Modal verbs

ModUle
Before you start
1 Read the conversation. Look at the highlighted grammar examples.

MURAT I can’t find the episode of ER that we recorded yesterday.

KAREN It must be there. I saw Max start the machine.
MURAT No, it isn’t. He must have done something wrong.
How annoying!
KAREN Don’t worry. We can download it from the Internet.
I’ll do it for you if you like.
MURAT That’s nice of you. I was looking forward to watching
it tonight.
KAREN Well, I won’t be able to do it until tomorrow – I’ve got
to work on that geography project for college.
MURAT But you don’t have to hand it in until Friday.
KAREN I know. But I’d better get on with it. You know how
slow I am!
MURAT Why don’t I help you finish it?
KAREN No, we’re not allowed to get help from anyone else. It has to be all our own work.
But thanks for offering.

2 Now read the sentences and choose the correct words in italics. The highlighted
grammar examples will help you.
1 Look at my new mobile phone. It must / can play movies! ➤ Unit 46
2 What’s your new phone number? I can’t / mustn’t remember it. ➤ Unit 46
3 Can you change my appointment? I’m busy so I won’t be able to / don’t have to
come at eleven o’clock tomorrow. ➤ Unit 46
4 Janine can / must be in the offi ce now. I saw her go in ten minutes ago. ➤ Unit 47
5 My wallet’s gone! Someone can / must have stolen it! ➤ Unit 48
6 You’ve got / You’re allowed to show your driving licence when you rent a car. ➤ Unit 49
7 Take your time. We can’t / don’t have to be there until six. ➤ Unit 50
8 We’re late. We’d better / We might hurry up. ➤ Unit 51
9 You couldn’t / aren’t allowed to drive without a licence in the UK. ➤ Unit 52
10 Are you hungry? I make / I’ll make something for you. ➤ Unit 53

3 Check your answers below. Then go to the unit for more information and practice.
7 don’t have to 8 We’d better 9 aren’t allowed to 10 I’ll make
1 can 2 can’t 3 won’t be able to 4 must 5 must 6 You’ve got

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 46 Ability and possibility
can, could, be able to

CATHY That’s a smart new phone. Does it work

in the USA?
TIM Yes, you can use it anywhere in the world.
CATHY So I suppose you’ve got a new phone
number …
TIM No. I was able to transfer my old number to the new phone.

1 can and other modal verbs

We use a modal verb with another verb to show that an action is possible, necessary or
certain. We also use modal verbs to ask permission or to give advice.
POSITIVE I can swim. You must leave. She should go.
NEGATIVE I cannot (can’t) dance. He must not (mustn’t) stop. We could not (couldn’t) leave.
QUESTIONS Can you speak French? (no, I can’t) Should they leave? (Yes, they should.)
What can you do? Where should we go?

Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, should, must, would, will and shall) are different from
other verbs.
• We use them + infi nitive without to:
✗ You can to use it anywhere. ✓ You can use it anywhere.
• They have the same form for all subjects:
✗ My brother cans swim. ✓ My brother can swim.
• We form negatives with not or n’t (not doesn’t or don’t):
✗ I don’t can speak Japanese. ✓ I can’t speak Japanese.
• W e put the modal verb in front of the subject for questions. We don’t use do/does/did:
✗ Does she can play tennis? ✓ Can she play tennis?
• T hey don’t have infi nitive or -ing forms. If we need to use an infi nitive or -ing form,
we use a form with a similar meaning, e.g. for can we use be able to:
✗ I want to can play the guitar. ✓ I want to be able to play the guitar.
✗ I love can stay up late. ✓ I love being able to stay up late.
• T hey don’t have participle (-ed, -ing) forms, so we can’t make continuous or perfect
tenses with them. Instead we change the main verb:
They can’t be waiting for us. They can’t have used it yet.
‘Modal perfects’, e.g. He must have done it. ➤ Units 51.3 and 84.1
• We can make modals passive. We use a modal verb + a form of be + past participle
(➤ Unit 84.1): Members can use this car park. ➞ This car park can be used by members.

2 can for present ability and possibility

We use can or be able to to say that it is possible to do something, or that somebody/
something has an ability to do something:
You can use this phone anywhere in the world. Can you speak Japanese?
We usually pronounce can as /kən/ in statements and Wh- questions:
Karl can speak Japanese. When can we play tennis?
We sometimes use the strong form /kn/ in yes/no questions and always in short answers:
Can Karl play tennis? Yes, he can.
The negative can’t is /kɑnt/ in most varieties of British English: I can’t read music.
Pronunciation ➤ 1.22

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 • We use be able to when something is surprising or requires some effort:
9
It’s amazing – some animals are able to sleep standing up!
Because of her illness, Alice isn’t able to see visitors.
• We use can/can’t with verbs of the senses (e.g. see, hear, smell) and some verbs of thinking
(e.g. believe, forget, remember) to describe an action happening now:
I can smell something bad. Can you remember her name?
I can’t believe this computer’s so slow!
If we are NOT sure if something is possible, we use may, might, etc. (➤ Units 47 and 48):
This phone might work in the USA, but I’m not sure.

3 Future ability and possibility

To talk about what we can do in the future we use these modals:
be able to for situations that After you receive your password, you’ll be able to visit our
are certain new website.
I won’t be able to eat for three hours after the operation.
can for future personal The dentist can see you on Friday.
arrangements Can you meet me at the airport on Tuesday?
could for situations that are We could give up our jobs and live on a desert island.
possible but unlikely I’m so angry I could scream. (NOT can)
could or would be able to for If you had a credit card, you could buy it on the Internet.
conditional situations If you learnt to sing, you’d be able to join the music group.

Second conditional ➤ Unit 55

4 Past ability and possibility

To talk about past ability and possibility, we use could/couldn’t or was/were able to:
Before I got this job I couldn’t afford a car.
When I was young I was able to run for miles without getting tired.
Could the first cameras take colour photos?
! But if we are making a positive statement about a single event in the past, or asking
a question about it, we use was/were able to, NOT could:
✗ I could transfer my old number. ✓ I was able to transfer my old number.
For negative statements we can use couldn’t or wasn’t/weren’t able to:
We weren’t able to get any cheap flights. We couldn’t get any cheap flights.
If something was particularly difficult, we can use managed to:
I washed it twice but I’m afraid I didn’t manage to get rid of that stain on your shirt.
We often use managed to with expressions like in the end, eventually and finally:
It took a while, but in the end we managed to find some cheap flights on the Internet.

5 General truths
We use can for something that is generally possible:
It can be very cold in New York in January. (= It is sometimes very cold.)
Life can be very hard for people on low incomes.
Bad weather can cause flight delays at any time.
We use could to talk about general truths in the past:
In the days of sailing ships it could take many months to travel across the Atlantic.

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 46 can, could, be able to
Practice
1 Complete the sentences with can, can’t, could, couldn’t or will/won’t be able to. Then match
them with the pictures below.
0 Jeff’s great in the kitchen – he . can
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cook amazing meals! E
.........

