice with this listening, then choose the best title.
To hear audios click here:
What's the best title of the audio?
Right. Recommendations to plan your visit is the correct answer because they offer rules and suggestions needed to visit Xcaret.
Activity 4
Listen again and select True for the words that you hear in the audio if they are not mentioned click on False.
Activity 5
You have explored the details in the listening. Now, it’s time to focus on the function of the modals. Listen again and drag the correct modal that you hear in each sentence. Some modal verbs can be used twice.
Activity 6
Now, read the following sentences and match the function to the modal verb.
Activity 7
Mexican Home Stay Family
Have you ever been to a foreign country?
Were the language and customs strange or different?
Did any of them surprise you?
You are going to write an article giving some advice to foreign-language students coming to Mexico and staying with a host family. Think about some tips, rules or suggestions that can help the student.
Use the categories or ideas below that are more relevant to our culture.
Write a 150 - 180-word paragrah using modals to express your ideas. Use the rubrics for self-evaluation. Click here to read an example.
How to Behave with a Mexican Homestay Family
Charles, A. (2014). Enchiladas.
Tomado de https://pixabay.com/es/m%C3%A9xico-enchilada-los-alimentos-245240/
If you are planning to come to Mexico and stay with a Mexican host family, there are some key things I can pass on to get the best out of your stay. I hope these things are useful!
you should / might / can / have to…
Use these questions to check your writing.
Are you using modal verbs to give your opinion?
Did you check grammar, spelling, vocabulary and style?
Are you separating the ideas in paragraphs?
Are you using linking words?
Activity 8
Rules in a touristic place in Mexico.
Think about one of the beautiful or exciting places that you have visited in Mexico. It could be a park (Chapultepec Park), a museum (Universum), an archaeological zone (Templo Mayor), etc. Now, think of the rules or tips that you could give to a new visitor. Prepare it and make a draft.
Include the following aspects:
What and where the place is.
Give some recommendations to visit that place.
Explain some of the rules that you observe in that place.
Don’t forget to express your ideas using modal verbs.
To hear audio click here:
Before you sketch your activity, check if you:
a) Carried out speech according to the instructions.
b) Explain the touristic place rules using modal verbs.
c) Use modal verbs according to grammar and function.
d) Use adequate vocabulary, grammar and structure.
e) Give correct pronunciation, intonation and stress.
f) Give the proper length to your speech.
Tick (✓) if you have covered all the writing elements correctly. Then compare your audio to the example provided for a self-evaluation.
Exercise 1
Now that you’ve reviewed grammar and have done some activities, it’s time to test your knowledge about modal verbs. Match the following modal verbs with its function:
Exercise 2
Do you have any brothers or sisters? How do you get along with them?
Read some paragraphs about suggestions to be a good sibling. Please read them and apply your knowledge on modal verbs.
Read the paragraphs and choose a modal verb to give the correct modality to the verb. Some of the modals aren’t necessary.
British Counsil. (2006). Modal verbs. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/es/english-grammar/verbs/modal-verbs
Agenda Web. (2017) Modal Verbs in English. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/modals-mixed-4-exercises.html
BBC Learning English (2017) Unit 30: Tales of survival. Present and past modals of ability. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/lower-intermediate/unit-30/session-2
Buck, A. (2016) Education Podcast #1 - Modal Verbs - Common Mistakes. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.spreaker.com/user/thearseniobuckshow/education-podcast-1-modal-verbs-common-m
Englishpage.com (2017) Modal Verb Tutorial. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalintro.html
esl-lounge.com (2017) Modals of Deduction Exercise. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/4g3-modals-deduction-exercise.php
Oxford Online English. (2015). Introduction to Modal Verbs. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/english-modal-verbs-introduction
Perfect English Grammar. Modal verbs. Retrieved on 01-20-17 from: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs.html
