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2.4.- Now you put it into practice.

Time to do exercises. Some of them are quite open and many answers are possible!

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Look at the following phrases expressing ability and permission and use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.

Ventana abierta.

  1. You (may/could) leave now if you wish.
  2. (Could/May) you open the window a bit, please?
  3. (May/Can) you play the piano?
  4. (Can't/May) I make a call on your mobile?
  5. Do you know if Mark (can/may) sing?
  6. (Can't/May) I sit here, please?
  7. Caroline, your friends (can/could) stay the night if they want to. They're perfectly welcome.
  8. (May/Could) you lend me 40 Euros til Monday?
  9. Listen, please. Students (may/could) study in the library from five to nine in the evening.

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Think about it

What would you say in these situations? Write requests starting "could" or "would".

For example:

You are in a hotel. You call room service for some coffee.

Could/Would you bring some coffee to Room 83, please?

  1. Your car doesn't work. You want your friend to lend you his car for the day.
  2. You call Air France. You want to know the time of the last flight to Paris tonight.
  3. You want to know a customer's telephone number.
  4. You call a tour operator. You want some more brochures.
  5. You call the bank. You want the telephonist to put you through to extension 228.
  6. A customer wants to book a holiday. He must fill in the booking form.

Think about it

Read the sentences. Make deductions using "can't", "could" and "must".

  1. Annie goes to school from 9 am to 2 pm. It's 1:30 pm. Where's Annie?
  2. Ron likes playing soccer on Saturday mornings. It's Saturday afternoon. What's Ron doing?
  3. Joanna never leaves her house before eating breakfast. Today she's running late. What's she doing?
  4. Pedro never skips work. Today is the final game of the Soccer World Cup. Where's Pedro?
  5. Rhonda and Jackie love watching movies. Their favourite movies are comedies, but they don't like animated movies very much. Today, a new 3D animated movie is premiered. What are they doing?