Aims: w ords describing fam ilies and relationships • m odal verbs • Structuring paragraphs and essays • Structuring a Task 2 opinion essay Part 1: Language development Howard Susan

needs to 
study hard for this. She plays on her 
com puter quite a lot, which she 
shouldn't 
do. I think she 
should
study more. She is clever. I think she 
might 
be a doctor.
1 ........... ,V¥k4.......... - used to talk about something expected in the future
2 .............................
/h a v e t o / need to -
used to say what is necessary
3 ............................. - used to say something is a good idea
4 ............................. - used to say something isn't a good idea
5 ............................. - used to say it isn't necessary to do something
6 ............................. /
can / could -
used to say what is possible
7 .............................- used to say what isn't necessary
3
 
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct modal and semi-modal verbs from
sentences 1 -7 in Exercise 2.
1
It is a good idea for children to respect their parents.
£ h ^ ?! 
p. 
[
?!. 
t h 
tiy
i/yts....
2
I plan to go to university in the future.
3 
It is not a good idea for parents to smoke near their children.
4
It is possible that children will have lessons on the Internet in the future.
5
It is necessary for all children to be taught basic skills like maths and reading.
4
 
Use modal and semi-modal verbs to give your opinions about events in the future. Should
/
shouldn’t , can, m ight and could are less definite than will, need to, m ust and have to. Compare:
Children who disobey their parents will be punished. (=
a definite future action)
Children who disobey their parents should be punished.
(= a suggestion)
Children who disobey their parents might be punished. (=
a possibility)