1 Jeff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cook at all when he was younger, not even simple things. .........

2 Rob used to be a strong runner. He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . run a marathon in three hours. .........

3 Rob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . run a marathon now. He gets very tired.  .........

4 Sandra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . repair her car – she doesn’t know anything about cars. .........

5 Sandra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . repair her car when she finishes her mechanics course. .........

A now… B now… C ten years ago…

D next year… E now… F twenty years ago…

2 Write statements and questions, using the words below and the modal verbs in brackets.
3.27 Listen and check.

0 I hate / not wear / jeans in smart restaurants (be able to)

I hate not being able to wear jeans in smart restaurants.
........................................................................................................................................

1 Their children / not read or write / yet (can)

........................................................................................................................................

2 you / hear / that strange noise / ? (can)

........................................................................................................................................

3 your old mobile phone / play videos / ? (could)

........................................................................................................................................

4 you / arrange an appointment / with the dentist / yesterday / ? (be able to)
........................................................................................................................................

5 we / not answer / your call / at the moment (be able to)

........................................................................................................................................

6 we / get a flight / next Tuesday / ? (be able to)

........................................................................................................................................

7 I’d love / play a musical instrument / really well (be able to)
........................................................................................................................................

8 We really enjoy / swim / in our own pool / any time we like (be able to)
........................................................................................................................................

9 It / be / very hot / in Madrid / in August (can)

........................................................................................................................................

10 After the operation / I / not walk properly / for two weeks (could)
........................................................................................................................................

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 3 GRAMMAR IN USE Read the article and choose the correct words in italics. In two places,
9
both answers are possible. 3.28 Listen and check.

How technology has changed our lives …

Last week my wife suggested we should have a
weekend break: Barcelona, or perhaps Prague. After
a few minutes on my computer I (0) was able to /
could book flights and a hotel, then print out airline
tickets and a hotel voucher – all done in less than
half an hour. Nothing surprising about that, you
might say. But then I suddenly remembered how
things were different when I was a child. If my
parents wanted to go away they (1) can’t / couldn’t
just use the Internet – because there was no Internet.
Well, of course it existed, but ordinary people
(2) couldn’t / weren’t able to use it, it was only used
by a few universities and some government agencies.
No, they had to phone a travel agent or drive into was no signal in the countryside. And they were
town and go to a travel agency. huge – not much smaller than a house brick. Now
It’s the same thing with phones. I remember once, I have a phone that’s no bigger than a box of
when I was a teenager, going out with some friends matches. And I (6) can / manage to phone anyone,
and missing the last bus home. Of course, none of anywhere in the world, any time I feel like it. It
us had a mobile phone. So we spent hours searching can even (7) using / be used to look at the Internet.
for a phone box so we (3) could / can call for a taxi. (8) Do you can / Can you imagine how exciting it
Eventually we (4) could / managed to find one, but was the first time an engineer managed (9) to make /
by then it was 2 a.m. and we were freezing cold. making a phone small enough to put in your pocket?
In those days mobile phones were an expensive It must have been amazing. But I’m sure that in the
luxury. Even if you had one, you (5) could only / future they (10) can / will be able to make them
were only able to use it in big cities because there small enough to wear as a wristwatch!

4 Find eight more mistakes and correct them. Tick (✓) the correct sentences.
0 You can hire bikes at the station. ✓
was able to
00 Andrew could get tickets for the fi lm yesterday.
1 Do you can drink the water from the taps in this country?
2 We couldn’t fi nd an English-language newspaper at the shop.
3 Erica could been really badly behaved when she was a child.
4 Did you manage to calling your mother yesterday evening?
5 To get the job you have to can speak fl uent Spanish.
6 We weren’t able to buy water in bottles in those days.
7 See you that man standing over there?
8 I’m so angry I can kill him!
9 London can be a very violent place in the nineteenth century.
10 I could record the fi lm for you last night. It’s on this DVD.

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 47 Making a guess (1)
may, might, could, My camera’s
must, can’t, should completely dead!

It must be the battery.

It can’t be that. I recharged it

yesterday. But it might be the
memory card. Perhaps it’s full …

1 Making a guess about a present situation

When we are completely certain about something, we don’t use modal verbs:
The camera isn’t working because the battery hasn’t been charged.
But sometimes we make a guess. If we’re certain our guess is correct, we use must or can’t:
‘It must be the battery.’ ‘It can’t be that. I recharged it yesterday.’
Lucy’s just bought a new car – she must be earning plenty of money.
‘Is that Marina at the door?’ ‘It can’t be her, she’s on holiday.’
! With this meaning, the opposite of must is can’t, NOT mustn’t:
I filled the petrol tank yesterday. ✗ It mustn’t be empty. ✓ It can’t be empty.
Pronunciation ➤ 1.23
If we are less certain that our guess is correct we use may (not), might (not) or could:
It might be the memory card. Perhaps it’s full ...
There could be life on other planets.
The manager may be in a meeting. I’ll just check for you.
Steve might not be living at home any more – I heard he was looking for a flat to rent.
! We use may not or might not (not could not) if we are not sure about our guess:
✗ This small shop could not have batteries.
✓ This small shop might not have batteries. (= Perhaps they don’t have any batteries.)
We don’t often ask people to guess with must, may or might. We prefer to use Could or
Do you think?:
Could it be the battery? Do you think Jerry’s at home today?

2 Making a guess about the future

If we make a guess about the future, we use may (not), might (not) or could,
but NOT couldn’t:
If we wait for a few days, the prices might be cheaper.
I could get a part-time job next summer. The tickets may not arrive in time.
! ✗ The engineer could not be able to fix it. ✓ The engineer might not be able to fix it.

3 expectations
When we expect something to be true, or have a strong feeling our guess is correct,
we use should or shouldn’t:
You can phone Henry at work. He should be in the office by now.
Don’t take any food. There should be plenty to eat once you get there.
Allow half an hour to get through security at the airport – it shouldn’t take longer than that.

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 Practice 9
1 Do the sentences in each pair have the same (S) or different (D) meaning? Write S or D.
0 A Could she be an engineer?
B Do you think she’s an engineer? S
..........
1 A Perhaps we will buy some new computers for the offi ce.
B We may buy some new computers for the offi ce. ..........
2 A We are visiting our grandparents next weekend.
B We might visit our grandparents next weekend. ..........
3 A She can’t be his daughter.
y.
B I’m sure she isn’t his daughter. ..........
4 A They might not get married in the spring.
B They won’t get married in the spring. ..........
5 A He must be very angry.
B Perhaps he’s angry. ..........
6 A She should be there on time.
B I think she’ll be there on time. ..........

2 GRAMMAR IN USE Read the conversation and choose the correct words in italics. In two
places, both answers are possible. 3.29 Listen and check.

lucas This is a nice painting. Wow. Five thousand pounds!

