Respond to a Scenario
How would you ask your professor for an extension on your assignment in the politest way possible?
May I please have an extension on the assignment?
Could/Would you please give me an extension?
A: I want to hang out with you this weekend. What do you want to do?
B: _____________
(many answers possible)
Let's go / Why don't we go to the zoo?
We should /could go to the zoo.
Shall we go to the zoo?
I wish I could to visit you this weekend, but I'm too busy.
I wish I could visit you...
I wish I were able to visit you...
What's the difference between I can speak Arabic and I could speak Arabic when I lived in Morocco?
can = present ability (true)
could = past ability (no longer true)
I have a job interview next week. Give me 2 suggestions for how to prepare. Use a different modal in each suggestion!
(many answers possible)
You had better arrive early!
You should practice answering common questions.
A: Do you know what classes are required for an engineering student?
B: Yes, _____________
You must take / have to take...
Last week, Maya could do well on her exam.
Last week, Maya did well on her exam. (don't use "could" to describe 1 action/situation in the past)
Give the present, past, and progressive forms of should + any verb
should study
should have studied
should be studying / should have been studying
Make a prediction about something that will happen (in your life, in the world) in 2026. Provide a reason that explains how certain you are about the prediction.
(many answers possible)
AI might control the world in 2026 because it is developing so quickly (but is also still kind of dumb).
A: Do you know where our professor's office is?
B: _____________, but I'm not sure.
It may/might/could be in Helen C. White, but...
Would you mind turn down your music? It's too loud.
Would you mind turning down...?
What modals do we use to express:
100% certainty (1 example)
95% certainty (1 example)
50% certainty (2 examples)
100% = simple present/past, will
95% = must, should, ought to
50% = may, might, could
Describe something you did often/regularly when you were a kid. Then, describe 1 thing you only did once as a kid. (2 separate sentences needed)
(many answers possible)
When I was a kid, I would fight/used to fight with my brother all the time.
When I was a kid, I went to Disney World only once.
A: Why is Pratik so angry with you today?
B: _____________, but I forgot.
I was supposed to have breakfast with him this morning, but...
Akira isn't answering his phone. He must study right now.
He must be studying right now.
Live in 1 city for the rest of your life OR Move to a new city every 5 years? Explain which you would prefer and why, using the correct modal.
I would rather move every 5 years because...
Carmen copied her friend's paper last week and got caught. Now, she might fail the class. Give 3 pieces of advice about how she could have avoided this situation. Use different modals in each sentence.
(many answers possible)
Carmen should have asked the professor for help if she needed it.
Carmen could have managed her time better.
Carmen ought to have been honest about her mistake.
A: That exam was so hard! I think I failed :(
B: _____________
(many answers possible)
You must not have studied enough.
You should/could have studied more.
You shouldn't get here so quickly -- were you speeding?
You shouldn't have gotten here so quickly.
Your friend is about to make a bad decision. Give them advice and warn them about what will happen if they make the bad decision. (There is only 1 correct modal for this!)
You had better listen to me, or you will die!