Unit 8.

Talents

Grammar Vocabulary Reading Listening Writing & recording

Modal verbs Prepositions Super powerful rice Listening comprehension Text organisation
Test Vocabulary practice cooker LXP warranty Now you write
exercise Reading comprehension Describe a photo

Grammar
Modal verbs
Modal verbs are so named because they change the mode or aspect of the verb, as opposed to the tense. Study
this example:

I water my flowers every day.

Riego mis plantas todos los días.

The verb is “to water” and it’s in the present tense.

Now, compare:

I MUST water my flowers every day, otherwise they’ll dry up.

Debo regar mis flores todos los días, de lo contrario se secarán.

MUST is the modal verb. We have not changed the tense- we are still talking in the Present Simple tense - but
we have changed the mode or aspect of the verb “to water”. Here you have a list of modal verbs:

Modal verbs Translation Example

She can work with us.
Can puedo
Ella puede trabajar con nosotros.
I could do it.
Could podía, podría
Yo podría hacerlo.
It may be too late.
May puede que
Puede que sea demasiado tarde.
It might not work.
Might puede que / podría (less probable may)
Puede que no funcione/Podría no funcionar.
Sirve para formar el futuro I’ll help you with your homework.
Will
y ofrecerse a hacer algo Te ayudaré con tus deberes.
We would bring it if we could.
Would Sirve para formar el condicional
Lo traeríamos si pudiéramos.
Shall we have a coffee?
Shall Sirve para formar el futuro y hacer sugerencias
¿Nos tomamos un café?
You should read more.
Should debería/s
Deberías leer más.

Must debo/ debes

He must stay longer. 93
Debe quedarse más tiempo.
She ought to go to school tomorrow.
Ought to debería/s
Ella debería ir al cole mañana.
 Modal verbs have certain peculiarities too. For example:

®® They do not take "-s" in the third person. Examples:

She can work here.
Ella puede trabajar aquí.

®® We usually don’t use modal verbs in the past or in the future. Examples:

They will can sing tomorrow. I musted do my homework yesterday.

Incorrecto: Ellos cantarán mañana. Incorrecto: Yo debí hacer mis deberes ayer.

Though would, could, should and might sometimes be used as past tenses of will, can, shall and may.

After modal verbs we use the infinitive without “to”, except in the case of “ought to”. Study these examples:

They could read (infinitive without to) the book. You ought to read (infinitive with to) more.
Ellos pudieron leer el libro. Deberías leer más.

Types of modal verbs

®® Degrees of certainty ®® Degrees of freedom and obligation

hh Complete certainty (positive or negative): hh Strong obligation:

They will come tomorrow. You must do as I tell you.
Ellos vendrán mañana. Debes hacer lo que te diga.

I won’t cook next week. hh Prohibition:

No cocinaré la semana que viene. You must not park your car here.
No debes aparcar tu coche aquí.
hh Probability/ possibility: They can’t call now.
We may go to Paris. No pueden llamar ahora.
Puede que vayamos a París.
hh Recommendation:
He should be here any moment. You should try to do it anyway.
Debería llegar en cualquier momento. Deberías intentar hacerlo de todas maneras.
hh Weak probability: hh Permission:
I might buy a car. Can I borrow your pen?
A lo mejor compro un coche. ¿Me dejas tu bolígrafo?
May I ask you something? (More formal than "can")
¿Puedo preguntarte algo?
hh Ability:
He can dance and sing very well.
Él sabe bailar y cantar muy bien.

Remember “ought to” is the only modal verb which is

followed by infinitive + to. For example:
You ought to turn right.
Debes girar a la derecha.

Structures:

94 To make affirmative sentences, ask questions, answer questions and

make negative sentences we follow the same pattern as that used for
auxiliary verbs (for example do/does/did).
Affirmative sentences

Structure: Examples:

Subject + modal verb + main verb + object She must drive to work. Ella debe ir en
subject modal verb main verb object coche al trabajo.

Questions

Structure: Examples:

Modal verb + subject + main verb + object Should we do it? ¿Deberíamos

modal verb subject main verb object? hacerlo?

Answers:

Structure: Examples:

Yes, subject + modal verb

No, subject + modal verb + not
Yes, I should Sí, deberíamos.
No, I shouldn't No, no deberíamos.
Yes/No subject modal verb + not
Negative sentences

Subject + modal verb + not + main verb + object

Example:

They couldn’t do it. Ellos no pudieron

subject modal verb + not main verb object hacerlo.

