SPECULATION AND DEDUCTION

Ability
We use can and can't to talk about someone's skill or general abilities:
She can speak several languages.
He can swim like a fish.
They can't dance very well.
We use can and can't to talk about the ability to do something at a specific time in the present or
future:
I can see you.
Help! I can't breathe.
We use could and couldn't to talk about the past:
She could speak several languages.
I couldn't see you.

General ability
We usually use could or couldn't to talk about general abilities in the past.
She could paint before she started school.
I couldn't cook until I went to university.
When I lived next to the pool, I could go swimming every day.

Ability on one occasion – successful

When we talk about achieving something on a specific occasion in the past, we use was/were able to
(= had the ability to) and managed to (= succeeded in doing something difficult).
The burglar was able to get in through the bathroom window.
The burglar managed to get in through the bathroom window even though it was locked.
Could is not usually correct when we're talking about ability at a specific moment in the past.
Ability on one occasion – unsuccessful
When we talk about a specific occasion when someone didn't have the ability to do something, we
can use wasn't/weren't able to, didn't manage to or couldn't.
The speaker wasn't able to attend the conference due to illness.
She couldn't watch the match because she was working.
They worked on it for months but they didn't manage to find a solution.

Key Word Transformations with Modals of

Speculation/Deduction
1.I’m sure he’s not Michael Jackson. He died a few years ago!BE
He _______________________ because he died a few years ago.
2.It’s possible that in the sales cameras will be cheap enough for me to afford one.ABLE
I __________________________ a camera in the sales if they are cheap enough.
3.I think Sarah isn’t very ill, because I saw her shopping this morning.BE
Sarah ____________________ because I saw her shopping this morning.
4.Perhaps Filip is from the Czech Republic – he speaks Czech very well.COULD
Filip ________________________ the Czech Republic because his Czech is very good.
5.He is so rich that I am sure he is always happy.MUST
He is so rich that ________________ happy.
6.He looks so pale that I’m sure he has seen a ghost.MUST
He _________________ ghost because now he looks very pale.
7.I think Alice worked at a hotel last summer, but I’m not sure.MIGHT
Alice ________________ at a hotel last summer.
8.Jana speaks excellent Finnish so I’m sure she’s lived in Finland at some point.HAVE
Jana ______________________ Finland at some point because she speaks excellent Finnish.
9.Adam is so loud now that I’m sure he wasn’t a quiet child!BEEN
Adam ____________________ a quiet child because he’s so loud now.
10.She is so scared of dogs, that maybe a dog bit her when she was little.BITTEN
She is so scared of dogs that she _____________________ a dog when she was little.
11.I know he wasn’t in London on Saturday because I saw him in Newcastle.HAVE
He _______________________ in London on Saturday because I saw him in Newcastle.
12.She was so happy on Monday morning that I’m sure she had a good weekend.HAD
She was so happy on Monday morning that _______________________ a good weekend.
13.I think Will’s tired because he didn’t sleep much yesterday.COULD
Will ______________________ because he didn’t sleep much yesterday.
14.She was probably in a hurry because she forgot to buy a birthday present for her friend,MIGHT
She forgot to buy a birthday present for her friend and that ___________________ she was in a hurry.
Rewrite the sentences using the correct modal verb.
1. It’s possible that Jane will visit Switzerland next year. Jane…
2. I’m thinking about taking Spanish lessons. I…
3. I’m sure they arrived home at 8.
4. James definitely did not take your purset! James…
5. It’s possible the weather will be sunny tomorrow.
6. I’m sure that Mrs Smith didn’t leave home. Mrs Smith …
7. Perhaps she’s gone to stay with her mother. She …
8. It’s possible that Mr Smith committed a crime. Mr Smith…
9. I’m certain that he buried something in the garden. He …
Name: __________________ Date: ___________________
Key Word Transformations with Modals of Speculation/Deduction

