Modal verbs

Ex. 1 Change the following sentences into disjunctive questions.

Model: He can help me. - He can help me, can't he?

Can he help me or can she?

1. They can go there by bus, _________? 2. He can speak English. 3. Ann could swim a lot in summer. 4. He could play the piano in his childhood. 5. Jane can translate this text. 6. She could answer your question. 7. Mary can water the flowers. 8. I can find John in the reading room.

Ex. 2 Translate the following sentences into Russian. State the meaning of the modal verb.

1. He wasn't able to phone me yesterday, he was very busy. ability 2. He can phone you, he knows your telephone number. ____________ 3. Could you help me, please? __________ 4. You cannot cross the street here. ____________ 5. He was able to come yesterday, wasn't he? ___________ 6. We can do nothing about it, can we? ____________ 7. You can turn on the light, if you want. ____________ 8. How can I help you? ____________ 9. Can I take your book? ____________ 10. You cannot get there, as there is no bus.____________

Ex. 3 Use can or be able to in the proper form in the following sentences.

1. He will _____ help you, if you ask him. 2. We ____ go now, if you are ready. 3. They ___ go for a walk yesterday because it was raining. 4. He ___ translate this text without a dictionary. 5. You ___ have dinner now, if you want. 6. We ___ see a lot of interesting there. 7. She ___ make good progress, because she worked hard. 8. He ___ speak English last year, but he ___ now. 9. She ___ answer the questions, because she didn't know the rules. 10. She ___ answer my question, but she didn't.

Ex. 4 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Она могла играть на пианино, когда ей было 5 лет. 2. Сейчас мы можем купить дом. 3. Когда он нашел хорошую работу, они смогли купить дом. 4. Она может играть на пианино всегда, когда ей захочется. 5. Она не может играть на пианино, потому что у неё болит рука. 6. Ты не можешь играть на пианино сейчас, потому что дети спят. 7. Вы можете припарковать машину здесь. 8. Здесь нельзя парковаться. 9. Река была очень широкой, но он смог переплыть её. 10. Они смогли заплатить, хотя у них было очень мало денег.

Ex. 5 Make mini-dialogues according to the model:

• Can I read this?

• I'm afraid you won't be able to do this. It's too dark. Can I turn on the light?

• Yes, sure.

- Can you write this word?

• Yes, but I haven't got a pen. Can I take yours?

• Yes, here you are.

Use the following phrases in the initial questions: listen to the radio, open the window, see somebody, help to do something, ask a question, look through the exercise, play the piano.

Ex. 6 Refer the following sentences to the past negative.

Model: I can do it now (yesterday). - I couldn't do it yesterday because I was busy.

1. I can meet Mary tonight (last night). 2. The children can work in the garden this afternoon (on Friday). 3. Jack can play the piano well now (a few years ago). 4. Mr. Brown can help you today (yesterday). 5. We can pay the money this week (last week). 6. We can read English texts fluently now (a month ago). 7. I can go with you now (an hour ago). 8. I can give you the book now (the day before yesterday). 9. My sister can swim well now (last summer). 10. I can go to the lab after classes (before classes).

Ex. 7 Ask questions about one's ability to fulfill actions in future.

Model: Helen can't work now. - Will she be able to work next year?

1. The doctor can't see you today. ___________________________ tomorrow?

2. She can't translate this text now. __________________________ next week?

3. They can't discuss this problem today. _______________ in a couple of days?

4. Mary can't go to the meeting tonight/ __________________ next Wednesday?

5. He can't pass his credit test in History now? _________________ next month?

6. We can't have holidays this month _________________________ in January?

7. He can't go with you now. __________________________ in a few minutes?

8. She can't go to the lab before classes. __________________ after classes?

9. She can't translate this article now. _____________________ next term?

Ex. 8 Continue the following sentences. Use the model.

Model: She can read. – She can read but she is not able to read now because it’s dark.

1. She can ski but ______________________________.

2. She can swim but ______________________________.

3. She can speak English fluently but ______________________________.

4. We can answer all your questions but ______________________________.

5. This sportsman can run really fast but ______________________________.

6. My friend can dance quite well but ______________________________.

7. She can sing perfectly but ______________________________.

8. I can help you but ______________________________.

Ex. 9 Ask questions to which the following sentences will be the answers:

1. When _________________? - You may leave now.

2. ________________________ - You may try.