Negative questions

Modal verb + not + subject + main verb + object?

Example:

Can’t I go?
¿No puedo ir?
modal verb + not subject main verb?

1. “Can” and “could” cannot be used in the future. We cannot say, for example: I will can.
Therefore, we must substitute “can/could” for “to be able to” (ser capaz de). For example:
I won’t be able to go tomorrow. (No podré ir mañana).
They will be able to travel tomorrow. (Ellos podrán viajar mañana).

2. “Must” cannot be used in the past. We cannot say, for example: We musted study. 95
(Nosotros debíamos estudiar). In this case we substitute “must” for “had to”. For example:
We had to study. (Nosotros tuvimos que estudiar).
 Watch some videos about the modals verbs in English.

Test
A. Answer yes, no, or, not sure to the questions below:

1. She can play the violin very well. Is she a good 6. It would be better if you coloured it red. Is it as good as
musician? it can be?
A. Yes. A. Yes.
B. No. B. No.
C. Not sure. C. Not sure.
7. Shall I get you a refill? Has a second drink been served?
2. I could pass that exam. Has she passed it?
A. Yes.
A. Yes.
B. No.
B. No.
C. Not sure.
C. Not sure.
8. She should study harder. Is she studying as hard as
3. John may have arrived by now. Has John arrived yet? possible?
A. Yes. A. Yes.
B. No. B. No.
C. Not sure. C. Not sure.
9. You must carry your passport at all times. Is an ID card
4. They might win if they listen to their captain. Are they
a possible substitute?
good enough to win?
A. Yes.
A. Yes.
B. No.
B. No.
C. Not sure.
C. Not sure.
10. You ought to reserve a table as lunch time is always
5. I will complain in the morning. Has she complained yet? busy. Is the restaurant’s policy, reservations only?
A. Yes. A. Yes.
B. No. B. No.
C. Not sure. C. Not sure.

B. Choose the best modal verb for the space:

1. The doctor …………………… change the appointment to 6. Peter really …………………………. be kinder to his sister as
Friday if that is better for you. she is younger than him.
A. should. A. should.
B. could. B. may.

2. Don’t hit the dog as it …………………………. bite you! 7. The company …………………………. find the cheapest flight
A. ought to. available, it’s their job.
B. may. A. should.
B. would.
3. …………………………. I get us a drink?
8. I ………………………. double-check the departure time if I
A. Shall.
were you.
B. Will.
A. may.
B. would.
4. He …………………………. come and visit us over the
weekend if he finishes his work. 9. I ……………………. let you know as soon as I hear anything.
A. might. A. could.
B. shouldn’t. B. will.
96
5. I ………………………. update my driving license, it’s expired! 10. I …………………………. speak German if that helps.
A. can’t. A. should.
B. must. B. can.
Vocabulary
Prepositions
Preposition Example Preposition Example
For
About This book is about robots. This pencil is for drawing.
para (destinatario
acerca de / sobre Este libro va sobre robots. Este lápiz es para dibujar.
/ uso / propósito)
Above The shelves are above the TV. From They come from the
encima de / por Las estanterías están sobre la de (origen / Netherlands.
encima de televisión. remitente) Son de los Países Bajos.
Across The restaurant is across the
In It’s in the box.
en frente de / Street.
en Está en la caja.
cruzando El restaurante está cruzando la calle.
In front of
After I’ll do it after you. It’s in front of you.
en frente de /
después Lo haré después de ti. Está en frente de/delante de ti.
delante de
Against Don’t fight against them. Inside It’s inside the box.
contra No luches contra ellos. dentro de Está dentro de la caja
You should work more instead of
Instead of
Along We went along that road. going on holiday.
en vez de/ en lugar
a lo largo de Fuimos a lo largo de ese camino. Deberías trabajar más en vez de ir de
de
vacaciones.
Into
Among We were among many people. Please, get into the car.
en / a / (movimiento
entre (en medio de) Estuvimos entre mucha gente. Por favor, métete en el coche.
de entrar)
Like
Around You must go around the corner. She looks like me.
como / parecido /
alrededor de Debes ir alrededor de la esquina. Ella se me parece.
igual que
The tournament will take place
At Near The church is near my office.
at the hotel.
en el / la cerca de / junto La iglesia está cerca de mi oficina.
El torneo tendrá lugar en el hotel.
You have to leave before noon.
Before Next to They are next to me.
Tienes que marcharte antes de
antes a lado Ellos están a mi lado.
mediodía.
Behind Go behind me. Of The history of Spain.
detrás de / atrás de Ve detrás de mí. de (posesivo) La historia de España.
Below The temperatures are below zero. On The book is on the table.
debajo de / abajo de Las temperaturas son bajo cero. sobre / en El libro está en/sobre la mesa.
Beside She is beside me. Outside It’s very cold outside.
al lado de / junto a Ella está a mi lado. fuera de Hace mucho frío fuera.
There is a box in between the Over The lamp hangs over the table.
Between
chair and the table. encima de / por La lámpara cuelga por encima de
entre
Hay una caja entre la silla y la mesa. encima de la mesa.
By Written by Shakespeare. Since I have been living here since 2007.
por Escrito por Shakespeare. desde Llevo viviendo aquí desde el 2007.
During I was there during the summer. Through You have to go through that door.
durante Yo estuve allí durante el verano. a través Debes ir a través de esa puerta.
Available all mornings, except 97
Except Fridays. To We’ll go to Rome.
excepto / salvo Disponible todas las mañanas, a (destinación) Iremos a Roma.
excepto los viernes.
 Preposition Example Preposition Example

