English 2.4 Lesson 7 - Sandwich time

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English 2.4 Lesson 7 

Sandwich time

Useful grammar tips

Tip 1

Mind your modals

First, read the revision theory

Now choose the correct modal

it is an ongoing story about Michael Phelps, a famous swimmer

Michael Phelps .......... have become a football player like his father, but instead he started swimming at the age of seven,

1. can
2. might
3. must
4. shouldn't

partly because his mother thought that swimming ....... provide an outlet for his restless energy.

1. can
2. may
3. could
4. shouldn't

What is the secret of his success? How ..... he have set so many world records?

1. may
2. shouldn't
3. could
4. must

His success could be partly due to his physical shape – he has an arm span of six feet seven inches (201 cm), and his large (size fourteen) feet ....... also act as flippers, propelling him through the water.

1. will be able to
2. shall
3. may
4. couldn't

But it ....... the result of hard work and sheer determination, too.

1. could have been
2. could
3. shouldn't have been
4. may

It ..... be easy for other swimmers to beat the record of a swimmer of this magnitude,

1. could have
2. may not
3. should
4. must

but, as Phelps has said, records ...... always be broken.

1. must
2. shouldn't
3. cannot
4. can

Possibility

Health insurance can be very expensive. 

• it is possible (so not certain)

A lack of trust can/may lead to diminishing investments. 

• possibility

A lack of trust could/might lead to diminishing investments. 

• a possibility, but more doubt than when using 'can'

Possibility

Over-prescribing of antibiotics may lead to the rapid development of resitant strains.

• may: academic / scientific expression of a possibility

The payment could/may/might well be in the post. 

• strong possibility

Exercise

In the next slides, complete the second sentence so it has a similar menaing to the first. Use a suitable form of can, could, may  or might, as in the example.

Example

• Given some luck, our team has a good chance of winning the final next month.
• With any luck................
• With any luck our team might win the final next month

Note: only fill in what comes on the dots

The service in this restaurant is sometimes quite surly.
The service…….

Ten years ago my neighbour offered me his apartment for $30,000 but I didn’t buy it.
Ten years ago I ……..

Tip: think carefully: what do you need to repeat, and what is already expressed by using the modal verb?

It would be possible to issue the tickets today if you gave us your credit card number.
We……..

When I was at university, it was generally possible for students to have a good lifestyle.
When I was at university, ..........

It’s quite possible that my sister will become an opera star – she has a lovely voice.
My sister .......

Tip 2

Mind your speculations

https:

Correct the text

The context

A group of students has researched for the municipality how the duck pond in the park could be made more attractive.

The following suggestions are quite demanding / not very modest / rather imperative.

Correct them to more palatable suggestions, and bring to class.

Please correct

If the duck pond is cleaned regularly, there will be less algae.

If the council instructs the general public that feeding the ducks is bad for them, the ducks will stay healthier.

More people will come to the duck pond if the uninteresting grounds are embellished with varied vegetation.

now do the same using modals

Please go to the next slide

Please correct

The duck pond must be cleaned every year, to prevent the growth of algae.

It is has been demonstrated that the popular passtime of feeding bread to the ducks is detrimental to their health. Therefore, there should have been a sign prohibiting the general public from feeding the ducks.

The council must provide more vegetation to make the duck pond more attractive.