It (0) must / can be by someone famous.
JoDie Let me see … er, it’s by Darren Hudson. I’ve never
heard of him.
lucas He (1) could / might be one of those new
Canadian artists.
JoDie No, he (2) mustn’t / can’t be. All the artists in this
exhibition are British.
lucas Oh. Look at this one. What do you think it is?
JoDie I don’t know. It (3) could / can be a person. Yes. I think it’s a woman.
lucas I’m not so sure. It (4) could / might not be a person. I think it looks more like a tree.
JoDie No, it (5) mustn’t / can’t be that. Look, you can see the eyes, just there.
lucas Oh, yes, I hadn’t noticed them.
JoDie There’s another one like it over there. (6) May it be / Do you think it’s by the same
artist?
lucas It (7) might / may be. Let’s have a look … no, it’s got a different name on it.
JoDie Well, I don’t like any of these paintings, anyway. Why don’t we go to the
Bloomsbury Gallery? There (8) can / should be lots of nice pictures there.
lucas Yes, but it’s already fi ve o’clock. It (9) might / could not be open by the time we get
there.
JoDie I think it’s open until 6.30. I think we (10) must / could get there in time.

3 Look at the photos and complete the sentences below with your own ideas.
A 0 It could be part
. . . . . . . .of
. . . .a
. . .jet
. . . . . .engine
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
1 It can’t be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A
2 It might not be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 It must be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B 1 It can’t be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 It might be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 It could be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 It must be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 48 Making a guess (2) Everything’s pink! You must have
put something red in the machine.

must, might, could,

should + have

No, I can’t have. I always wash

whites separately. Oh, I might
have put John’s red socks in
with the sheets by mistake ...

1 Past forms
The perfect form of modal verbs is modal verb + have + past participle:
POSITIVE I might have (might’ve*) seen him. You should have (should’ve) been there.
She must have (must’ve) done it.
NEGATIVE I cannot (can’t) have lost it. He might not (mightn’t) have stopped.
We could not (couldn’t) have known.*
QUESTIONS Could you have known? (no, I couldn’t (have).)
Should they have left? (Yes, they should (have).)
What could she have done? Where should we have gone?
* In spoken English we sometimes use short forms, e.g. should’ve, shouldn’t’ve, mightn’t’ve, etc.

Pronunciation ➤ 1.24
There is also a continuous form, modal verb + have + been + -ing:
He must have been driving too fast. They couldn’t have been watching us.

2 Making a guess about a past situation

If we’re certain that our guess is correct we use must, can’t or couldn’t + have + past
participle:
Everything’s pink! You must have put something red in the machine.
I can’t have. I always wash whites separately.
Lester couldn’t have been driving the car – he doesn’t even own a car!
If we are less certain, we use may (not), might (not) or could + have + past participle:
‘Where are the keys?’ ‘I don’t know; I may have left them in the car.’
‘Why isn’t Ali here yet?’ ‘I don’t know. Could he have forgotten the date?’
‘Why haven’t they phoned me back?’ ‘They might not have been getting their messages.’
! We use mightn’t have + past participle, NOT couldn’t have + past participle, if we are not
certain:
I’m not sure; ✓ I mightn’t have passed the exam. (= It’s possible that I haven’t passed it.)
✗ I couldn’t have passed the exam.

3 expectations about the past

We can talk about things we expected to happen in the past with should + have + past
participle:
Check the post. That letter should have arrived by now.
You’d better phone the hospital. They should have had the test results this morning.
We can also use this form for an action that was planned but didn’t happen:
We should have had our exam results last week, but they haven’t arrived yet.
I should have gone swimming last Friday but the pool was closed for repairs.
Note that was/were meant to or was/were supposed to have a similar meaning:
The plane was meant to leave at six but there was a mechanical problem.
I was supposed to send her my email address but I forgot.
should have for criticism and regrets about the past ➤ Unit 51.3 was going to ➤ Unit 45.1
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 Practice 9
1 Use the words below to write sentences and questions that make guesses about the past.
3.30 Listen and check.

0 could / she / come / on the earlier bus? Could she have come on the earlier bus?
.......................................................................

1 Jackie / might / miss / the train .......................................................................

2 they / should / get home / by now .......................................................................

3 might / the children / stay / late at school? .......................................................................

4 I / must / leave the keys / in my coat pocket .......................................................................

5 Carol / might not / receive / your email .......................................................................

2 Choose the best meaning, A or B.

0 Sally might have taken the children to the park.
A I’m sure this happened. B I’m not sure this happened.
1 It must have been a wonderful party!
A I went to the party. B I didn’t go to the party.
2 Ellen can’t have been there.
A I’m sure about this. B I’m not sure about this.
3 Check your computer. They should have sent the email yesterday.
A I think they sent an email. B I don’t think they sent an email.
4 That’s a pity. They might not have known about it.
A They didn’t know about it. B I don’t know whether they knew about it or not.

3 GRAMMAR IN USE Choose the correct answer, A, B or C below. 3.31 Listen and check.
gaBY Did you read about the ‘man with no name’ in the paper?
nick No, what was the story?
gaBY The police found this very confused man walking on the beach.
He (0) ............. remember his name or where he was from.
nick He (1) ............. a car accident or something.
gaBY No, he (2) ............. . He doesn’t have any injuries.
nick Well, he (3) ............. suffering from some sort of memory loss …
gaBY Maybe. But he seemed to be quite healthy.
nick What about his personal possessions? He (4) ............. a wallet or something.
gaBY No, he wasn’t carrying anything.
nick They (5) ............. stolen by someone.
gaBY I suppose so. But the police don’t seem to think that was the case.
nick How strange. (6) ............. an illegal immigrant?
gaBY No. He (7) ............. . He spoke to the police in fl uent English, with a local accent.
nick Don’t the police have any idea who he is? I mean, they (8) ............. looked at their
missing persons records.
gaBY Yes, but they didn’t fi nd a match. It’s a real mystery …

0 A couldn’t have B couldn’t C must

1 A must have had B must have C might have been having
2 A could have B might have C couldn’t have
3 A must have B might have been C can’t have been
4 A must have had B shouldn’t have C couldn’t have had
5 A could being B must to be C might have been
6 A Could he have been B Might be he C Could he being
7 A shouldn’t have been B should be C can’t have been
8 A mightn’t have been B must have C shouldn’t have

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 49 Rules must, mustn’t,
have (got) to

Do I have to buy a battery for it?

No, it’s got a battery already. But
you’ll have to charge the battery
1 Form at home before you can use it.

PRESENT must1 I must go now. You must not (mustn’t) smoke here.
Must we leave now?
have to You have to leave now. They don’t have to work today.
Do I have to pay?
have got to2 I have (’ve) got to pay my phone bill. He hasn’t got to work today.
Has she got to work today?
PAST had to We had to buy a new TV. We didn’t have to pay.
Did you have to get a visa?
FUTURE will have to You’ll have to leave soon. We won’t have to pay.
Will she have to get a visa?
1
Must is a modal verb. Have to and have got to are not modal verbs.
2
Have got to is not the same as have got (➤ Unit 26.2).

