to smuggle themselves in. Hong Kong is already the most crowded place in
the world, and there’s no room for more people.
But when the police asked the junk people why they (g) _______ (come)
they (h) _______ (get) a shock. They said they (i) _______ (stay) for a few
days (j) _______ (escape) the terrible calamity that was about (k) _______
(strike) their villages in China.
They said there was complete panic at home because everyone (l) _______
(believe) an earthquake (m) _______ (come).
Throughout its history China (n) _______ (suffer) terrible earthquakes,
cities (o) _______ (destroy) and thousands killed. Nowadays, all over the
country there are seismographic centres where earthquakes can easy (p)
_______ (predict).
The Hong Kong authorities phoned one of these centres in China to find
out whether they (q) _______ (warn) about a forthcoming earthquake, but the
answer was no. Experts in Hong Kong agreed that there was no reason for the
junk people’s fears.
Consequently the junk people (r) _______ (send) home. On their way back
an earthquake did indeed (s) _______ (strike) their village. No-one was
hurt but the mystery (t) _______ (remain). How did the junk people know,
when the scientists and experts with all their sophisticated machines
didn’t?
Unit 4 Modal verbs
Introduction to modals
can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, would
Main points
o Modals are always the first word in a verb group.
o All modals except for ‘ought’ are followed by the base form of a verb.
o ‘Ought’ is followed by a ‘to’-infinitive.
o Modals have only one form.
Modals are always the first word in a verb group. All modals except
for'ought'are followed by the base form of a verb.
I must leave fairly soon.
I think it will look rather nice.
Things might have been so different.
People may be watching.
‘Ought’ is always followed by a ‘to’-infinitive.
She ought to go straight back to England.
Sam ought to have realised how dangerous it was.
You ought to be doing this.
Modals have only one form, There is no ‘-s’ form for the third person
singular of the present tense, and there are no ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’ forms.
There’s nothing I can do about it.
I’m sure he can do it.
Modals do not normally indicate the time when something happens. There are,
however, a few exceptions.
‘Shall’ and ‘will’ often indicate a future event or situation.
I shall do what you suggested. He will not return for many hours.
‘Could’ is used as the past form of ‘can’ to express ability. ‘Would’ is
used as the past form of ‘will’ to express the future.
When I was young, I could run for miles.
He remembered that he would see his mother the next day.
In spoken English and informal written English, ‘shall’ and ‘will’ are
shortened to ‘-’ll’ and ‘would’ to ‘-’d’, and added to a pronoun.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
I hope you’ll agree.
Posy said she’d love to stay.
‘Shall’, ‘will’, and ‘would’ are never shortened if they come at the end of
a sentence.
Paul said he would come, and I hope he will.
In spoken English, you can also add ‘-’ll’ and ‘-’d’ to nouns.
My car’ll be outside.
The headmaster’d be furious.
Warning: Remember that ‘-d’ is also the short form of the auxiliary ‘had’.
I’d heard it many times.
Practice
1. Your have to complete a sentence with could, was / were able to or
couldn’t.
Example: My grandfather was very clever. He could (or was able to) speak
five languages.
1. He had hurt his leg, so he __________ walk very well.
2. She wasn’t at home when I phone but I __________ contact her at her
office.
3. I look very carefully and I __________ see a figure in the distance.
4. They didn’t have any tomatoes in the first shop I went to, but I
__________ get some in the next shop.
5. My grandmother loved music. She __________ play the piano very well.
6. The boy fell into the river but fortunately we __________ rescue him.
2. In this exercise you have to write sentences with could or could have.
Example: She doesn’t want to stay with Linda. But she could stay with
Linda.
1. He didn’t want to help us. But he
2. He doesn’t want to help us. But
3. They don’t want to lend us any money. But
4. She didn’t want to have anything to eat.
3. You have read a situation and write a sentence with must have or can’t
have. Use the words in brackets.
Example: The phone rang but I didn’t hear it. (I must / be / asleep)
I must have been asleep.
