Saturday, September 13, 2014

Modal Verbs

Modal
Example
Uses
CanThey can control their own budgets.
We can’t fix it.
Can I smoke here?
Can you help me?
Ability / Possibility
Inability / Impossibility
Asking for permission
Request
CouldCould I borrow your dictionary?
Could you say it again more slowly?
We could try to fix it ourselves.
I think we could have another Gulf War.
He gave up his old job so he could work for us.
Asking for permission.
Request
Suggestion
Future possibility
Ability in the past
MayMay I have another cup of coffee?
China may become a major economic power.
Asking for permission
Future possibility
Might
We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now.
They might give us a 10% discount.
Present possibility
Future possibility
MustWe must say good-bye now.
They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.
Necessity / Obligation
Prohibition
Ought toWe ought to employ a professional writer.Saying what’s right or correct
Shall
(More common in the UK than the US)
Shall I help you with your luggage?
Shall we say 2.30 then?
Shall I do that or will you?
Offer
Suggestion
Asking what to do
ShouldWe should sort out this problem at once.
I think we should check everything again.
Profits should increase next year.
Saying what’s right or correct
Recommending action
Uncertain prediction
WillI can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk.
I'll do that for you if you like.
I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday.
Profits will increase next year.
Instant decisions
Offer
Promise
Certain prediction
WouldWould you mind if I brought a colleague with me?
Would you pass the salt please?
Would you mind waiting a moment?
"Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine."
Would you like to play golf this Friday?
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."
Asking for permission
Request
Request
Making arrangements
Invitation
Preferences

!Note The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form.
The verb used to, which is explained here, can also be used like a modal verb.
- See more at: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/verbmodal.html#sthash.D9ak7dy8.dpuf

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Reading comprehension Giving directions (for printing)

Directions to the Museum
(On the street corner)
Tourist: Excuse me, can you help me? I'm lost!
Person: Certainly, where would you like to go?
Tourist: I'd like to go to the museum, but I can't find it. Is it far?
Person: No, not really. It's about a 5 minute walk.
Tourist: Maybe I should call a taxi ...
Person: No, no. It's very easy. Really. (pointing) I can give you directions.
Tourist: Thank you. That's very kind of you.
Person: Not at all. ... Now, go along this street to the traffic lights. Do you see them?
Tourist: Yes, I can see them.
Person: Right, at the traffic lights, turn left into Queen Mary Avenue.
Tourist: Queen Mary Avenue.
Person: Right. Go straight on. Take the second left and enter Museum Drive.
Tourist: OK. Queen Mary Avenue, straight on and then the third left, Museum Drive.
Person: No, it's the SECOND left.
Tourist: Ah, right. The second street on my left.
Person: Right. Just follow Museum Drive and the museum is at the end of the road.
Tourist: Great. Thanks again for your help.
Person: Not at all.

The tourist is ...
 lost.
 just arrived.
 leaving the city.
How far is the museum?
 About 5 kilometres
 About a five minute walk
 About a five minute taxi ride
Which street should she turn left into at the traffic lights?
 Queen Mary Avenue
 Museum Drive
 Queen Mary Drive
Museum drive is ...
 the third left on Queen Mary Avenue.
 the second right on Queen Mary Avenue.
 the second left on Queen Mary Avenue.
The museum is ...
 at the end of Museum Drive.
 at the end of Queen Mary Avenue.
 just past Queen Mary Avenue.



http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_musuem.htm

ASKING AND GIVING DIRECTIONS (for practice)

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=1434