TEACHER'S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOURCES School Rules

Activity Type Introduction

Matching and writing In this useful worksheet activity, students practice modal verbs and
activity, pairwork expressions of obligation and prohibition by joining sentence parts
together to make a set of school rules.

Language Focus Procedure

Modal verbs
Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the worksheet
'can't' for prohibition and a piece of paper.

'have to' and 'don't have Explain that each sentence on the worksheet has been split into
to' for obligation three parts.

In their pairs, students join the three parts of each sentence

Aim together to make a school rule. Students then write the sentence
on a separate piece of paper. The first pair to complete all the
To join sentence parts sentences correctly is the winner.
together to make a set of
school rules. Afterwards, go through the correct answers with the class.

Answer Key
Preparation
1. C
 lasses start at 9 o'clock, so you have to be on time every
Make one copy of the morning.
worksheet for each pair
of students. 2. It’s important to ask your teacher for permission to go to the
bathroom, so you can’t go without asking him or her.
3. T
 he office secretary is responsible for the photocopier, so you
Level can’t make photocopies without her permission.
Pre-intermediate 4. A
 ll students have one hour for lunch, so you have to be back in
the classroom by 1 o’clock.
5. A
 ll students must wear a school uniform, so you can't wear
Time casual clothes to school.
25 minutes 6. W
 hen the teacher is speaking, you have to be quiet.
7. Water is free, so you don’t have to buy drinks.
8. Y
 ou must turn off your mobile phone, because you can’t make
personal calls inside the school.
9. T
 here are lots of restaurants and sandwich shops near the
school, so you don’t have to eat in the school canteen.
10. I t’s important to be quiet when you go near the Headmaster's
office, so you can’t make a noise outside his door.
11. T
 he canteen is open all day, so you don't have to leave the
school to get something to eat.
12. W
 hen you don't come to school, you have to give your teacher
a note from your parents.

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 MODAL VERBS OF OBLIGATION AND PROHIBITION

ESL / EFL RESOURCES School Rules

Each sentence below has been split into three parts. Work with a partner and join the three
parts of each sentence together to make a school rule. Write the sentences on a separate piece
of paper.

The first pair to complete all the sentences correctly is the winner.

...make personal calls

1. Classes start at 9 o'clock, so you... don’t have to
inside the school.

2. I t’s important to ask your teacher for ...be back in the

have to
permission to go to the bathroom, so you... classroom by 1 o’clock.

3. T
 he office secretary is responsible for the ...make a noise outside
have to
photocopier, so you... his door.

4. A
 ll students have one hour for lunch, so you... can’t ...be quiet.

5. All
 students must wear a school uniform, so ...leave the school to get
don’t have to
you... something to eat.

...give your teacher a

6. When the teacher is speaking, you... can’t
note from your parents.

...make photocopies
7. Water is free, so you... can't
without her permission.

8. Y
 ou must turn off your mobile phone, because
have to ...buy drinks.
you...

9. T
 here are lots of restaurants and sandwich ...be on time every
can’t
shops near the school, so you... morning.

10. I t’s important to be quiet when you go near ...wear casual clothes to
have to
the Headmaster's office, so you... school.

...eat in the school

11. The canteen is open all day, so you... can’t
canteen.

...go without asking him

12. When you don't come to school, you... don't have to
or her.

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