English Today

Modals and Semi-Modals: Practice (1) - Answer Key

A. Fill in: can / could / can't / couldn't / be able to

(1)

John: Can you ski?

Dave: Yes, I --can-------. I went skiing last year and I-----was able to------go down the learner's slope easily.

John: I---could-----ski when I was younger but since I hurt my leg I---haven't been able to------.

Dave: Actually, I think ice-skating is much easier. I--could-------ice-skate when I was five years old.

John: Really? I tried ice-skating once, but I--couldn't / wasn't able to---stand up at all!

(2)

Dear Mary,

I'm very pleased you --can---come and stay at the weekend. I'm sorry I--couldn't------- talk to you on the phone yesterday, but I---couldn't-----leave the baby. I----was able to-----get tickets for the theatre on Saturday - I--can't----wait to go. Mum says that when she was young you--could------have tickets for £2! You certainly--can't-----now! We ---haven't been able to---- fix the car yet but mum says we -can------ borrow hers. By the way, the baby -can----- say three new words! See you on Friday.

Love,
Anna

(B) Fill in: may / might / could / must / can't

(1)

Dear "Unhappy",

You --can't----be serious about leaving home! There --may/might---- be some problems with your family but there -must----- be another solution. You -could----- try talking to a friend or a relative. You--must----have some aunts or cousins who can help you. You---may/might-----find that discussing the problem all together is better. Your parents...can't.....really be as angry as you think; they -may/might-----be upset but they--must------realise why you're so unhappy. I suggest you try talking to them again - you---could/may/might----be surprised.

(2)

Sue: How old do you think Steve is?

Mary: He ----must/may----be a bit older than we are, but he certainly ---can't-----be more than 25.

Sue: I don't know. He---may/might/could ------be older than you think. He takes very good care of himself, you know. He---could/might/may-----be as old as thirty.

Mary: No, he --can't----be. I know because he left school just before I did.

Sue: You--may/might/could-------be right, but I'm still not really convinced.

C. Fill in: mustn't, needn't or can't

John, I want you to look after your brother this evening. He --mustn't----- go out and he --mustsn't----- forget to do all his homework. You---mustn't-----let him watch TV until he's finished it. He--can't/mustsn't-------- watch the film either - it starts very late. He ---needn't--------have a bath; he had one in the morning. There's a cake in the cupboard but you ---mustn't------eat it all! Leave some for your sister. You --needn't------do the washing up: I'm going to do it tomorrow. You---mustn't-----make too much noise. We might be quite late home because we ----can't------leave the party tonight until most of the guests have left. And you --mustn't------go to bed without having a wash and brushing your teeth. But you --needn't----wait up for us.

Source: Round-Up 4 by Virginia Evans- Longman Editions

Modals and Semi-Modals: Practice (1)

A. Fill in: can / could / can't / couldn't / be able to

(1)

John: Can you ski?

Dave: Yes, I ---------. I went skiing last year and I-----------go down the learner's slope easily.

John: I--------ski when I was younger but since I hurt my leg I---------.

Dave: Actually, I think ice-skating is much easier. I---------ice-skate when I was five years old.

John: Really? I tried ice-skating once, but I-----stand up at all!

(2)

Dear Mary,

I'm very pleased you -----come and stay at the weekend. I'm sorry I--------- talk to you on the phone yesterday, but I--------leave the baby. I---------get tickets for the theatre on Saturday - I------wait to go. Mum says that when she was young you--------have tickets for £2! You certainly-------now! We ------- fix the car yet but mum says we ------- borrow hers. By the way, the baby ------ say three new words! See you on Friday.

Love,
Anna

(B) Fill in: may / might / could / must / can't

(1)

Dear "Unhappy",

You ------be serious about leaving home! There ------ be some problems with your family but there ------ be another solution. You ------ try talking to a friend or a relative. You------have some aunts or cousins who can help you. You--------find that discussing the problem all together is better. Your parents........really be as angry as you think; they ------be upset but they--------realise why you're so unhappy. I suggest you try talking to them again - you-------surprised.

(2)

Sue: How old do you think Steve is?

Mary: He --------be a bit older than we are, but he certainly --------be more than 25.

Sue: I don't know. He---------be older than you think. He takes very good care of himself, you know. He--------be as old as thirty.

Mary: No, he ------be. I know because he left school just before I did.

Sue: You---------be right, but I'm still not really convinced.

C. Fill in: mustn't, needn't or can't

John, I want you to look after your brother this evening. He ------- go out and he ------- forget to do all his homework. You--------let him watch TV until he's finished it. He---------- watch the film either - it starts very late. He -----------have a bath; he had one in the morning. There's a cake in the cupboard but you ---------eat it all! Leave some for your sister. You --------do the washing up: I'm going to do it tomorrow. You--------make too much noise. We might be quite late home because we ----------leave the party tonight until most of the guests have left. And you --------go to bed without having a wash and brushing your teeth. But you ------wait up for us.

Source: Round-Up 4 by Virginia Evans- Longman Editions

The IGCSE Speaking Test

 

The IGCSE countdown has started. In Larnaca, the speaking test will be taking place from March 17 to March 31. I know that most of you dread it. You shouldn't worry, however, as examiners are really nice and friendly and will do their best to make you feel comfortable. So relax and enjoy the conversation with a native speaker of English.

The IGCSE Speaking Test consists of three phases and takes about 10 minutes.

