Modals of deduction

1.

2. Modals of deduction

We use the modal verbs
might, may and could + an infinitive
form without to when we think it is
possible that something is true.
We use must when we are sure it is true
and can’t when we are sure it isn’t true.

3. 'intonation'

If you stress may, might or could it
sounds less probable.
• It could be mango juice. (less likely)
• It could be mango juice. (more likely)

4.

We also use may/might + be + -ing for
something happening right now or a
possible future arrangement.
• That might be Mum phoning from Bali.
• She might be going to Australia.

5.

If you are talking about possibility in the
past you need the modal + have + past
participle.
• She might have taken those photos in
China.
• I may have thrown it away by mistake.

6.

We don’t use could not to express
probability in the present and future.
• I couldn’t go to the match tomorrow.

7. TASK 1

Look at the picture. There's someone at the door. The
Old Man goes to the door and opens it. What does he
see? Use modals of deduction.
• He may / could / must be …
• It can be a postman,
but I’m not sure…

8. TASK 2

• When the old man opens the door, a little girl stands
there. What could the little girl say to the old man?
Fill the speech bubble.

9. TASK 3

What will happen next? What will happen
with the girl and the cat? Try to guess the end
of the film.
• The Old Man could be…
• The little girl might not be…

10. TASK 4

This is a silent film. What would the characters say in
this scene if they could speak? Fill the speech bubbles.

11. TASK 5

Describe the main characters. Match the suitable
adjectives.
Nice, funny, nut, strict, wise, unpleasant, pretty, friendly,
nasty, cooperative, weirdo, sympathetic, heartless ,
stupid, cute, mean.

12. ANSWERS

Nice, funny, wise,
pretty, friendly,
cooperative,
sympathetic, cute.
Strict, unpleasant,
nasty, weirdo, heartles
mean, stupid, nut.

13. TASK 6

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Suddenly someone rings at the door. The man opens the door.
There is a strange machine on the old man’s desk.
The old man’s making something with the machine and suddenly a cat’s
shade appears in the door.
When the girl sees her cat’s picture with a cross, she understands what
has happened.
1
An old man sits in a big space in which many strings of the cover hang.
A little girl is there. The girl looks for her cat.
The girl runs happily outward to his cat.
When a picture of a person or an animal appears, the old man cuts off a
string with the same picture.
The girl would want that the man brings back to life her cat again.
The girl bumps into the space and mixes up everything.

14. ANSWERS

4
Suddenly someone rings at the door. The man opens the door.
2
There is a strange machine on the old man’s desk.
9
The old man’s making something with the machine and suddenly a cat’s
shade appears in the door.
7
When the girl sees her cat’s picture with a cross, she understands what
has happened.
1
An old man sits in a big room in which many strings of the cover hang.
5
A little girl is there. The girl looks for her cat.
10
The girl runs happily outward to his cat.
3
When a picture of a person or an animal appears, the old man cuts off a
string with the same picture.
8
The girl wants that the man brings back to life her cat again.
6
The girl bumps into the space and mixes up everything.

15. TASK 6

The girl has run again outward to her cat. What
do you think the old man is doing now?
Complement both sentences.
• I believe, the old man may come….
• The old man might not make…..
Watch now the film to an end. Was the end in such a way, as have
you thought?

16. TASK 8

In the end the old man takes the scythe and goes
outward to mow the grass. What does he think now?
Write an internal monologue. Use the following
phrases:
1. He may/might/ could be doing smth,
because…
2. He can’t be doing smth, because…
3. He must be doing smth, because…