1. The goalkeeper was injured last week, so maybe he isn’t playing today. MIGHT
The goalkeeper was injured last week, so he …………………….……………………………. today.
2.I expect you were very pleased to have your book published. GIVEN
It must …………………………………..……….to have your book published.
3.Tim seems to drink only tea now so perhaps he has stopped drinking coffee. MAY
Tim seems to drink only tea now so he …………………………………..………..up drinking coffee.
4. I only glimpsed him briefly, but I’m sure he was David and not Thomas. BEEN
He…………………………………………………..Thomas, I took a brief glimpse of him!
5. I can’t find my keys. Perhaps I left them on my desk at work. MAY
I can’t find my keys. I …………………………………………………..on my desk at work.
6. The dog’s barking a lot. Can he try to tell us something? WARN
The dog’s barking a lot. I think he ………………………………………………..us about
some danger.
7. Sally’s not answering the phone. I know she wasn't going away for the weekend.
Could she be at the shops? HAVE
Sally’s not answering the phone. I know she is in town, she ……..…………………………… the
weekend.
8. It’s his birthday tomorrow. I’m pretty sure he’s excited. BE
He loves celebrating his birthday so he ………………………………………………..his birthday
tomorrow!
9. They said they'd fixed the washing machine, but it's still not working properly. THE
The technician …………………………………………….. washing machine as it’s still not working
properly.
10. Andrea never wears that blouse we bought her, could it be because of the colour or the
size? NOT
Andrea never wears that blouse we gave her. It ……………….…………………………..size or
color.
11. Jim is not going out with Sue; she's just got engaged to Jess. GOING
You’re wrong! Jim......................................................with Sue, he’s already engaged to Jes.
12.You've got nearly all the homework answers wrong. You didn’t pay attention, did you?
CAN’T
You ……………………………………………… attention in class if all your answers are wrong!
14. The tennis rackets aren't in the car. You did not remember to put them in. FORGOTTEN
The tennis rackets aren't in the car. You …………………………………………….. them in.

Write a sentence for each of these situations using a proper modal of speculation or
deduction.
1. You are always so keen to get back home to eat!
………………………………………………………………….
2. I don't know why I am so tired these days.
…………………………………………………………………………
3. Do you know where Carl is? His car keys are on the table.
…………………………………………………………
4. Go and look in the kitchen for your gloves.
…………………………………………………………………………
5. Oh, the phone is ringing. Answer it.
…………………………………………………………………………………

Modals Speculation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6hEQdGGMuc&ab_channel=BBCLearningEnglish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aaMn_5tkUA&ab_channel=howtoEnglish

Modals Ability
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aZLQHU0psM&ab_channel=OxfordEnglishNow

Modal verbs - Key word transformations

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/strategy/transfrm/modals.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/modaltransformations.htm

http://www.englishw.com/ModalsKWT.php

http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/key-word-transformations-with-modals-of-
speculationdeduction/

http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/learning-english/FCE/modal-verbs.html

Key Word Transformation:

Instructions:
For each sentence, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first. Use the word given and between 2 to five words. You must use the word given.
1. It’s possible that we didn’t use technology for a whole month because we wanted a
break. NOT
We ____________________________ a break from technology when we spent a month
 without it.

2. Perhaps we did not feel comfortable at first without our phones and computers.
FELT
We ________________________________ a little lost at first without our phones and
computers.

3. I’m sure that by the end of the month, we were all much more relaxed without
technology. MUST
By the end of the month, we _______________________ much more relaxed without
technology.

4. It’s possible that we didn’t fully appreciate the value of the experience until later.
MIGHT
We ________________ appreciate the value of the experience until later.

5. I’m sure that I would have found the month very difficult if I had not been with my
family. MUST
I ________________ found the month very difficult if I had not been with my family.

6. I’m sure we couldn’t have enjoyed ourselves without spending time together without
any distractions. CAN’T
We ________________ have enjoyed ourselves without spending time together without
any distractions.

7. I think we may have underestimated how much time we would spend on non-digital
activities. MAY
We ________________ underestimated how much time we would spend on non-digital
activities.

8. It’s possible that I should have used my time better, but I enjoyed the slower pace.
COULD
I ________________ have used my time better, but I enjoyed the slower pace.

9. I think we must have realized by the end that life without technology isn’t as hard as
we thought. MUST
By the end, we ________________ realized that life without technology isn’t as hard as
we thought.

10. I wonder if we might have been more productive if we had been more focused during
the month.
MIGHT
We ________________ more productive if we had been more focused during the
month.

Writing Task: A Diary Entry about "Our Month in a Tech-Free House"

Write a diary entry about your month spent in a tech-free house.

Reflect on how your daily routines changed, how you spent your time, and how the experience
affected your thoughts on technology.
Did you achieve anything new? Did you feel more relaxed or stressed? Did the absence of
technology cause you to think differently about your habits?