3. ________________________ - You may read this text yourself.

4. ________________________ - You may come later.

5. ________________________ - You may take my pen.

6. ________________________ - You may use a dictionary.

7. ________________________ - Yes, you may come in.

8. ________________________ - Yes, you may go out.

Ex. 10 State the meaning of the modal verb and translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. There are clouds in the sky. It may rain. ____________ 2. You may come at any time you like. ____________ 3. We may use a dictionary. Our teacher allows us to do that. ____________ 4. May I help you? ____________ 5. May I talk to you now? ____ ____________ 6. You might be more polite. ____________ 7. He said we might use his room. ____________

Ex. 11 Use can or may in the following sentences.

1. You ____ not miss classes. 2. Mary, ____ I take your book for a while? 3. We _____ not chat at the lessons, our teacher doesn't allow us. 4. Everybody _____ do this exercise, it's easy enough. 5. John _____ run rather fast. 6. He _____ not play with the ball in the house, he is allowed to play with it outside.

Ex. 12 Use the modal verb may instead of modal adverbs.

Model: Possibly the information is wrong. - The information may be wrong.

1. Possibly the dog is hungry. ________________________

2. Perhaps your husband is in the library. ________________________

3. Perhaps, Mother is in the garden. ________________________

4. Perhaps the cat is ill. ________________________

5. Possibly our group is in room 308. ________________________

6. Perhaps we shall meet in the lab. ________________________

Ex. 13 Replace the verb may with the phrases ‘be allowed to’ or ‘be permitted to’.

1. We may do this exercise again. ________________________

2. They may work in the lab as much as they want. ________________________

3. Anne may watch TV only on Sunday. ________________________

4. He may bring his toys to the kindergarten. ________________________

5. Kids may not bring toys to school. ________________________

6. We may use dictionaries to translate this text. ________________________

Ex. 14 Transform the following sentences into the past; use the phrases ‘be allowed to’ and ‘be permitted to’.

Model: He may play with the dog. - He was allowed to play with the dog.

1. I may take this book again. ________________________

2. He may take the dog on the train. ________________________

3. She may do the test again. ________________________

4. We may ask questions after the lecture. ________________________

5. They may not play football here. ________________________

6. We may use dictionaries at the lesson. ________________________

Ex. 15 Ask for permission to do the following. Use the verbs can and may.

1. I want to read a book now – Can ________________________?

2. I would like to talk to somebody here. ________________________?

3. My daughter likes to play with your dog. ________________________?

4. I’d like to use the telephone here. ________________________?

5. I need to leave the classroom. ________________________?

Ex. 16 Translate the following sentences into English.

А. 1. Я не умею водить машину, но я собираюсь научиться. 2. Она разговаривает на двух иностранных языках. 3. Она может рисовать так же хорошо, как и ты. 4. Мы не можем верить тебе. 5. Вы не можете пройти к дому по этой дороге, она ведет в другую сторону. 6. Мы не можем пройти там сегодня. Дорога залита водой. 7. Кто-нибудь смог ответить на этот вопрос? 8. Ты могла помочь ему. Почему же ты не сделала этого? 9. Её не было в городе, и она не смогла навестить нас в тот вечер. 10. Они смогли поехать в командировку, потому что дети остались с бабушкой. 11. Если будете стараться, вы сможете выиграть. 12. Он не в состоянии плыть сегодня снова, он слишком устал.

В. 1. Вы можете остаться, если хотите. 2. Животных здесь кормить нельзя. 3. Можно попросить тебя об одолжении? 4. Можно я помогу тебе? 5. Чем я могу помочь тебе? 6. Вы можете играть здесь, вы мне не мешаете. 7. Вы можете войти, директор ждет вас. 8. Нам разрешают здесь играть. 9. Нам не разрешают разговаривать на уроке. 10. Им разрешили подождать внутри. 11. Можно мне тоже чашку чая? 12. Можно мне сдавать экзамен завтра?