NATURAL ENGLISH We can ask questions with must, but it is more common to use have to:
Must we answer all the questions? ➞ Do we have to answer all the questions?

2 Positive rules and necessary actions

We use have to to say that something is necessary, or is a rule:
The taxi’s here. We have to leave now. (necessary)
All car passengers have to wear a seat belt. (a rule)
Do I have to buy batteries? (Is it necessary?)
NATURAL ENGLISH In informal British English we often use have got to. It means the same as
have to.
We also use must but it is less common than have (got) to. We usually use must for
• a rule given by the speaker to another person, or to himself/herself:
You must wear your coat; it’s cold outside. (parent to young child)
I must lose some weight. (I think I should do this.)
• instructions (often in writing and with a passive verb):
Answers must be written in ink. (exam instructions)
We don’t use must or have got to for past or future situations, we use forms of have to:
past We had to have visas to visit China last year.
future You’ll have to charge the battery before you can use it.

3 Negative rules
We use can’t or not allowed to to say that there is a rule NOT to do something:
You can’t smoke here. We’re not allowed to use calculators in the exam.
We can also use must not, but usually only for explaining rules and in instructions:
Remember, children, you mustn’t ride your bikes on the grass.
These lights must not be used outdoors.
To talk about negative rules in the past or future we use be allowed to (➤ Unit 52.3):
I wasn’t allowed to do that when I was a child. We won’t be allowed to check in until later.
! If there is no rule to say something is necessary, we use don’t have to, NOT mustn’t.
Compare: You don’t have to eat in here, you can eat outside if you prefer. (You have a choice.)
You mustn’t eat in here. (You don’t have a choice. You have to eat somewhere else.)
More on don’t have to, need to, didn’t need to/needn’t ➤ Unit 50
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 Practice 9
1 Write the words in the correct order to make sentences or questions.
3.32 Listen and check.
0 has the see dentist Clare tomorrow to
Clare has to see the dentist tomorrow.
.................................................................................................................................................

1 got he has wear a uniform to ?

.................................................................................................................................................

2 application form we to had get an

.................................................................................................................................................

3 to will mobile phone a Serena have get new

.................................................................................................................................................

4 did to wait you a long time have ?

.................................................................................................................................................

5 leave guests before must midday their hotel rooms

.................................................................................................................................................

2 GRAMMAR IN USE Choose the correct words in italics. In two places, both answers are
correct. 3.33 Listen and check.

FAQs
Setting up a broadband connection and wireless network in your home.
➽ My wireless network is very slow and sometimes it doesn’t work. What can I do to improve it?
The most important thing is the position of your router (the machine that sends out the wireless
signals). You (0) are allowed to / have to put it in the centre of the house. And it (1) mustn’t be /
doesn’t have to be next to a TV or computer as they may interrupt the signals.
➽ I’ve only got one phone line. (2) Do I have to / Must I have a second line for a broadband connection?
No, you (3) don’t have to / mustn’t have a separate phone line, you can use one line.
➽ I don’t have a phone line in my house but my neighbour’s phone line runs across the front of my
house. (4) Am I allowed to / Have I got to use his line for my Internet connection?
No. You (5) don’t have to / aren’t allowed to use somebody else’s phone line; it’s illegal! In any case,
it wouldn’t work. You will (6) must / have to get your own phone line, I’m afraid.
➽ Is it true that (7) you have to / it must be to set up a special password?
No, you (8) haven’t got to / don’t have to set up a password for your router, but it is a good idea to
do so, as it will prevent other people using your connection.

3 Find five more mistakes and correct them. Tick (✓) the correct sentence.

0 Sylvia has to wear a uniform because she is a nurse. ✓

got
00 Henry has get to wear glasses for reading.
1 Caroline must to do more exercise.
2 Do you got to take your holiday before the end of August?
3 You must lock the doors at night.
4 The car is very dirty; you’ve got wash it.
5 Have you allowed to park there?
6 Darren must wear glasses when he was young.

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 50 Necessary and TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

unnecessary actions
need, needn’t, don’t
have to/need to

Sorry. I can’t come out tonight. I need to

finish this report for the meeting tomorrow. You needn’t have done that report,
Celia – the meeting’s cancelled.

1 need as a modal, need to

Need can be a modal verb (➤ Unit 46), but the only modal forms that we use
are needn’t and needn’t + have + past participle:
You needn’t leave yet, it’s early. You needn’t have done that report.
We generally prefer to use need to, which is a regular verb, with the usual verb changes:
You need to leave now. Do I need to buy batteries?
She does not (doesn’t) need to do it. We didn’t need to charge the battery.
need + -ing/infinitive ➤ Units 67.4 and 85.4

2 Necessary actions
We can use need to
• to say that something is physically necessary: I’m tired. I need to get some sleep.
• when we believe that something is necessary or important: He really needs to lose weight.
• to mean have to (➤ Unit 49): You need to score 60% to pass the exam.
past Jane’s condition was quite serious. She needed to stay in the hospital overnight.
future You’ll need to get some photos for this passport application.

3 Unnecessary actions, present and future

We use needn’t/don’t need to, don’t have to or haven’t got to to say that something isn’t
necessary or isn’t a rule:
You needn’t take any food ­– lunch is provided. (It isn’t necessary.)
You don’t need to buy a battery – it already has one.
Men don’t have to do military service in Britain. (It isn’t a rule.)
There’s no rush. We haven’t got to leave yet.
We use won’t need to or won’t have to for unnecessary future actions:
You won’t need to bring any extra money on Friday, everything is included in the price.
I won’t have to wait for long; the bus comes every ten minutes.

4 Unnecessary actions in the past

We use didn’t need to or didn’t have to to say that something wasn’t necessary in the past.
We don’t know if the action happened or not:
The pain went away so I didn’t need to see a doctor. We didn’t have to pay – it was free.
We use needn’t + have + past participle to say that an action happened in the past although
it wasn’t necessary:
You needn’t have brought a camera. You can use mine.
You needn’t have gone to a photographer’s. There’s a photo machine at the station.
Compare:
Carol needn’t have taken a towel. The gym provides them free of charge.
(Carol took a towel but it wasn’t necessary.)
Carol didn’t need to take a towel. The gym provides them free of charge.
(We don’t know whether Carol took a towel or not.)

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 Practice 9
1 Match the two parts of the sentences.
0 Tomorrow’s meal is included in the price so A I need to earn lots of money.
1 My rent is really high so B I needed to take plenty of money.
2 It’s going to be an expensive evening so C I needn’t have taken so much money.
3 The prices at the holiday resort were much D I didn’t need to take any money at all.
cheaper than I expected so
4 My parents paid for everything yesterday so E I won’t need to take any money.
5 We went on a really long holiday last year so F I’ll need to take lots of money.

