Hi there. There is a quiz from book "Grammar and vocabulary for First Certificate", preparing for the ESOL First Certificate in English (FCE) (Cambridge University) . It's extracted from one module, devoted to Modals. It implies upper-intermediate level. I hope it would be useful. 
1.
1.
When we were at school we wear a uniform.
2. You fasten during the whole of the flight.
3. You tell her you're sorry.
4. You be a member of the library before you can borrow books.
5. I wear glasses because my eyesight is still quite good.
6. We talk to our partners because it was examination.
7. We ordered so much food as nobody was hungry.
8. She to take any money because her friend was going to pay.
9. When I first came to Madrid I speak only a few words in Spanish.
10. have your hair cut before the interview last week?
2. You fasten during the whole of the flight.
3. You tell her you're sorry.
4. You be a member of the library before you can borrow books.
5. I wear glasses because my eyesight is still quite good.
6. We talk to our partners because it was examination.
7. We ordered so much food as nobody was hungry.
8. She to take any money because her friend was going to pay.
9. When I first came to Madrid I speak only a few words in Spanish.
10. have your hair cut before the interview last week?
I don't agree with the answer on number 3
You've got to in this sentence means the obligation is strong. It is more common sense to think of it as a piece of advice, we don't have context clues to infer strong obligation.
You've got to in this sentence means the obligation is strong. It is more common sense to think of it as a piece of advice, we don't have context clues to infer strong obligation.
Planet HopperI don't agree with the answer on number 3So, I think there is no enough circumstances. Have got to may mean necessity too. Let's wait for natives to explain.
You've got to in this sentence means the obligation is strong. It is more common sense to think of it as a piece of advice, we don't have context clues to infer strong obligation.
Site Hint: Check out our list of pronunciation videos.
I don't think you understood what I meant. Maybe you could read a reply before looking down on anyone here, these places are for debating. More than half of the English speakers in the world are not native, prejudice should stay at home. By the way, I'm Canadian , but, right, I wasn't born one.
The point is: I defend should as the right choice in number 3
I am not asking anyone's place of birth before reading the answer....
, but, right, I wasn't born one.The point is: I defend should as the right choice in number 3
I am not asking anyone's place of birth before reading the answer....
I wasn't going to offence you. I wanted to see other opinions. Indeed, it was the only book which said me that. I agree with you, "should" may be suitable here. It's kind of interesting to know other opinions.
Planet HopperI am not asking anyone's place of birth before reading the answer..I didn't ask your birth's place. Anyway, I don't know what makes you irritate about.
No irritation here.
This FCE stuff is like that, we are all professional here.
The point is:
If you have an alternative pair of modals to distribute and one of them is a term communicatvely marked for something (have to for strong obligation), then, to the absence of a contextual hint, the unmarked term (should, milder obligation) is usually taken as right.
This is the problem with FCE multiple choice, rather often there is not a lot of context in the sentences they supply.
This FCE stuff is like that, we are all professional here.
The point is:
If you have an alternative pair of modals to distribute and one of them is a term communicatvely marked for something (have to for strong obligation), then, to the absence of a contextual hint, the unmarked term (should, milder obligation) is usually taken as right.
This is the problem with FCE multiple choice, rather often there is not a lot of context in the sentences they supply.
Students: Are you brave enough to let our tutors analyse your pronunciation?
#3 could be either one.
#4: You'll often hear "You need to"
For #7, imagine getting a bill in a restaurant for four times the amount it should be. "This isn't our check. We didn't order this. We couldn't have ordered this because none of us was hungry. We had only a round of drinks and a small appetizer to share!" (I agree that "needn't have" is probably more likely but in the US, we'd say "We didn't have to" not "We needn't have.)
#4: You'll often hear "You need to"
For #7, imagine getting a bill in a restaurant for four times the amount it should be. "This isn't our check. We didn't order this. We couldn't have ordered this because none of us was hungry. We had only a round of drinks and a small appetizer to share!" (I agree that "needn't have" is probably more likely but in the US, we'd say "We didn't have to" not "We needn't have.)
Grammar Geek#3 could be either one.
#4: You'll often hear "You need to" Is it more politely?
For #7, imagine getting a bill in a restaurant for four times the amount it should be. "This isn't our check. We didn't order this. We couldn't have ordered this because none of us was hungry. We had only a round of drinks and a small appetizer to share!" (I agree that "needn't have" is probably more likely but in the US, we'd say "We didn't have to" not "We needn't have.)
So, "could have ordered" here acts like part of the Third Conditional and therefore it' was impossible for our bill to be that way. Is it right?
But, "needn't have ordered" expresses that there wasn't a necessity to order something. Yes?
I don't think "need to" is more polite than "must."
You must purchase your transit pass before your board the train. You must purchase your transit pass before you board the train.
You must show the librarian your library card to use the computers. You need to show the librarian...
Same thing, to my mind.
I'm not good with conditionals (first, second, third, I don't know) but you're correct that "You needn't have" = it was not necessary for you to have done that = you didn't have to do that (American)
You must purchase your transit pass before your board the train. You must purchase your transit pass before you board the train.
You must show the librarian your library card to use the computers. You need to show the librarian...
Same thing, to my mind.
I'm not good with conditionals (first, second, third, I don't know) but you're correct that "You needn't have" = it was not necessary for you to have done that = you didn't have to do that (American)
Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises.
Show more