Ex.17 Translate the following sentences into Russian. State the meaning of the modal verbs.

1. We must read English books regularly. ____________ 2. We have to work hard at our pronunciation. ____________ 3. You mustn't miss classes. ____________ 4. I had to stay away from classes yesterday, because I didn't feel well. ____________ 5. We've got to learn a lot of new words. ____________ 6. The librarian says we must return books on time. ____________ 7. We don't have to learn all the texts by heart. ____________ 8. We needn't learn this text now____________, we may do it later. ____________ 9. Must I answer your question? - Of course, you must. ____________ 10. Must I do this exercise in written form? ____________ – No, you needn't. ____________ You may do it orally. ____________ 11. You must obey the rules here. ____________

Ex. 18 Make the following sentences negative. Change the context accordingly.

Model: You must tell Ann about it. She is waiting for the news. – You mustn't tell Ann about it, she gets upset so easily.

1. He must give up writing letters to her. She never answers. ________________

________________________

2. You must put on your brown blouse. It goes very well with this skirt. __________

________________________

3. You must phone to him immediately. He'll be glad to talk to you. ____________

________________________

4. They must begin classes before 8 o'clock. 8 o'clock is too late. _______________

________________________

5. You must work more. You have a lot of spare time. ______________________

________________________

Ex. 19 Give negative answers to the following questions. Provide reason for the prohibition expressed in your sentence.

Model: May I open the window? – No, you mustn't. It's windy outside.

1. May I leave the room now? ________________________

2. May Mary play the piano now? ________________________

3. May I read my composition? ________________________

4. May I look up some words in the dictionary? ________________________

5. May I stay away from classes? ________________________

6. May I come later tomorrow? ________________________

Ex. 20 Disagree with the following. Use not less than two sentences.

Model: You must go to the library now, mustn't you? – No, I needn't. I can go some other time.

We needn't learn the poem, do we? – But yes, we must. It's the task.

1. You must speak only English at the University, mustn't you? 2. We needn't answer all the teacher's questions, do we? 3. We must ride on the right in England, mustn't we? 4. We must stay in the classroom all the time, mustn't we? 5. You needn't be present at the following class, do you? 6. You needn't come to classes tomorrow, do you?

Ex. 21 Make the following sentences interrogative and negative.

Model: We have to work hard. – Do we have to work hard? We don't have to work hard because we get a lot of help.

1. John has to get up rather early. Does ________________________

2. Mary has to have her breakfast in a hurry. Does ________________________

3. We have to work in the lab to improve our pronunciation. Does _______________________________________

4. They have to take a bus to go to town. Do ________________________

5. He has to stay at home today because he doesn't feel well. Does ______________

________________________

6. Anne has to spend a lot of time in the reading room. Does ____________

________________________

7. He has to write this exercise again. Does ________________________

Ex. 22 Transform the following sentences into disjunctive questions.

Model: We have to work hard. – We have to work hard, don't we?

1. He has to work late, ____________? 2. They have to read a lot this year, __________? 3. Mary has to leave for her work at half past seven, _________? 4. She has to take an early bus, __________? 5. John has to spend a lot of time indoors, _________? 6. Jane has to improve her pronunciation, __________? 7. We have to get rid of our mistakes, _________? 8. They have to have lunch in the canteen, __________? 9. I have to help them, ___________? 10. Nobody has to do that, ___________?

Ex. 23 Add tags to the following sentences.

1. He must write to her at once, ____________? 2. You have to return the paper, ___________? 3. We don’t have to take umbrellas, ____________? 4. Mary had to wait for the teacher, ___________? 5. They mustn't tell lies, ____________? 6. I must help Mary cook dinner, ___________? 7. You have to prepare your review by Friday, ___________? 8. We needn't write it again, ____________? 9. Peter must spend a lot of time at the tennis court, ____________? 10. You must answer these questions in English, ____________?

Ex. 24 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Уже 9 часов. Дети должны идти спать. 2. Ей придется лечь спать рано, чтобы встать к первому поезду. 3. Вы должны подчиняться правилам. 4. Мы должны начать работу как можно раньше. 5. Ей придется научиться делать всё самой. 6. Я должна много учить наизусть, чтобы хорошо знать английский. 7. Он опоздал на автобус, и ему пришлось остаться у нас. 8. Вы должны немедленно увести собаку. Дети боятся её. 9. Жаль, что вам надо уходить. 10. Мне ничего не пришлось ему говорить.