Use the modals for speculation and deduction to describe what you might have done differently
or what you may have learned."

1. Use the following verbs and collocations in your diary entry: Carry out -
Achieve - Devote - Spend - Stay -Pass -Make -Have - Cause
2. Use modals for speculation and deduction to speculate about the present or
future and to deduce things about the past.

Example Diary Entry (for reference):

April 8th, 2025

Today marks the end of our month in the tech-free house. It’s been quite an experience, and I’m not sure
how I feel about it yet. At first, I wasn’t sure how we would spend our time without phones or computers,
but I devoted a lot of my time to reading and taking walks in nature. We carried out a daily routine that
didn’t include any screens, and I actually achieved more relaxation than I expected. There were times,
though, when I might have felt frustrated, especially when I couldn’t easily look something up or contact
friends. I must have spent the first week feeling a little disconnected from the world, but eventually, I
found other ways to pass the time.

We made a lot of decisions as a family to focus more on talking to each other, and I think this is something I
may continue after we return to our normal lives. I can’t have imagined how much this tech-free month
would change my perspective. I thought I’d miss my gadgets more, but instead, I found that I had a chance
to focus on what truly matters. The absence of technology caused us to bond more deeply, which I really
didn’t expect.

I’ll definitely miss the slower pace of life here, but I’m curious how I’ll stay focused when I return to my
usual routine with all the distractions. I could have spent a bit more time journaling, but I suppose there’s
always next time!

REPHRASINGS OF MODAL VERBS.

1. Rewrite the sentences using the modal verbs in brackets.
1. It’s possible that Jane will visit Switzerland next year. (could)
2. I’m thinking about taking Spanish lessons. (may)
3. I’m sure they’ll be home by now. (must)
4. James definitely isn’t eighteen yet! (can’t)
5. It’s possible the weather will be sunny tomorrow. (might)
6. I’m sure that Mrs Smith didn’t leave home. (can’t) Mrs Smith …
7. Perhaps she’s gone to stay with her mother. (might) She …
8. It’s possible that Mr Smith committed a crime. (may) Mr Smith…
9. I’m certain that he buried something in the garden. (must) He …
10. Perhaps he won the lottery. (could) He …
11. I’m sure he bought a new car. (must) He …
12. Perhaps Mr Smith murdered his wife. (might) Mr Smith…
13. I'm sure she's at home. (must). She…
14. I know that isn't Janet-She's in America. (can’t). She…
15. I'm sure she thinks I'm stupid. (must). She… 16. I bet I look silly in this coat.(must). I …
17. They're always buying new cars. I'm certain they have a lot of money. (must). They..
2. Rewrite the sentences using a modal verb.
1. It isn’t necessary for you to take a jacket. You…
2. I advise you to see a dentist.You…
3. You aren’t allowed to talk during the exam. You…
4. It’s forbidden to park here. You…
5. I advise you to study harder. You…
6. He is obliged to go to the police station twice a week. He…
7. Tom knows how to speak Spanish. Tom…
8. He had permission to go to the party. He…
9. It isn’t possible that that is our plane. That…
10. It isn’t necessary to take a thick coat. You…
11. I wish I had paid for half of the meal, but I didn’t. I…
12. It is possible that Jake is in his room. Jake…
13. Perhaps we will not see them at the weekend. We…
14. I don’t know if I will go to the concert. I…
15. They are certain that bringing up children is not easy. Bringing up children…
16. It is unnecessary for you to come. You…
17. I advise him to give up smoking. He…
18. Eating chewing-gum in the class in prohibited. Students…
19. There was an obligation to turn off the mobile phone. We…
20. I didn’t have the ability to cook when I was younger. I…

3 .PERFECT MODALS REPHRASING EXERCISES

1. I’m sorry that I didn’t study enough. I…
2. I’m sure that he has finished the exercise. He…
3. It wasn’t necessary for them to have reserved the tickets. They…
4. I think that Ridley Scott didn’t direct this film. Ridley Scott…
5. You didn’t write as many words as possible. You…
6. It was wrong of you to go to that party. You…
7. She was able to run faster but she didn’t. She… 8. We are certain that it was a disaster. It…
9. It wasn’t a good idea for the government to apply all those economic measures. The government…
10.I can’t believe your boyfriend began smoking. Your boyfriend…
Picture Description: Speculating
https://www.cristinacabal.com/?p=5418
1. I’m sure they didn’t expect the recipe to turn out like this.