1. Warm-Up

The examiner will welcome you to the test and will ask you to briefly talk about yourself, your family, your school, your intersts. Remember that this part of the exam is not being marked. It's an informal chat just to get you settled down and make you feel comfortable. This should be your aim in the warm-Up- to calm yourself down and get ready. It might be a good idea to mention your particular interests such as hobbies, things you like doing, current issues that are on your mind, things you feel strong about. One of the examiner's topic cards might be a good choice for you. But remember, it's not you but the examiner who chooses the topic card.

2. The Topic Card

The examiner will then give you the topic card and will go through  all the points of the topic. If there is anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask the examiner but don't overdo it !! You will be allowed to look at the topic card for about 2-3 minutes and think about what you want to say but you won't be allowed to make any written notes. Remember that you don't have to stick to the five or six points listed on the card. You can include some points of your own. This will help to make the conversation more interesting and might lead to a higher mark for you. But you should remain broadly within the main topic.

3. The conversation with the examiner

The test is certainly not about delivering a speech! Examiners are trained to avoid and stop speeches taking place. You should, therefore, try to involve the examiner in a genuine conversation. You should think of the three assessment criteria in this way:

(a) Structure - am I using spoken language, sentences and phrases accurately?

(b) Vocabulary - am I using a wide range of words?

(c) Fluency - can I take part in a two-way conversation by extending the prompts / ideas that the examiner has brought up?

The key to success is to be relaxed. Forget all about the test and just try to have a good chat on an interesting topic. Then it's likely that you have performed well.

Adapted from : Examiner Tips for IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510) - Papers 5 and 6 by Dean Roberts - examiner for IGCSE E2L and principal moderator for oral tests

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most common questions my students usually ask me about the test:

1. What if my mind goes blank and I can't say a word?

Don't be negative! Negativity will only lead to failure. But should this happen, be sure that the examiner will help out. It is important to speak!

2. What if I know nothing about the topic?

You don't need to have any prior knowledge of any of the topics. The test is not about how much you know about a topic but about how well you can engage in a two-way conversation without digressing from the topic.

3. How can I prepare for the test?

- Use the topics from past exam papers to practise speaking with a friend or your teacher.

- Revise your vocabulary and spoken forms of English.

- Take the good habit to listen to a British Radio Station daily. Listen to talks, interviews, the news. The more you understand spoken English the better you will speak it.

- DO NOT prepare any topics and learn them by heart!!

4. If I forget a word, can I say it in my language?

No, you can't! This is an exam testing your ability to express yourself in English. Besides, don't forget that the examiner may not speak or understand your native language. However, if you forget a word, don't panic. Use other words you are familiar with to explain.

Example

You want to say: I believe that wild animals should live in their natural habitat.

Say: I believe that wild animals should live in the jungle or in forests - I mean their natural home.

5. Am I likely to  get a lower mark if I make mistakes?

Worrying too much about making mistakes will hinder conversation. However, you will be penalised if you make too many mistakes or use limited vocabulary.

6. Am I supposed to have a good accent?

No, not at all! But you are expected to have a good pronunciation and a good intonation.

Will and Would

 

Use will to express:

• something certain about the future - The mayor will see you early on Monday morning.
• predictions without evidence - In the year 2050, young people will no longer get married.
• on-the-spot decisions - Don't worry about your plants. I'll water them while you are away.
• willingness / refusal to do something - I'll help you with the cooking but I won't do the washing-up.
• requests - Will you answer the phone , please?

NOTE : Use shall with I or we to express offers and suggestions

- Shall I help you with the cooking?

- Shall we dance?

Use would to express:

• polite requests - Would you like some more cake? / Would you fill in this form, please?
• repeated past habits - When Tom was younger, he would watch TV for hours.
• the past form of will - She knew I would tell her all about it.
• wishes - I wish they would join us tonight.

Should and Ought To

Both should and ought to can be used to express:

1. Advice

• You should / ought to work harder if you want to pass this exam.
• I think you should / ought to tell him the truth.

2. The right thing to do. (should is more common than ought to)

• She should try to be more polite.
• In case of fire, we should follow these instructions.
• She shouldn't spend so much money on clothes.

3. An almost certain prediction

• He left early so he should be here soon.
• They ought to win the match - they've trained so hard.

4. A polite suggestion when unsure of the answer (should is more common than ought to)

• What do you think? Should we get ready for dinner?
• Should I lay the table now?

Must / Mustn't / Have To

A. MUST

• obligation - You must do your homework every day.
• almost certainty - Don't call her now. She must be busy.
• strong recommendation - You must try my chocolate cake recipe. You'll love it.

B. MUSTN'T

• prohibition - You mustn't litter the beach. / You mustn't eat in the classroom.

C. HAVE TO

• obligation or necessity - I have to be at the office by 8:30.

D. DON'T/ DOESN'T HAVE TO = DON'T / DOESN'T NEED TO

• absence of necessity - You don't have to buy more cheese. We've got plenty./ She doesn't have to get up early on Saturdays.

E. MUST vs HAVE TO

- MUST = personal obligation

I must go now. It's late.

We must finish this project today

- HAVE TO = obligation from outside imposed by other people

We have to wear a uniform at school.

She has to answer all the phone calls at work.

MUST is used only for the present to express what the speaker thinks is a personal obligation. In all other tenses we use HAVE TO

I must  go to the dentist today. My tooth is killing me.

I had to go to the dentist yesterday.

We'll have to work late next Friday.

Be careful!!!

MUST / MUSTN'T + BARE INFINITIVE

I must take the cat to the vet. NOT I must to take ... 

You mustn't smoke in this room. NOT You mustn't to smoke ....