2 Match sentences A–H with 1–7. Then write a suitable form of need in the gaps.
3.34 Listen and check.
A There was no rain last summer and the grass didn’t grow.
B John cut his hand badly while he was cooking yesterday.
C My parents changed their plans and didn’t come to stay with us last month.
D My brother doesn’t have any money.
E Helen is going on holiday next week.
F Maria’s just painted her house.
G Adam’s got fantastic eyesight.
H There are some tomatoes in the fridge.
0 E
.......... She ‘ll
. . . . .need
. . . . . . . .to
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . buy a new suitcase before she leaves.

1 .......... He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . get a job.

2 .......... He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wear glasses.
3 .......... We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tidied up the guest bedroom.
4 .......... She . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . paint it again for several years.
5 .......... We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cut it at all.
6 .......... We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . call an ambulance.
7 . . . . . . . . . . You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bought any.

3 GRAMMAR IN USE Complete the conversations with the words from the box.
3.35 Listen and check.

didn’t need to do I need to don’t have ’ll need to

need to needn’t have needs to won’t need to

1 customer I’d like to join the sports club.
receptionist Right. You (0) . need
. . . . . . . . .to
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fill in this form. Then, after we’ve processed

the form, you (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . make an appointment for a health

check. Each new member (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . have a health check before
using the equipment.
customer Oh. I (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do that at my previous club.
receptionist Well, we have a very strict policy here. But don’t worry, it’s only an interview.
You (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to see a doctor or anything like that.

2 customer Here’s my camera. I’d like to get some prints made.

assistant Oh, you (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . brought in the camera. All we need is the
memory card.
customer And I want to take some more photos. (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . buy more film?
assistant No, you (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . do that, it’s a digital camera. You just delete
the pictures and use the space on the memory card for your new photos.

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 51 Advice and criticism
should, ought to, must, had better
I can’t get the new DVD
player to work properly.

You’d better look at

the instruction book.

I can’t. It doesn’t have

one. I bought it on eBay.
Well, you shouldn’t have
bought such a cheap machine!
1 Forms
Must and should are modal verbs (➤ Unit 46.1): You should see a doctor.
We can also use the perfect form should (not) + have + past participle (➤ Unit 48.1):
We should have (should’ve) bought it. Should we have left?
We should not (shouldn’t) have gone.
Ought to and had better have this word order:
I ought to go. I ought not to go.* Ought I to go?
I had better go. I had better not go. Had I better go?*
* We don’t usually use these forms in spoken English.

NATURAL ENGLISH We usually use short forms of had better and should have in spoken
English: You’d better look at the instruction book. We shouldn’t’ve spent all our money!

2 Advice and warnings

We use should/shouldn’t and ought to/ought not to if we think something is a good
or bad idea in general, and to give advice in a particular situation:
People shouldn’t smoke indoors. You look terrible – you ought to see a doctor.
We usually use should to ask for advice:
Should I ask my boss for a pay rise?
We can use must or mustn’t to give strong advice and warnings. It is stronger than
should or ought to:
You must try this cake – it’s delicious! I really must lose some weight!
We mustn’t forget to take our passports. You mustn’t swim there, it’s dangerous.
We use had better (not) to give advice and warnings in a particular situation.
It usually means ‘if you don’t do/do this, something bad will happen’:
You’d better check the train times first. (If you don’t do this, your journey might be difficult.)
That looks hot. You’d better not touch it. (If you touch it, you might get burnt.)
! We don’t use had better (not) to give general advice:
✗ People had better not smoke indoors. ✓ People shouldn’t smoke indoors.
NATURAL ENGLISH In conversation, we often use I (don’t) think and do you think with should/
ought to: It’s expensive. I don’t think we should buy it. (= We shouldn’t buy it.)
Do you think I ought to wear a suit to the interview?

3 Criticism and regrets about the past

We can use should/shouldn’t + have + past participle to criticise someone’s past actions:
You should have done more revision. You shouldn’t have bought such a cheap machine!
We also use should/shouldn’t have + past participle to express regret for a past action:
I should have phoned you but I was busy. I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I’m sorry.
! We don’t use must have or had better to express regret or criticism:
✗ You must have phoned me. ✗ You’d better phoned me. ✓ You should have phoned me.
Pronunciation ➤ 1.25

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 Practice 9
1 Choose the best meaning, A or B.
0 The bus is late. You’d better take a taxi.
A Taxis are better than buses. B I think you should take a taxi.
1 We’d better not swim here.
A It’s dangerous. B It’s better than the other swimming pool.
2 You should have phoned your mother.
A You phoned her this morning. B You didn’t phone her this morning.
3 The government should reduce taxes.
A I think taxes aren’t high enough. B I think taxes are too high.
4 You ought to put on some suncream.
A We went to the beach yesterday. B We’re going to the beach.
5 I really must look for a better job.
A I think this is important for my future. B My boss told me to do this.

2 GRAMMAR IN USE Read the problem page and choose the correct words in italics.
3.36 Listen and check.

Lulu’s Problem Page

Carla I’m only 19 but I’m always tired and I haven’t got any energy. I used to go to a gym but
I’m a student so I spend most of my time sitting at my computer, and my diet is very bad. I know
I (0) can’t / shouldn’t eat fast food but I hate cooking! What do you (1) advice / think I should do?
Lulu says Well, you are right, you (2) shouldn’t / had better eat fast food; it’s very unhealthy!
If you want to have more energy you (3) should have / ought to eat lots of fruit and vegetables. You
(4) mustn’t / shouldn’t have stopped going to the gym! If you are more active, you’ll feel better.
Andy I work in a factory and in the evenings I stay at home and watch TV. Sometimes I go
to the cinema. Last year I joined an evening class on photography but I only went for a few weeks.
Perhaps I (5) should have / had better kept going to it, but it wasn’t very interesting. What can I do
to make my life less boring?
Lulu says I (6) think you shouldn’t / don’t think you should stay at home all the time – you’ll never
make new friends if you do that! And you (7) ought not to / don’t ought to go to an evening class
if you aren’t interested in it. Instead, you (8) should / ought to have join a club with people who are
interested in the same things as you. I know you like the cinema. Why don’t you join a film club?

3 Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first, using the word in brackets.
Use two to five words in your answer. 3.37 Listen and check.
0 It’s a pity you didn’t tell me about the party. (told)
You . should
. . . . . . . . . . . .have
. . . . . . . .told
. . . . . . .me
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . about the party.

1 Don’t touch the top of the oven, it’s still very hot. (better)
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the top of the oven, it’s too hot.
2 I wish I hadn’t ordered the soup; it tasted awful. (have)
I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the soup, it was terrible!
3 You should ask Jack, he always gives good advice. (to)
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack, he always gives good advice.
4 I really think you should listen to this CD, it’s fantastic! (must)
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . this CD, it’s fantastic!
5 Please tell me what to do with this old computer. (think)
What do you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with this old computer?

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 52 Permission Can I use my laptop?

can, may, might, could,

be allowed to

I’m sorry. Passengers aren’t allowed to

use electronic devices during take-off.