2. It’s certain that something went wrong while they were cooking.

3. It’s possible the girl chopping tomatoes just realized she forgot an ingredient.

4. Maybe the boy on the left added too much salt to the pot.

5. Perhaps they have never cooked this dish before.

6. I know that they are all having different reactions to what just happened.

7. I’m not sure whether the food smells bad or if they saw something surprising.
 8. Possibly, the pan started burning while they were distracted.

9. Surely, they will be more careful next time they cook together!

I’m sure the girl in the green shirt found the taste really unpleasant.

It’s certain that they weren’t expecting this kind of reaction from each other.

Perhaps the boy on the right burned the food while trying to stir it.

Maybe they forgot to follow the recipe step by step.

Surely, they’ve learned an important cooking lesson from this experience!

"What 's the truth?"

Students speculate the truth behind various situations. Students take it in turns to pick up a situation
card. The other students in the group then take a speculate card each. The student reads the situation
on the card to the group, e.g. 'Your friend, Noah is always late to class'. The other students then begin a
conversation where they speculate the truth behind the situation. The aim of the game is for the students
to try to guess the truth about the person in the situation using the modal verb of speculation on their
card. The student with the situation card listens to the conversation. When someone guesses the truth
written on the card, the student stops the conversation and gives the person who guessed correctly the
card. The student with the most situation cards at the end of the game wins.

Sure — here’s a full set of 20 Situation Cards for your “What’s the Truth?” game!

I’ve written them in the same style as your example:

🃏 Situation & Truth Cards

1. Situation: Your friend Hannah keeps smiling at her phone.
Truth: She’s chatting with her new boyfriend.

2. Situation: Your classmate Liam looks really tired today.

Truth: He stayed up all night playing video games.

3. Situation: Your friend Emma didn’t come to school yesterday.

Truth: She had a dentist appointment.

4. Situation: Your friend Jack has been eating only salads all week.
Truth: He’s trying to lose weight for the summer.

5. Situation: Your friend Olivia is wearing a fancy outfit to school.

Truth: She’s going to a family party after school.

6. Situation: Your friend Ethan has a new expensive phone.

Truth: He got it as a birthday present from his parents.

7. Situation: Your friend Ava looks really nervous before class.

Truth: She forgot to study for the test.

8. Situation: Your classmate Noah keeps looking out the window.

Truth: He’s waiting for his dad to pick him up early.
 9. Situation: Your friend Sophia has been very quiet lately.
Truth: She had an argument with her best friend.

10. Situation: Your friend Lucas is always checking the weather app.
Truth: He’s planning a weekend hike.

11. Situation: Your classmate Mia has a bandage on her arm.

Truth: She hurt herself while playing soccer.

12. Situation: Your friend Mason keeps humming a tune.

Truth: He’s excited about his music performance this weekend.

13. Situation: Your friend Isabella keeps glancing at the clock.

Truth: She has an appointment after school.

14. Situation: Your friend James is carrying a big backpack today.

Truth: He’s going to sleep over at his cousin’s house.

15. Situation: Your classmate Lily is wearing new shoes.

Truth: She bought them with her birthday money.

16. Situation: Your friend Benjamin is always checking his watch.

Truth: He has soccer practice right after class.

17. Situation: Your friend Charlotte hasn’t eaten lunch.

Truth: She forgot her lunchbox at home.

18. Situation: Your classmate Henry keeps writing in his notebook during break.
Truth: He’s working on a secret story for a writing contest.

19. Situation: Your friend Amelia is always carrying her camera around.
Truth: She’s preparing a photo project for school.

20. Situation: Your friend Logan is smiling at his report card.

Truth: He finally got an A in math.

Activity Title: Mystery Detective

Objective:
To practice modals for speculation (such as must, might, could, can't) in a fun, interactive way. Students
will use modals to make guesses and form hypotheses based on clues and scenarios.

Materials:

● Printed mystery clues (or you can display them digitally on the board or a projector)

● A timer (optional)

Preparation:
Before the lesson, prepare a series of mystery scenarios. Each scenario should involve a situation
where students must make speculations about what happened or who did something, based on a series
of clues.

Scenario 1: The Missing Chocolate Cake

Clue 1: There are crumbs on the floor near the kitchen.