Toward/towards Let’s go towards the river. With I go with him.

hacia Vayamos hacia el río. con Voy con él.
Within It should be done within these hours.
Under/underneath The cat is under the table.
dentro de Debe ser hecho dentro de este espacio de
debajo de El gato está debajo de la mesa.
(distancia/ tiempo) tiempo.
Until Open until 10 p.m. Without He did it without thinking.
hasta Abierto hasta las 10 p.m. sin Lo hizo sin pensar.

Listen to the list of prepositions in English.

Vocabulary practice exercise

Translate the following sentences:

1 ¿Acerca de qué es este libro? (¿De qué va este libro?)

2 Me gusta caminar a lo largo de la playa.

3 El banco está cruzando la calle.

4 Él está detrás de mí.

5 No lo vi (a él) durante el invierno.

6 Me gustaría comer fruta en lugar de cenar.

7 El gato se metió en la caja (movimiento de entrar- meterse: get).

8 Te quiero desde que te vi por primera vez.

9 Mi padre no es como yo.

10 Vamos hacia ese camino.

Reading
Super powerful rice cooker LXP warranty

The super powerful rice cooker uses cutting–edge LXP has a three year warranty for this appliance
technology and is designed for domestic and which should commence from the original date of
professional use. purchase at retail.
It can only be used on flat and clean surfaces. If the appliance exhibits a defect,
LXP will repair or replace it without
You shouldn’t use the appliance without reading
charging for parts and labour. You
the instructions first.
must bring in or ship the product,
Electric shocks may occur if the plug makes contact prepaid and insured, to an authorised
with water. LXP Service Center. You might
be required to prove the
Should you have any questions regarding the
date of original purchase so
operating instructions, you can call us on 922 33
you should bring or attach
45878, between 9.00 and 16.00 weekdays, or write
98 to customer services at lxpclientservice@mail.
the receipt of purchase.
com.
 Vocabulary
Rice cooker (n.): máquina que cocina arroz Purchase at retail (n.): compra en tienda.
(arrocera). Exhibit (v.): mostrar.
Cutting –edge technology (adj.): tecnología Repair (v.): reparar, arreglar.
innovadora. Replace parts (v.): sustituir las piezas.
Designed (adj.): adecuado. Labour (v.): mano de obra.
Flat (adj.): plano. Bring in (v.): llevar.
Appliance (n.): aparato. Ship (v.): enviar, transportar.
Electric shock (n.): shock eléctrico. Insure (v.): asegurar.
Plug (n.): enchufe. Be required (v.): ser requerido.
Warranty (n.): garantía. Original purchase (n.): compra-venta original.

Reading comprehension 5. Can you contact someone 8. Are repairs free of charge?
if you need help when using A. Yes.
the product? B. No.
Read the text and answer the questions. A. Yes.
B. No.
9. Will you have to pay if
1. Can you use the rice 3. Is it necessary to read the 6. Is there a time limitation the product is not insured?
cooker at home? instructions before using it? fixed to the warranty? A. Yes.
A. Yes. A. Yes. A. Yes. B. No.
B. No. B. No. B. No.
10. How can you prove date
2. Should you keep it on an 4. What must you do to 7. Will LXP fix the product if of purchase?
uneven surface? avoid an electric shock? any faults are found? A. Showing the product.
A. Yes. A. Keep the plug dry. A. Yes. B. Showing the receipt.
B. No. B. Wear rubber soled shoes. B. No.

