UNIT III: Modals Used for Speculations and Assumptions

Assumptions: will/ should/ must/ can’t/ couldn’t

Ex. 1 Fill in the gaps with ‘will’, ‘won't’, ‘must’, ‘can't’, or ‘should’,and an appropriate infinitive to express assumptions.

- OK. Don't worry about the phone. I'll answer it. It............. (be) David ringing me about tonight's meeting. Hello. 37885.

- Hello John. It's David. I tried ringing you earlier, but I got no reply. You.................... (be) out.

- I haven't been out all morning. You …. (get) the right number. Never mind. What about the meeting? How many people can we expect?

- There ……... (be) quite a few judging by the number of enquiries we've been having. One thing's worrying me. I haven't heard from the speaker, Joan Bakewell. I'm sure she....................... (forget), but it isn't like her not to get in touch. Shall I give her a ring?

- Not now, no. She …………. (teach). You'd better wait an hour or so.

- I've bought twenty bottles of wine for the party afterwards. That........................ (be) enough, don't you think?

- Yes, plenty. I'll see you later, then. Bye.

Ex. 2 Use ‘should’ to criticize and ‘must’ to make a logical assumption. E.g.: He shouldn’t have driven so fast. (не слід було) He must have been in a hurry.(напевно)

1. Harry arrived ten minutes late for his driving test.

2. He shook his fist at a traffic warden. 3. He drove through a red traffic light.

4. He asked silly questions. 5. He went the wrong way up a one-way street.

6. He parked on double yellow lines. 7. He tried to bribe the examiner.