1. That dress you bought is very good quality. (It must / be / very
expensive)
2. I haven’t seen Jim for ages. (He must / go / away)
3. I wonder where my umbrella is. (You must / leave / it on the train)
4. Don passed the examination. He didn’t study very much for it. (The exam
can’t / be / very difficult)
5. She knew everything about our plans. (She must / listen / to our
conversation)
6. Denis did the opposite of what I asked him to do. (He can’t / understand
/ what I said)
7. When I woke up this morning, the light was on. (I must / forget / to
turn it off)
8. I don’t understand how the accident happened. (The driver can’t / see /
the red light)
4. Rewrite these sentences using the modals given.
Example: Perhaps he fell. (may have) (might have)
He may have fallen.
He could have fallen.
1. Perhaps they saw us. (could have) (might have)
2. Perhaps he said that. I don’t remember. (might have) (could have)
3. We’re lost. I think we’ve taken the wrong road. (must have)
4. I wish you had seen it. It was wonderful. (should have)
5. I ought to have known that would happen. (should have)
6. Perhaps when I am fifty I won’t remember it. (will have forgotten)
7. It was possible for me to prevent that, but I didn’t. (could have)
8. You should have listened to her the first time. (ought to have)
5. Make suitable sentences from the table below using can.
|Learning English |can |Sometimes |be |exciting. |
|Watching | |Often | |boring. |
|television | |Occasional| |interesting. |
|Visiting | |ly | |painful. |
|relatives | | | |hard work. |
|Winter sports | | | |dangerous. |
|Going to the | | | |good fun. |
|dentist | | | | |
|Meeting new | | | | |
|people | | | | |
|Travelling | | | | |
Example: Travelling can often be boring.
6. Complete these sentences using can, can’t, could or couldn’t.
Example: There was a woman with a big hat right in front of me. I couldn’t
see a thing.
1. I’m sorry, you’re in my light. I __________ see what I’m doing.
2. It was a huge hall and we were at the back, so we __________ hear very
well.
3. When she screams, you __________ hear her all over the house.
4. She was phoning all the way from Singapore, but I __________ hear her
very clearly.
5. __________ you hear me at the back?
6. Put your hands up if you __________ hear me.
7. Rewrite these suggestions starting with the words given.
Example: Let’s go to the theatre. / How about going to the theatre?
1. We should get started as soon as possible. / It might be a good idea
2. You could write and ask her yourself. / You might like to
3. Why don’t we take a winter holiday for a change? / What about
4. Couldn’t you just play at the end of the month? / You could
5. We could take a week off in July. / Let’s
6. You could ask Bill to help. / What
7. Why don’t you ring and tell them you’re coming? / You
8. We could borrow the equipment from Peter. / Couldn’t
9. Why don’t we keep quiet about that? / It might
8. Add comments to these sentences using I wish.
Example: I’m afraid your father can’t come. / I wish he could.
They always come late. / I wish they wouldn’t.
1. He always complains about everything. /
2. He never invites us round. /
3. We can’t go on holiday this year. /
4. She won’t listen to anything you say. /
5. They can’t help out I’m afraid. /
6. She never comes home at weekends. /
9. Fill each gap with a correct modal verb.
1. I really think you __________ see a doctor.
2. Oh, look! Mr. Thomson __________ be here: there’s his car.
3. Why did you carry that heavy box? You __________ hurt yourself!
4. - Where are my keys?
5. I suppose I __________ them in the car.
6. She had to wait 5 minutes for traffic to stop, but in the end __________
to cross the road.
7. I took my umbrella, but it didn’t rain, so I __________ taken it.
8. Everyone understood. The teacher __________ to explain it again.
9. He had an accident in his car. He __________ where he was going.
10. - Did she do the exercise?
11. No, she said she __________ understand it.
12. He is very rich. He __________ work for a living.
13. - Did you go to the concert?
14. No. We __________ have gone but decided not to.
15. - Did they find your house?
16. Yes, it took them a long time but they __________ to find it.
17. - Do you want me to wait for you?
18. No, it’s okay. You __________ wait.
19. His test is the best in class. He __________ (study) last night.
Unit 5 Gerunds and infinitives
The gerund
The gerund is used:
after prepositions.
After leaving school, I went to university.
The firemen rescued the lady by breaking down the door.
Is anyone here good at sewing?
She was accused of killing her husband.