1 Asking for and giving/refusing permission

ASKING FOR PERMISSION GIVING PERMISSION REFUSING PERMISSION
informal Can I use my laptop? Yes, you can. no, you can’t.
Yes, of course (you can). no, I’m sorry.
Yes, sure.
formal/ Could I ask a question? Yes, you can/may. no, you can’t/may not.
polite May I make a suggestion? Yes, of course/ no, I’m sorry/I’m afraid
Might I interrupt for a moment? certainly. not.

FORMALITY CHECK To ask for permission

• we use can in most situations, but if we need to be polite, or if we think permission will
be refused, we use may, could or might. Might is the most formal.
May I leave early today? (to your boss) Could we stay an extra night? (to a hotel clerk)
Might I ask a question? (in a formal business meeting)
• we can also use Do you mind if ... (formal), Is it all right if ... and Is it OK to ... :
Do you mind if I open the window? Is it all right if I use your bathroom? Is it OK to bring
a friend?
When we refuse permission we often give a reason:
‘Can we park here?’ ‘No, I’m sorry. It’s only for hotel guests.’
! We don’t use could or might when we give or refuse permission:
Could I use your bathroom?
Might I ask a question?
] ✗✓ Yes,
Yes, you could. ✗ No, you couldn’t.
you can. ✓ No, you can’t.
✗ Yes, you might.

Pronunciation ➤ 1.26

2 Permission in rules and laws

We use can/can’t or be (not) allowed to when we talk about permission in rules and laws:
In the USA you can turn right at a red traffic light.
You can’t ride a motorbike without a helmet in the UK.
Are we allowed to take photos in the museum?
Passengers aren’t allowed to use electronic devices during take-off.
We can also use may/may not to describe rules in written instructions:
Passengers may use electronic devices once the seat belt signs have been switched off.

3 Permission in the past and future

To talk about permission in the past, we use could/couldn’t or was/were allowed to:
In the 1960s you could drive without a seat belt. You couldn’t wear jeans at my old school.
I was allowed to stay up quite late when I was young.
In the nineteenth century women weren’t allowed to vote in elections.
! But to talk about permission for a single action in the past, we use allowed to, not could:
✗ We could go home early last Friday. ✓ We were allowed to go home early last Friday.
We can use will/won’t be allowed to to talk about permission at a time in the future:
After you complete the training, you’ll be allowed to use the equipment on your own.
The play starts at eight o’clock. You won’t be allowed to enter the theatre after that.

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 Practice 9
1 Match the sentences with the photos. Then write can, can’t, are allowed to or aren’t
allowed to in each gap.
A B C D E

ed to
-off.

. . . . . . . . . use your mobile phone here but you . are

0 You . can’t . . . . . . .allowed
. . . . . . . . . . . . to
. . . . . . . . . eat ice cream. C
..........

1 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eat here but you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bring your own food. ..........

2 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . drive a car here but you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ride a bike. ..........

3 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wear socks here but you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wear shoes. ..........

4 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . look at things here but you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . touch them. . . . . . . . . . .

2 GRAMMAR IN USE Read each conversation and decide whether the situation is formal or
informal. Then choose the best words in italics. 3.38 Listen and check.

1 A Good morning. This is Brinley Insurance. Could / Can I speak to Mrs Canford?
B This is Mrs Canford.
A Hello, Mrs Canford. May I / Am I allowed to ask you some questions about your
house insurance?
A I’m sorry. I’m rather busy at the moment.
B Well, can / might I you call back later?
2 A Now that everyone has given their opinion I think it’s time to take a vote.
B Mr Chairman. Might / Can I ask a question about these sales figures before we vote?
A No, I’m afraid you might not / can’t. We’ve already spent too long on this item.
3 A What’s going to happen after the new anti-smoking law starts next month?
B Well, people can’t / won’t be allowed to smoke in restaurants.
A Will they be allowed to / Can they smoke in offices?
B No, I don’t think so.
4 A This old photo of you at school is so funny. Did you always wear old jeans to school?
B No, we usually wore school uniform but we could / were allowed to wear jeans on that
day because it was the last day of term.
A Really? At my old school you could / might wear anything you liked!

3 Find six more mistakes and correct them. Tick (✓) the correct sentences.
to carry
0 People are allowed carrying guns in many parts of the USA.
1 In my country you can’t to smoke in the street.
2 In the UK, children aren’t allowed have credit cards.
3 ‘Could I use your bathroom, please?’ ‘I’m afraid you couldn’t. It’s reserved for hotel guests.’
4 I’m not allowed to make personal calls from my office phone.
5 In my country people might vote once they reach the age of eighteen.
6 After next April we can’t be allowed to bring mobile phones to school.
7 This device may not be used underwater.
8 I could use the boss’s parking space last Friday because she was away.

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 53 Requests and suggestions; offers, promises
and warnings can, could, would, will, shall
1 Requests
We use can to make requests in most situations: Excuse me. Could you
Can you help me with these bags? Yes, of course (I can). help me with this?
Can we have two coffees, please? Certainly/Sure.
I’ll be with you in a
We usually add please to requests to make them polite: minute. I’m helping this
Can we have two coffees, please? customer right now.
We put please in front of the verb to make a request stronger:
Can we please have a menu? Would you please be quiet?
We often use will you with people we know well:
Will you give me a hand with this?
FORMALITY CHECK We use could or would for more polite
or formal requests:
Excuse me. Could you help me with this? (in a shop)
Would you sign this form? (talking to a customer in a bank)
! But we don’t use could or would to reply to requests:
‘Would you help me?’ ✗ ‘Yes, I would.’ ✓ ‘Yes, of course.’

2 Suggestions
SUGGESTIONS AS We/You could
STATEMENTS watch a dVd.
let’s
SUGGESTIONS AS Why don’t we
QUESTIONS watch
Shall/Should we a dVd?
How/What about watching

We often use we/you could and should we when we are not sure that the listener will like
the suggestion. ‘We could try that new Japanese restaurant.’
We can agree or disagree with the suggestion. If we disagree, we usually give a reason:
‘Shall we get a pizza?’ ‘Yes, let’s do that. / That’s a good idea. / Great.’
‘How about meeting up for coffee on Sunday?’ ‘Oh, I can’t, I’m really busy. I’m sorry.’

3 will for offers, promises, warnings

to agree ‘Will you sign this for me?’ ‘Yes, I will.’ (✗ Yes, I’ll.)
‘Will you have some more cake?’ ‘no, thanks, I won’t. I’m on a diet.’
to offer or promise to We’ll drive you to the station if you like.
do something We won’t forget how kind you’ve been to us.
to say if someone else Take it to Marco – he’ll fix it for you.
agrees or is able to do Ask my teacher about it – she’ll help you.
something (or not) don’t ask carol. She won’t know the answer.
promises/warnings I’ll be with you in a minute. don’t touch the cooker – you’ll get burnt.

