Modals, DAV English Practise Book, Class VII, The Best Solutions

Worksheet-1

Read the following sentences. Can you say what is the significance of the underlined words in each sentence?

1. That bag is very small. You may carry it on the plane as hand baggage.
2. Could you shut the door, please?
3. You ought to make amends for your bad behaviour.
4. If you talk, you will get punished.

The underlined words are modals.

Words that express attitudes like permission, request, suggestion, advice, threat, etc., are called modals.

The table below contains modals. Put a tick (√) against the modals used in each of the attitudes suggested above. One has been done for you.

Worksheet-2

Work with your partner. Re-write the sentences using the modals indicated along with each sentence. One example is given to help you.

1. Do not come out of the house till it stops raining. (must)

You must not come out of the house till it stops raining.

2. It will be good if you respect your parents. (should)

You should respect your parents.

3. No smoking. (can)

You can’t smoke.

4. Finish the work tonight and get the weekend off. (must)

You must finish the work tonight and get the weekend off.

5. It’s a horror movie. Children below sixteen not allowed. (can)

Children below sixteen can’t watch this horror movie.

6. Say that once more and you are going to be in trouble. (shall)

Say that once more and you shall be in trouble.

7. The hotel restaurant is not open to non-residents. (can)

Non-residents can’t use the hotel restaurant.

8. It is your friend’s birthday. Give her a card. (should)

You should give her a card

9. A driving licence only if you are above eighteen. (can)

You can get a driving licence only if you are above eighteen.

Worksheet-3

Read these sentences. Write (a), (b), (c) or (d) against each in the space provided. One has been done as an example.

(a) asking or giving permission

(b) making a request

(c) making a suggestion or giving advice

(d) making a threat

1. May I speak to you for a minute? (a)
2. You ought to keep your house locked. (c)
3. Would you mind if I switch off the fan? (b)
4. Do that again and I will tell the teacher. (d)
5. That’s a place you ought to visit. (c)
6. Can someone tell me the time? (a)
7. Stop chewing that pencil or I will take it away. (d)
8. Could you lend me your pen? (b)
9. I wonder if you could show me these photos. (b)
10. Can we go inside the hall? (a)

Worksheet-4

Work with your partner. Write down what should be said in the following situations using appropriate modals. One example has been done for you.

1. A student wants to enter the Principal’s office.

Student: May I come in, Sir?

2. You want to borrow a CD from your friend.

You: Could I borrow your CD, please?

3. Sheela wants to ask her mother to allow her to go out for a movie with her friends.

Sheela: May I go out for a movie with my friends, Mom?

4. Ranveer wants to sit down but needs the teacher’s permission to do so.

Ranveer: May I sit down, ma’am?

5. The sailor wants to smoke in the mess.

Sailor: May I smoke in the mess?

6. The students of Class-XI and Class-XII have not got the permission to bring vehicles to school.

They must not bring vehicles to school.

Worksheet-5

Change the following orders into requests using appropriate modals. One has been done as an example.

1. Make a phone call to my office.

Would you make a phone call to my office, please?

2. Stop making a noise in the corridor.

Would you stop making a noise in the corridor, please?

3. Post these letters today.

Would you post these letters today, please?

4. She is not feeling well. Call the doctor.

Would you call the doctor, please?

5. Pass the salt.

Would you pass the salt, please?

6. Drop me at my school on your way to the office.

Would you drop me at my school on your way to the office, please?

7. Get my dress from the tailor.

Would you get my dress from the tailor, please?

Worksheet-6

Work with your partner. Read the given situations and think of the advice/ suggestion you would give. Use the phrases in the Aid Box to build up your suggestion/advice. One example has been given.

AID BOX

a break, apologise, recover completely, proper walking shoes, a sweater, request father, a notice on the notice board

1. Your sister is unwell. She wants to go to school.

You should take rest till you have recovered completely.

2. Your friend is going on a trek.

You should wear proper walking shoes.

3. A friend in the neighbourhood has missed her school bus.

She should request her father to drop her.

4. Your brother has been studying very hard.

You should take a break.

5. Veena is going on a trip to a hill station.

She should carry a sweater.

6. You have lost your English book.

You should put a notice on the notice board.

7. Your friend has broken his mother’s expensive vase.

He should apologise to his mother.

Worksheet-7

Work with you partner. Go back to the time you were three to six years old. Think of the naughty things you did. Now think of the warning/threat you received each time. One has been done as an example.