Listening
Listening comprehension
Listen to the conversation
and answer the questions.

1. What colour is the first shirt?

A. Green.
B. Grey.
5. What does the friend recommend 8. What does the friend say a short
2. Does he think the first colour is when buying shoes for work? haircut reflects?
suitable for his friend? A. Choose something dynamic. A. Control and discipline.
A. Yes. B. Choose something comfortable. B. Control and dedication.
B. No.
6. How could the wrong shoe impact 9. Who says body language and
3. Why does he recommend buying work? personal presentation are important in
the same shirt in different colours? A. Upset your boss. business?
A. Because the style suits her. B. Makes you feel less confident. A. Human research.
B. Because it’s cheap. B. Human resource.
7. What does the friend hate people
4. What shoe options are given? doing with their hair? 10. How much of a role do they play?
A. A heel or a flat. A. Cutting it severely. A. A little one.
B. A heel or a sandal. B. Playing with it. B. A significant one.
99

Watch a video about two people using modal verbs in a conversation.

 Writing & recording
Text organisation
Your English teacher has asked you to write a short story. The title of your story should be: Why should I go to
Paris and not Lisa? Try to use modal verbs whenever possible. Read this example:

Why should I go to Paris and not Lisa?

®® Introduction: A week ago, Lisa and I
participated in a raffle to raise money to build a
new school in our neighbourhood.

®® Description of main events: Lisa and I went

to the raffle on Saturday morning. It was very
exciting as there were many good prizes like,
an IPAD. A lot of people participated, I think
about 200. Everything was okay until Lisa won
the first prize: 3 days in Paris in a five-star hotel.

®® Your feelings: I thought it was very unfair.

I should go to Paris and not Lisa because I
bought the tickets to participate in the raffle
and gave one to her. Besides, Lisa was in Paris
last year and I have never been there.

®® Conclusion: If there is a raffle next year, I’ll make

sure I go alone.

Watch a video about text organisation.

Vocabulary
Raffle (n.): rifa.
Raise (v.): recaudar.
To build (v.): construir.
Neighbourhood (n.): vecindario, barrio.
Exciting (adj.): emocionante.
Prize(s) (n.): premios.
Unfair (adj.): injusto.
I have never been there: yo nunca
he estado allí.
To make sure (v.): asegurarse.

Follow this order:

®® Introduction: You should mention who did what, when and where.
®® Description of the main events: You should say what is happening or
happened.
®® Description of your feelings: You should express how you feel or felt
100 about the events.
®® Closing: You should write a final paragraph with a conclusion.
Now you write
Instructions:

Your English teacher has asked you to write a short story (about 100 words). Organise your text following the
order stated above. The title of your story will be: 'Why should my sister earn more money than I do?' Try to
use modal verbs whenever is possible. Compare your text to this example:

Why should my sister earn more money than I do?

My sister studied for about 10 years to become a doctor. I studied for 5 years to become a nurse. About two
years ago I sent my CV to a Hospital in Birmingham. I went there for an interview. I was lucky and I got the
job. At the beginning my salary was about 1 500 Euros. Now it has increased to almost 3 000 Euros.

Meanwhile my sister is working as an intern in a public hospital in our hometown and earning about 1 500
Euros. She is older than me and she earns the same as I did when I started working three years ago. The
problem is that in our city doctors don’t earn much. After studying so many years I think she should earn at
least what I earn. I would like to help her, but it’s not possible.
On the other hand, she has a home near my parents, and I’m Vocabulary
far away from home and I don’t have so many friends nearby.
Be lucky (v.): tener suerte.
Next time I go back home I will ask her to apply for a job in Meanwhile: mientras tanto.
my hospital in Birmingham. Perhaps she will get lucky too. Intern: becario, persona en prácticas en
una empresa.

Describe a photo
Look at the following picture and describe it. Record your description and send it to your teacher. The recording
must be, at least, one minute.

101
Important: use the Useful Language worksheet and the vocabulary and grammar already studied in the course
to help you.