Ex. 25

1. Respond to the following using the model verb can:

Model: I don’t have the book. – You can take it from the library.

1. I haven’t done the exercise. – You can ________________________.

2. I don’t have the poem. – You can ________________________.

3. I don’t know these words. – ________________________.

4. I haven’t seen my friend yet. – ________________________.

5. I’ve got some time to spare. – ________________________.

2. Use the modal verbs can and may to express possibility:

1. There are clouds in the sky. It may ____________.

2. The teacher hasn’t asked me yet. She ________________________.

3. I haven’t learned the words. I ________________________.

4. My friend is going to visit me. She can ________________________.

5. My friend hasn’t come yet. He ________________________.

6. She isn’t here yet. She ________________________.

3. Respond with sentences using the modal verb must:

1. She is always late. She must change her habits.

2. She often makes mistakes in pronunciation. She must ____________________.

3. She doesn’t know these words. ________________________.

4. It’s cold outside. ________________________.

5. Look! It’s raining. ________________________.

6. She’s got a new flat. ________________________.

Ex. 26 Complete the following sentences using modal verbs.

1. If it rains ________________________.

2. If it snows this winter ________________________.

3. If they come soon ________________________.

4. If you have a dictionary ________________________.

5. If you have made mistakes in your test ________________________.

6. If you don’t feel well ________________________.

7. If your friends come to see you ________________________.

8. If you are late for the class ________________________.

9. If it takes you long to get to the university ________________________.

10. If you have some time to spare ________________________.

11. If you have nothing more to do ________________________.

12. If you are short of time ________________________.

Ex. 27 Translate the following sentences into English:

1. Ты не должна так разговаривать со своей сестрой. 2. Нет необходимости открывать окно. Здесь свежий воздух. 3. Тебе ведь не нужна новая шляпа? 4. Нам не нужно идти туда сегодня. 5. Вы должны принять решение сейчас. 6. Оля не нуждается в твоей помощи. 7. Тебе нужна эта книга? 8. Дай мне, пожалуйста, бумаги. Мне нужно написать письмо. 9. Кому из вас приходится ездить в университет на автобусе? 10. Мне нужно выучить этот диалог наизусть? – Нет, не нужно. 11. Вчера мне пришлось повторить грамматические правила. 12. Нам не пришлось ее долго ждать.

Ex. 28 Use the modal phrase to be to.

1. He won't be present at the meeting. He ____________ to take his examination.

2. He didn't expect to find her at home. She ___________ to return only on Monday.

3. We didn't want to discuss the book without him. He ___________ to say some words about the author.

4. Don't let the child watch this film Children ___________ not to see such films.

5. They took different roads but they __________ to meet by the lake in a few days.

6. He can’t go to Moscow now, he ___________ to finish the work first.

Ex. 29 Paraphrase the following sentences using must, be to, have to.

Model: We expect her to come soon. – She is to come soon.

I want you to visit us. – You must visit us.

It is necessary to do the work again. – You'll have to do it again.

1. It is necessary that you should see a doctor. You ________________________.

2. He is expected to go there at once. He ________________________.

3. I expect you to explain everything to your parents. You ____________________.

4. I am supposed to be the first to answer. I ________________________.

5. I want you to stay at home tonight. You ________________________.

6. It is necessary that he should come on time. He ________________________.

7. We expect him to meet us at the station. He ________________________.

8. We expect them to arrive tomorrow. They ________________________.

9. I want you to see this film. It’s marvelous. You ________________________.

10. It’s necessary for you to have regular meals. You ______________________.

Ex. 30 Respond to the following sentences according the model.

a) Model: Jane can play the piano. – So can Rose (I, we).

We must start immediately. – So must they.

He has to learn English words. – So do we.