We can also make offers with shall I/we or I/we could. We use these forms when we are not
sure that the listener will want to accept:
‘Shall we help you with that?’ ‘ No, thanks. I can manage on my own.’
‘I could get Lucy’s present for you.’ ‘That’s kind of you, but I’d rather do it myself.’
! We don’t use the present simple to make offers:
‘My hair’s wet.’ ✗ ‘-I get you a towel.’ ✓ ‘I’ll get you a towel.’ ✓ ‘Shall I get you a towel?’
Pronunciation ➤ 1.27

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 Practice 9
1 Write the requests, suggestions and offers in the correct order to complete the
conversations. 3.39 Listen and check.

0 A I’m really late. I’m going to miss my train.

B station you take I’ll the to I’ll take you to the station.
...............................................................

1 A TV can please you the turn off ? ...............................................................

B Yes, sure.
2 A I really don’t understand how to work out these maths problems.
B give extra I lesson an you could ...............................................................

3 A I don’t really want to go out this evening.

B getting pizza how a about ? ...............................................................

4 A I don’t think we’re ready to order yet.

B fi ve in I back shall come minutes ? ...............................................................

5 A it bag put would in a please you ? ...............................................................

B Yes, of course, Madam.

2 GRAMMAR IN USE Complete the conversation with the words from the box.
3.40 Listen and check.

can could you help course how about I’ll let’s shall shall I would you

laura Mmm. There are so many laptops to choose from.

neil (0) .Let’
. . . . . .s. . . . . . . . . . . . ask somebody to help us.

laura OK. (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . we get one of the shop assistants?

There’s one over there. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . go and ask
him. … Excuse me. (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . us?
assistant Of (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I see you’re looking for a laptop.
(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . you tell me what you’ll be using it for?
laura Yes. We want to replace our computer. It’s old and it
won’t last much longer.
assistant Right. (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . looking at some of these ones?
neil Mmm. We also want to take it with us when we travel and those ones look pretty
heavy. (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . get one down so we can try carrying it?
laura Oh, this one’s quite heavy.
assistant (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . show you some of the lighter models?

3 Complete the conversations with one word only (or a short form) in the gaps.
Use a different word each time.
1 A Mum. (0) . .Can
. . . . . . . . you help me wrap this present?

B OK, but there’s no wrapping paper. I (1) . . . . . . . . . . get some next time I go to the shops.
A Actually, I think there’s some in the kitchen drawer. (2) . . . . . . . . . . don’t we use that?
B Oh, is there? (3) . . . . . . . . . . I go and get it?
2 A Right, Mr Parsons. (4) . . . . . . . . . . you put your cash card in the reader, please? Thanks.
Now, (5) . . . . . . . . . . you type in your PIN number? Thank you.
B Will you be able to give me the cash in twenty-pound notes?
A Yes, of (6) . . . . . . . . . . .

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 Review  Module 9
1 UNITS 46 AND 47 Choose the correct words in italics.
0 Although it took us a long time, we managed to open / opening the old safe.
1 When I was younger, I can / could run very fast.
2 After he finishes the mechanics course, Dave can / will be able to service his own car.
3 Mr Webber managed to / could fit the carpet yesterday, with my brother’s help.
4 Come this way. The nurse might / can see you now.
5 That restaurant was quite expensive. We may not / could not go there again.
6 ‘Why is Janine so late?’ ‘She could not / might not have the correct address.’
7 That mustn’t / can’t be David at the door. I know he’s away on holiday.
8 My heating broke down yesterday but I was able to / could borrow a heater from
next door.
9 Why don’t you go up to Mr Gray’s office? He can / should be back from lunch by now.
10 Look at old Mrs O’Leary. She must / can be at least ninety years old!

2 UNITS 46, 47 AND 48 Complete the sentences with the verbs from the box.

could can can’t could have can’t have must must have
might not should have to be able was able to

0 Elizabeth .must
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . be in; I can see the light in her window.

1 Perhaps you should take some cash with you. The restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . accept
credit cards.
2 Good news. The engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fix your computer yesterday, so you can
use it again.
3 You were very lucky. You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . been badly hurt.
4 We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . go to the museum today; it’s closed.
5 There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . been a terrible storm. When Jeff got home he was
soaking wet!
6 Those old photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . be in the cupboard. I haven’t looked in there
for ages.
7 Uncle Mike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gone away. His car is still parked outside our house.
8 Turn on your TV. They . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . announced the winner by now.
9 I’m having Spanish lessons. I want . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to speak the language when I go
to Madrid.
10 Take some warm clothes. It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . be very cold there at this time of year.

3 UNITs 47 AND 48 Match the questions 1–5 with the replies A–F.
0 Is Mr Knight getting a pay rise? A He can’t have been. He was in the office.
1 Is it possible to see Mr Knight B He could be. It depends on his sales
later today? results.
2 Is Mr Knight working at home today? C Yes, he should be back by four-thirty.
3 Was Mr Knight working at home D Yes, he should be there by now.
yesterday? E He can’t be. I’ve just seen him in the
4 Why wasn’t Mr Knight at the meeting office.
yesterday? F I don’t know. He should have been there.
5 Is Mr Knight in his office?

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 4 UNITS 49 AND 50 Read the article and choose the correct answer, A, B or C below. In two
9
places more than one answer is possible.

How-to Guides
12 using dry Ski Slopes
Dry ski slopes are a cheap and effective way of learning to ski
before you take the plunge and book that expensive holiday in the
mountains. But, as with all sports, there are several dos and don’ts
that you should know before you start.
• Skiers (0) . . . . . . . . . . be reasonably fit. Skiing can be physically
demanding. If you are in any doubt about your fitness you
(1) . . . . . . . . . . get a check-up from your doctor before using the slope.
• You (2) . . . . . . . . . . be an experienced skier – all levels of ability are
welcome on the dry ski slope.
• You (3) . . . . . . . . . . wear skis at all times on the slope – it isn’t safe to walk on it in ordinary shoes.
(You (4) . . . . . . . . . . bring your own skis, they are available to hire.)
• You (5) . . . . . . . . . . wear special clothes when you are on the dry ski slope, but we recommend that
you wear strong gloves as the surface of the slope can easily burn your hands if you fall. Because
of safety regulations, children under the age of sixteen (6) . . . . . . . . . . wear protective helmets.
• Most dry ski slopes have a café or restaurant so you (7) . . . . . . . . . . to bring your own food or drinks.
But remember that food and drinks (8) . . . . . . . . . . be taken onto the ski slope at any time, because
of the risk of accidents.

