English IV – Lesson 2.
English Level 4
Lesson 2.1
Activities
Actividad práctica 2.1 : First, read all the grammar information
about the Modal verbs. We have practice with Modal verbs in
levels before, then answer activities 1, 2.
Los verbos modales: expresar la probabilidad (must, can, may, might)
Algunos verbos modales como must, can, could, may o might se utilizan para
expresar un juicio sobre la probabilidad de que una situación en concreto ocurra o
no. Fijaros en la siguiente conversación:
Jane: What are you going to wear at the party, Laura?
Laura: I don’t know. I may wear my black dress. Or I might wear my jeans and a
T-shirt. Icould also wear my green skirt and a turtleneck sweater. It’s so difficult to
decide!
May y might se utilizan para decir que algo puede pasar en el presente o en el
futuro. Might es un poco menos seguro que may, es decir que el locutor
tiene poca información y que se trata de una especulación. Could expresa una
posibilidad más “teorica” o permanente de que algo pase.
Forma negativa:
May not y might not (mightn’t) tienen un significado completamente diferente
de could not(couldn’t).
I may not / might not come to the party. (Es posibile que no venga a la fiesta)
May not / might not significan que es posible que algo negativo pase.
I’m so tired I couldn’t stay awake until the end. (Estoy tan cansado que me seria
imposible quedarme despierto hasta el final)
Couldn’t significa que es imposible que algo pase.
Cuando estamos seguros de nuestras afirmaciones, el verbo modal que expresa la
certeza es must:
He isn’t here today. He must be ill. (Debe estar enfermo)
Forma negativa:
En un juicio sobre la probabilidad, la forma negativa de must es can’t – es
imposibile que algo ocurra:
He can’t be ill. I saw him this morning jogging in the park. (No puede estar
enfermo)
Activity 1:
Completa las frases con must, can't o might./ Complete the phrases using
must/can´t or might.
A: I'm going to climb the Himalaya next summer.
B: But you are seventy years old! You can’t be serious. You must be mad.
A: It must be wonderful to be up there and have the entire world at your feet. It
would be a dream come true.
B: But you might have an accident or get killed. I don't think it's wise to take the
risk.
A: Young man, your life can’t be much fun if you never take risks. You should do it
from time to time. You might enjoy it!
B: Enjoy it! You must be joking. You might never come back from this adventure.
Activity 2 :Escoge la mejor opción para completar las siguientes frases/
choose and underline the best answer.
1.-You ..... fail your exam! You've been studying for weeks.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
2.-Hi, you ..... be Tim's wife. I'm John, his workmate.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
3.-We ..... drive to the south of Spain this summer if we buy a new car.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
4.-She looks very young! She ..... be forty.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
5.-This is his third sandwich this morning. He ..... be very hungry.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
6.-It ..... rain this evening so take an umbrella with you.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
7.-They look identical. They ..... be twins.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
8.-He ..... be home already. He has just left.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
9.-The thief had a key of the house so he ..... be someone you know.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
10.- Don't buy that red tie! He ..... not like it.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