Clue 2: Sarah’s dog has chocolate on its face.

Clue 3: There’s a note on the table that says, “Sorry, I couldn’t resist!”

Clue 4: Tom was in the kitchen earlier but left quickly.

Scenario 2: The Vanishing Phone

Clue 1: The phone was on the kitchen counter this morning.

Clue 2: Mark was seen leaving the house with a bag just before the phone went missing.

Clue 3: There’s a strange message on the phone screen that says, “Help, I’m in danger!”

Clue 4: Linda has been acting nervous all day.

Scenario 3: The Broken Window

Clue 1: There’s broken glass outside the house.

Clue 2: A football was found in the garden next to the window.

Clue 3: Emma was playing with her friends outside when the window broke.

Clue 4: Liam was seen running away from the garden shortly after the incident.

Instructions for the Activity:

1. Group Work 3.4 per group (15-20 mins):

○ Your group will be given one of the mystery scenarios

○ Discuss what you think happened, using modals for speculation.

○ Use at least 3 different modals in their discussion.

Optional Extension:
● Mystery Writing: After the activity, students could be asked to write their own mystery scenario
and provide clues. They could then swap their stories with a partner, who will use modals to
speculate on what happened in the mystery.

Example Sentences for Modals in Speculation:

1. He must have eaten the last cookie because the plate is empty.

2. She might have gone to the park after school.

3. They can’t have left the party already, it's too early!

4. It could be raining outside, I heard thunder earlier.

This Mystery Detective activity is a fun and engaging way for students to practice modals for
speculation. It encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity while helping them develop their
language skills in a practical context.

FCE Key Word Transformation: Ability

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. You must use the word given and
change it in any way.

1. I looked everywhere for my glasses but was unsuccessful.

NOT I __________ find my glasses anywhere, even though I looked for them.

2. She could speak several languages when she was younger.

She __________ speak several languages when she was younger.

3. I couldn't go to the party because I was feeling ill.

I __________ go to the party because I was feeling ill.

4. The burglar managed to get in through the bathroom window despite it being locked.
The burglar __________ get in through the bathroom window despite it being locked.

5. He didn't have time to finish his homework yesterday.

He __________ finish his homework yesterday.

6. They tried very hard to fix the computer, but they weren't successful.
They __________ fix the computer, even though they tried very hard.

7. I could swim every day when I lived near the beach.

I __________ swim every day when I lived near the beach.

8. She wasn't able to speak French before she moved to Paris.

She __________ speak French before she moved to Paris.

9. We managed to find a solution after several attempts.

We __________ find a solution after several attempts.

10. I couldn't see the stage because the person in front of me was too tall.
I __________ see the stage because the person in front of me was too tall.

Answers:

1. wasn't able to

2. could

3. wasn't able to

4. managed to

5. didn't manage to
 6. weren't able to

7. could

8. couldn't

9. managed to

10. couldn't

Sure! Here's an FCE Key Word Transformation exercise based on a family trip:

FCE Key Word Transformation: Family Trip

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. You must use the word given and
change it in any way.

1. We went to the beach every day when we were on holiday.

We __________ go to the beach every day when we were on holiday.

2. We had no problem finding a hotel during our trip.

We __________ find a hotel during our trip.

3. I wasn’t able to join the family for dinner because I was feeling unwell.
I __________ join the family for dinner because I was feeling unwell.

4. My sister could play the guitar really well when we went camping last summer.
My sister __________ play the guitar really well when we went camping last summer.

5. We spent hours trying to get to the park, but we couldn't find the way.
We __________ find the way to the park, even though we tried for hours.

6. We managed to see all the famous sights during our trip to Rome.
We __________ see all the famous sights during our trip to Rome.

7. We couldn't find a good place to eat on the first day of our trip.
We __________ find a good place to eat on the first day of our trip.

8. Last summer, we could swim in the lake every afternoon.

Last summer, we __________ swim in the lake every afternoon.

9. Despite the rain, we were able to go on a boat tour.

Despite the rain, we __________ go on a boat tour.

10. My brother didn't have the ability to speak French before we visited Paris.
My brother __________ speak French before we visited Paris.

Answers:

1. could

2. had no trouble (in)

3. couldn't

4. could

5. didn't manage to

6. managed to

7. couldn't

8. could

9. were able to

10. couldn't