A1 Review — Modals & Prepositions: Advice, Duties, Time & Place
A1 — grammar, listening, reading, writing
Common mistake: “I must to clean my room on Saturday.” — Correct: “I must clean my room on Saturday.”
Modals say what we can do, must do and should do; prepositions say where and when — together they organize real life.
modals — the map
Modal
Use
Example
can
ability
She can swim
must
duty
I must clean
have to
obligation
He has to work
should
advice
You should rest
would like
wish
I'd like to travel
Sofía can swim very well, but she can't sing.
Ben has to work on Monday at nine in the morning.
You should visit Cartagena in December.
I must clean my room on Saturday.
Kenji would like to live in Medellín.
The keys are on the table, under your notebook.
Practice
Sofía ___ swim very well. (can, cans, can to)
Ben has to work ___ Monday. (on, in, at)
You ___ visit Cartagena in December. (should, should to, must to)
'She cans dance' is correct.
We use 'at' with exact times, like 'at 7 o'clock'.
Kenji would like ___ visit Japan with Sofía.
The keys are ___ the table.
Carmen has ___ take her medicine at eight.
Unscramble: must, I, room, clean, my
Unscramble: can, the, meet, We, at, park
Find the mistake: Kenji can to speak three languages.
Find the mistake: The meeting is in Monday at the morning.
Find the mistake: You should eats more vegetables.
I clean the kitchen. — Add obligation with 'must'.
She works on Saturdays. — Make it an obligation with 'has to'.
You should arrive late. — Write the opposite advice (early).
What can you do very well? (I can...)
What time do you have to start work or school? (I have to start at...)
Listening
Ben: Carmen, I have a job interview on Friday. Any advice?
Carmen: Of course. You should arrive early — at least fifteen minutes before.
Ben: I know, I know. I always have to run because I get up late.
Carmen: Then you must change your alarm, Ben. And you should wear the blue shirt.
Ben: Can I wear my boots?
Carmen: No, you can't! Put them under the bed and forget them.
Reading
Carmen's house has rules, and everyone knows them. You must take off your shoes at the door. You have to wash your cup after coffee. You shouldn't touch the plants on the balcony — they are her babies. But there are nice rules too: you can dance in the kitchen, you can stay for dinner on Sundays, and you should always ask for a second arepa, because it makes her happy. Kenji would like to live there forever.