0 A need B mustn’t C have to

1 A will need to B mustn’t C won’t need to
2 A needn’t B must not C don’t have to
3 A need B don’t need to C must
4 A have got to B don’t have to C have to
5 A needn’t B mustn’t C don’t have to
6 A didn’t have to B must C need
7 A must not B needn’t C don’t need
8 A needn’t B must not C don’t need to

5 UNITS 46, 49 AND 50 Read the conversation and choose the correct words in italics.

mike I went skiing at the new dry ski slope last Wednesday. It was great fun.
Della Really? I didn’t know you could ski!
mike ell, I (0) can’t / mightn’t really. But you (1) mustn’t / don’t need to be an experienced
W
skier. Anyone (2) can / may do it. I mean, I’ve never skied before so I (3) must / had to
have lessons. But they have really good instructors who teach you the basics. After
about half-an-hour I (4) can / managed to start skiing reasonably well.
Della Did you (5) have to / had to wear special clothes?
mike ot really. I (6) had to / must wear skis, of course. But I (7) was able to / could hire
N
them at the slope.
Della Did you have lunch there?
mike ell, I took some sandwiches. In fact, there’s a really nice restaurant there, so I
W
(8) needn’t / mustn’t have done that.

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 6 UNITS 49 and 50 Match the sentences with the pictures, then complete the sentences with
a suitable form of must, have to or need. If two answers are possible, write both.
A B C D

E F G H

0 We really . need
. . . . . . . . .to/must
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . get a new television. C
..........

1 He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . buy some warmer clothes before next week. ..........

2 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bought all that food. There’s plenty in the fridge! ..........
3 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . feed the animals. It’s dangerous! ..........

4 We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wear smart clothes. It was a very formal party. ..........

5 Mum, you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pay, it’s free. ..........

6 Mobile phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . be switched off during the performance. . . . . . . . . . .

7 Great. After next week I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . park in the street any more! ..........

7 UNITS 51, 52 AND 53 Complete this conversation at a conference hotel with phrases from
the box. There are three extra phrases.

aren’t allowed to could have could you how about I’ll may I ought not to
ought to shall I shouldn’t have why don’t you you’d better

clerk Good afternoon, sir. (0) . .May
. . . . . . . .I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . help you?

guest Hello. I’d like to check in, please. I’m here for the conference on technology
in schools.
clerk Certainly, sir. (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . complete this form, please?
guest Of course. Is my room ready?
clerk No, I’m afraid not. It should be ready at half past two.
guest Oh, right. Well, I’ve got quite a lot of bags.
clerk That’s no problem. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . leave them in the luggage room?
(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ask the porter to take them there for you?
guest Yes, thanks. Er, I’ve parked my car on the street outside the back entrance of the
hotel. Is that OK?
clerk I’m sorry, sir. You (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . park there, it’s against the fire regulations.
You (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . block the access to the hotel. There’s a car park for guests
at the side of the hotel.
guest Oh. Do you think I (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . move it along a bit?
clerk Well, that’s a no-parking area so perhaps (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . put it straight in the
car park.
guest OK. (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . go and do that now.

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 8 ALL UNITS Look at the signs and notices. Then complete the sentences below, using the
9
words in brackets.

0 1 2
Do not leave No ball Two
bags unattended games AA batteries
included.
at any time.

New
keep fit You are invited
3 4 5

≋
For best results,
microwave. class: to Clare’s 30th
Village Hall, birthday party
6.30.
6 8
7 Two TV celebrities
Weather warning: Not for
Severe frost tonight. opened the new
sale to minors
shopping centre in
(under the age Bristol yesterday.
of 18).

9 10
End of season
Auditions for
SALE: Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Everything
will be held tomorrow
must go!
at the Arndale Centre

0 You . must
. . . . . . . . . .keep
. . . . . . . .your
. . . . . . . .bags
. . . . . . . .with
. . . . . . . . .you
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . at all times. (keep / bags / with you)

1 You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in this park. (play football)

2 We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . – they are included. (buy / batteries)
3 I think we . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (cook / this / in the microwave)
4 How . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tomorrow evening? It might be fun.
(try / keep fi t class)
5 She . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; we were in the same year at school and I’m
thirty-fi ve! (be / thirty)
6 We’d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from the garden – there’s going to be frost
tonight. (bring / those plants in)
7 Only adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (buy / this product)
8 What a pity I didn’t go! I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . !
(meet / someone famous)
9 That looks interesting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and have a look?
(we / go / inside)
10 Why don’t you go? This . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . you’ve been waiting for.
(be / the chance)

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 Test  module 9
Modal verbs

Choose the best answer, A, B or C.

1 I’d like to . . . . . . . . . . sing well.
A can B have ability to C be able to  ➤ Unit 46
2 We ran out of milk last night but I . . . . . . . . . . buy some at the corner shop.
A could B was able to C can’t  ➤ Unit 46
3 The buses . . . . . . . . . . get very crowded before they built the new Underground.
A could B can C were able to ➤ Unit 46
4 It took us a long time, but eventually we managed . . . . . . . . . . a refund.
A to get B get C getting  ➤ Unit 46
5 This . . . . . . . . . . be your book. It’s got your name on it.
A can B must C perhaps ➤ Unit 47
6 It’s quite a popular course. There . . . . . . . . . . be any places left on it.
A might not B must not C could not ➤ Unit 47
7 The heating’s been on all day so there . . . . . . . . . . plenty of hot water for your bath.
A could be B should be C can’t be ➤ Unit 47
8 Everything’s soaking wet. It . . . . . . . . . . have rained very heavily last night.
A should B could C must  ➤ Unit 48
9 I . . . . . . . . . . to football practice yesterday but I had a bit of a stomachache.
A can’t go B should have gone C couldn’t have gone  ➤ Unit 48
10 It’s eight o’clock. We . . . . . . . . . . leave now.
A ’ve got to B are have to C ’ve got ➤ Unit 49
11 When we arrived at the gate, we . . . . . . . . . . show our passports.
A must B had got to C had to ➤ Unit 49
12 You . . . . . . . . . . take any of the confidential files home. It’s against company rules.
A don’t have to B haven’t got to C mustn’t ➤ Unit 49
13 I’m really putting on weight. I . . . . . . . . . . some exercise.
A need doing B have need do C need to do ➤ Unit 50
14 I . . . . . . . . . . my car so I left it at home and came on the bus.
A needn’t have brought B didn’t need to bring C haven’t needed to bring➤ Unit 50
15 That cut looks bad. We . . . . . . . . . . phone for an ambulance.
A ’d better B must better C should have  ➤ Unit 51
16 I’m really sorry. I . . . . . . . . . . said all those terrible things about you.
A shouldn’t B shouldn’t have C mustn’t have ➤ Unit 51
17 ‘Excuse me. May I take a photograph?’ ‘No, I’m afraid you . . . . . . . . . . .’
A mightn’t B couldn’t C can’t  ➤ Unit 52
18 Our teacher was sick, so we . . . . . . . . . . leave school early yesterday.
A were allowed to B could C might ➤ Unit 52
19 One more thing, madam. . . . . . . . . . . you confirm your date of birth?
A Would B May l C Shall ➤ Unit 53
20 ‘I’m starving!’ ‘OK. I . . . . . . . . . . you something from the fridge.’
A ’m getting B ’ll get C get ➤ Unit 53

160 Go online for a full exit test

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