UNIT 9

Practice

Detective:

Bob:

Detective:

Bob:

Detective:

Bob:

Detective: Bob:

Detective: Bob:

3. Situation.

COMMUNICATION: CERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY

Ways of expressing yourself when you feel sure or unsure about something.

A Is it going to (rain / snow / be hot)? Is it expensive? Is it dangerous? Is it near / far?

Is (London / Paris / Tokyo) bigger than (New York / Milan / Rio)? Is sand lighter than water? Is light faster than sound? Is honey sweeter than sugar?

В Certainty

it is.

Yes, it is./No, it isn't.

I'm	quite absolutely	certain sure
Yes, certainly. No, certainly not. Yes, it certainly is. No, it certainly isn't. There's no doubt about it.

Uncertainty

I'm not sure (if it is).

quite at all

I'm not

sure (if it is).

I'm not certain (if it is). Could be./ Might be. I couldn't say.

— 340 —

1. Respond with certainty or uncertainty to the following questions.

1. Are boys cleverer than girls?

2. Is Chinese more widely spoken than English?

3. Are you generous?

4. Would you like to visit the Moon one day?

5. Do you like me?

2. Learn the dialogue and make substitutions.

Where were you last night at exactly 9.20 pm?

9.20 pm I couldn 't say. I can't remember. (I'm not certain)

Are you sure you can't remember?

Absolutely certain. (Quite sure)

Were you in or out? Can you remember that?

I'm not quite sure. I think I went out at about half past

nine. (I'm not certain)

Did you see anyone coming into the block of flats?

No, I didn't.

Sure?

Quite sure. (There's no doubt about it)

A friend is asking you about your holidays. He / She wants to know what you did, where you went and so on. Some of the questions you can answer with certainty. Others you can't because you've forgotten.

GRAMMAR: MODAL VERBS.

REQUESTS: CAN. COULD. MAY. MIGHT.

WILL. WOULD (REVIEW)

Practice

Requests for things and substances

Requesting: Yes/No responses:

eg Can / Could / May / Might I have a sandwich / some sugar, please? eg Of course you can/may. No, you can't/may not, I'm afraid.

— 341 —

Note.

1. Can is the commonest and most informal.

2. Could is more polite than can.

3. May is more 'respectful' than can and could.

4. Might is the most polite but the least common.

Requesting others to do things for you

Requesting others to do things for you: eg Will /Would you please
	open the door for me?
Yes/No responses:	eg Yes, of course I will.
	No, I'm afraid I can't at the moment.

Note. Would is more common and more polite than will.

1. Student A: Make a polite request for the given situation. Student B: Give a typical response.

1. You and (...) are sitting at the dinner table. You want the butter.

Student A: (Anna), would/could/will/can you please pass me the but­ter? Student B: Certainly. /Sure./ I'd be glad to. Here you are.

2. You want to ask your teacher a question.

3. You're at your friend's apartment. You want to use the phone.

4. You're speaking on the phone to your brother. You want him to pick you up at the airport when you arrive home.

5. You want to leave class early. You're speaking to your instructor.

6. You want (...) to meet you in front of the library at three this after­noon.

7. You knock on your professor's half-open door. He's sitting at his desk. You want to go in.

8. You want to make an appointment to see Dr North. You're speaking to her secretary.

9. You are at a gas station. You want the attendant to check the oil.

10. You are in your chemistry class. You're looking at your textbook. On page 100 there is a formula which you do not understand. You want your professor to explain this formula to you.

11. You call your friend. Her name is (...). Someone else answers the phone.

12. You want to see (... )'s dictionary for a minute.

— 342 —

13. You want a stranger in an airport to keep her eye on your luggage while you get a drink of water.

14. You want a stranger to tell you the time.

15. You want your friend to hand you (something).

16. You wrote a letter to a university. You want your teacher to read it and correct the mistakes.

17. (...) is going to the library. You want him/her to return a book for you.

18. You and (...) are on vacation together. You'd like to have a picture of the two of you together. You see a stranger who looks friendly. You want her to take a picture of you.

2. Translate into English.

1. He могли бы вы дать мне консультацию сегодня? 2. Не принесете ли вы мне стакан воды? 3. Пожалуйста, брось письмо в почтовый ящик по дороге на работу. 4. Ты не поможешь мне перевести эту статью? 5. Можно мне включить телевизор? —Боюсь, что нет.Уже поздно и пора ложиться спать. 6. Пожалуйста, скажите мне, где я должен выйти, чтобы попасть на стадион? 7. Ты не можешь зайти ко мне сегодня вечером? 8. Можно мне взять на минуту ваш бинокль? Я хочу рассмотреть лицо певца. 9. Вы не поможете мне с чемоданами? — Конечно. 10. Вы не могли бы подвезти меня на вокзал? — С удовольствием. 11. Пожалуйста, подожди меня немного. —Хорошо. 12. Будьте добры, помогите мне выбрать подарок жене. 13. Можно мне оставить свой портфель в гардеробе? —Да. 14. Покажите мне расписание поездов, пожалуйста. 15. Не могли бы вы одолжить мне немного денег?

TOPIC: TELEPHONING

<Э'nsttactions fiot using a telephone In a pubeic kiosk in Cjteat Vfcitain

To make a call

— 343 —

1. Lift the receiver and listen for dial tone (a continuous purring sound).

2. Dial the number, or code and number, you want to call.

3. Ringing tone

A repeated brr-brr sound means that the exchange is try­ing to connect you to the number you dialled.