Situation 1: When I was three I ate my mother’s lipstick.

My mother said: Next time you touch my lipsticks, I’ll thrash you.

Situation 2: I tore pages from my sister’s book.
My sister said: Do that again and I’ll hide your storybook.

Situation 3: I painted on the wall with a crayon.
My mother said: If you draw on the walls again, I’ll take away your crayons.

Situation 4: I spilled milk on the carpet.
My father said: Next time you do this, you’ll clean it up yourself.

Situation 5: I cut my own hair with scissors.
My mother said: If you touch the scissors again, I’ll lock them away forever.

Worksheet-8

Imagine you are Aman’s father, who receives the following letter from Aman. Aman has taken up his first job assignment in a new city. He seems to be having a difficult time.

Park Lane

Prett City

July 28, 20

Dear Dad

Thanks for your letter asking me how I am. Well, I’m trying very hard to get adjusted to the new job and the new city.

The job is okay but my boss isn’t quite so. He is very demanding and I usually have to work till late in the evenings. I can never go out because I’m held up in the office. Even my seniors aren’t quite friendly or helpful. Besides, I’ve developed some problems with my teeth. I have a swollen gum. It pains a lot and, as a result, I have not been eating properly. Now I feel weak.

If you think it proper, can I take leave and come home for a few days? I’m really homesick. Moreover, can I shift my residence to a place nearer to my office? At least I can get home half an hour earlier than I do now.

Please do write back soon.

With love

Your son

Aman

Worksheet-9

Now write a letter to Aman making suggestions and offering help to ease out the situation. Grant him permission to do the things he has asked your permission for. Also warn him against the dangers he might face if he neglects his healt especially his teeth.

245, Big Street
Tinal City
August 1, 20xx

Dear Aman,

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a tough time adjusting to your new job and surroundings. It takes time, but I’m sure you’ll settle in soon.

Yes, you may take leave and come home for a few days. Some rest and familiar company will certainly help. Also, you may shift your residence to a place closer to the office. A shorter commute will surely help reduce stress.

However, I must warn you not to ignore your health, especially your teeth. A swollen gum can lead to serious problems. You should see a dentist immediately and follow all the instructions carefully.

Take care of yourself. Write back soon.

With love,
Dad

Worksheet-10

Read these sentences. Note the use of the semi-colon (:).

1. The room was stuffy; she opened the windows.
2. The man is not poor; he is just a miser.

In Sentence 1, the first clause states the reason and the second the result.

In Sentence 2, the two ideas expressed by the two clauses on either side of the semi-colon are closely connected.

Note that the clause after the semi-colon begins with a small letter only. Usually a semi- colon comes at the place of a linker.

e.g. you would otherwise say:

1. The room was stuffy so she opened the windows.
2. The man is not poor but he is just a miser.

Worksheet-11

Punctuate these sentences using a semi-colon at the appropriate place.

He is a farmer; he gets up early.

You’d better wear your jacket; you’ll catch a cold.

He had to look for a job; he was left with no money.

Sheela loves music; her brother hates it.

Take this medicine; you’ll feel better.

There is nothing wrong with the meal; it’s just cold.

Her mother is a doctor; her father runs a business.

Children grow fast when they are 11 to 12 years old; they need more protein.

DO IT YOURSELF

1. Complete the following passage by writing a suitable word/words in each blank. The first one has been done as an example.

‘Hi, I am your class-mate. Since I’m new here, could you guide me on certain things about the school rules?’

Sure! You must reach the school latest by 7.55 a.m.
You must be in your school uniform.
You may have your hair long or keep it short, but if it’s long, you must make two plaits.
You must do your homework assignments regularly.
You should take leave by seeking permission in advance.
In case you are ill, your application must be submitted on joining school.
Unit tests are held every Wednesday. Don’t miss any. If you do, you will get a zero unless you have been ill and submit a medical certificate.
The school gets over at 2.00 p.m. If you live far away, you can use the school bus after putting in an application.
Lastly, you must follow instructions to keep out of trouble.

2. Complete the following dialogue between a son and his father in any suitable way. One sentence has been written as an example.

Father: You’ve had far too many parties. Now, I think, you must prepare for your exams next month.
Father: Your unit test results weren’t very encouraging. If I were you, I would skip the party and study.
Father: If you had been regular in your studies, you could have performed well despite falling ill.
Father: No, I’m afraid you may not go to the party.
Father: If you go to the party, you’ll lose my trust.