1. Dan must learn this poem. So ____________. 2. Jim may go to the cinema. So ____________. 3. John must play the piano now. So ____________. 4. Paul can speak English rather well. So ____________. 5. Bob must work hard. __________________ 6. Tom must work at the lab regularly. So ____________. 7. Mary can handle tape-recorders. So ____________. 8. Kate may leave now if she wants. So ____________. 9. We have to hurry now. So ____________. 10. We are to write a dictation today. So ____________. 11. She has to get up rather early. So ____________. 12. She is able to help you. So ____________.

b) Model: Jack can't sing. – Neither can Mary. Mary can't sing either.

1. John can’t play the violin. Neither ___________. 2. Jack mustn’t do these exercises in class. Neither ____________. 3. Bob mustn’t be rude. Neither ____________. 4. Jack can’t go there today. Neither ____________. 5. You mustn’t miss lectures. Neither ____________. 6. Paul mustn’t be late for classes. Neither ____________. 7. Ann can’t go to the library now. Neither ____________. 8. They don’t have to go anywhere now. Neither ____________. 9. He isn’t able to translate this article without a dictionary. Neither ____________. 10. I don’t have to do all these exercises now. Neither ____________.

Ex. 31 Complete the following sentences using the modal verb must or its equivalents.

1. My car broke down and I ________________________

2. My shoes are dirty and I ________________________

3. My telephone is ringing and I ________________________

4. I missed the 8.30 train and ________________________

5. Your train leaves in ten minutes ________________________

6. You look pale today ________________________

7. There was nobody to help me ________________________

8. I got wet through, so ________________________

Ex. 32 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Нам нужно учить этот текст наизусть? – Нет, не нужно. Вы должны прослушать его и перевести на русский язык. 2. Студентам нельзя громко разговаривать в читальном зале. 3. Нам не надо делать это упражнение в письменной форме. 4. Сколько слов тебе нужно выучить? 5. Тебе часто приходится учить слова? 6. Тебе ведь не пришлось делать это упражнение снова? 7. Кто должен был вас встречать? 8. Где вы должны были встретиться? 9. Нам придется взять такси. 10. Мне надо купить хлеба по дороге домой. 11. Мой брат должен был купить молоко утром. Была его очередь. 12. Мне придется встать в 6 часов, чтобы успеть на лекцию. 13. Мама приезжает сегодня. Я должна встретить её на вокзале. 14. Вы сегодня же должны написать письма.

Ex. 33 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Вам нужно меньше есть. 2. Мне пришлось сделать эту работу вместо него. 3. Вы не должны курить, это вредно. 4. Мне нужно вернуть книгу как можно скорее. 5. Ему не нужно было надевать галстук, потому что все были одеты неофициально. 6. Вам нужно поспать, вы выглядите усталым. 7. Мне необходимо найти работу. 8. Мне нужны новые очки, эти мне уже не подходят. 9. Нам нужно заказать номер заранее. 10. Нам не пришлось ничего объяснять. 11. Вам нужно подстричься. 12. Вам нужно носить форму, это правило. 13. Вы не должны врать. 14. Вам не нужно врать, вас не накажут.

Ex. 34 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Если она будет много практиковаться, она сможет сыграть это произведение. 2. Вы можете сходить в музей, если у вас есть время. 3. Ночью здесь может быть очень холодно. 4. Когда мы были в школе, нам не нужно было носить форму. 5. Вы должны записаться в библиотеку, прежде чем вы сможете взять книги. 6. Мне не нужно носить очки, потому что у меня хорошее зрение. 7. Не нужно заказывать так много еды, потому что никто не голоден. 8. Тебе не нужно брать деньги, мы заплатим. 9. В школе она могла бегать быстрее всех. 10. Мне нужно оплатить счета, поэтому мне придется найти работу. 11. Он сказал, что мы должны заплатить за телефонный разговор. 12. Я думаю, тебе не нужен свитер в такую погоду. 13. Можно попросить вас об одолжении? 14. Можно воспользоваться вашим телефоном? 15. Вы не можете взять мою машину сегодня, она мне нужна. 16. Помочь тебе убрать со стола? 17. Вам приходится сдавать много экзаменов? 18. Кто должен делать доклад сегодня? 19. Нам не разрешили пользоваться словарями. 20. Что еще вам пришлось сделать?