Exercises

Exercise 1

Translate the following sentences, analyze the verb should. State where it is an auxiliary verb (forming the conditional mood), where it is a modal verb (name the meaning of the modal verb) and where it is the part of a modal phrase expressing unreality.

1. Why shouldn’t he have said so if he meant it.

2. Strange that you shouldn’t have noticed anything out of the way.

3. He knew perfectly well that he should not have done it but he would not admit it.

4. This heat wave should last till the end of May at least.

5. But for these words I should have given in.

6. The more I thought the less I liked her idea that we should take Ethel’s money.

7. You really should try harder. You don’t seem to make any progress.

8. They should not allow young children to take part in the contest.

9. I wonder what I should have done but for her advice.

10. I should come too if it was not for the children.

11. I wonder why you never asked me. I should have told you all the facts.

12. Why should it be always me?

13. It was arranged that mother should come over for a long visit and look after them.

14. You should wear the hat a little lower over your eyes.

15. The picture should look very nice here where the light would fall on it.

16. I did not know he was in London or I should have come over to see him.

17. You shouldn’t wear sports clothes with high-heeled shoes. It doesn’t look right.

18. Nothing should have been touched.

19. Her suggestion was that we should do it in turns, boys and girls alike.

20. You should make up your mind one way or the other and stop wasting your time.

Exercise 2

Comment on the use of the modal verbs shall / should and ought to.

1. Don’t worry, you shall have a minute’s rest before the meeting begins.

2. Don’t get excited over such trifles. You shall catch up with the group in no time. I’ll help you.

3. If you are interested in the book so much, you shall be given it, I’m sure.

4. “You shall be sorry, Helen, if you don’t stop cutting lectures.”

5. You show very little interest in most of the subjects. You shall be ashamed of your ignorance later on.

6. Shall I help you to carry the books? They seem to be very heavy.

7. She pointed to the gramophone: “Shall I show you how to work it?”

8. Shall I pull the blinds down?

9. I think we should leave this young man behind.

10. You should look after your grandparents better.

11. He shouldn’t have taken the corner at such speed.

12. You should pass the exam. You’ve worked hard.

13. The porter saw him. He should be somewhere here.

14. It ought to rain a little later in the day.

15. If she goes to hospital for some treatment now and then to a sanatorium, it ought to be quite all right.

16. Why should he obey an order given him by a perfect stranger?

17. Why should he say so if he doesn’t mean it?

Exercise 3

Change the following statements into promises, warnings, threats by using shall+ infinitive. Report them in indirect speech.

1. He will catch pneumonia one of these days, walking bare-headed in the rain the way he does.

2. You will be perfectly all right. I’ll look after you.

3. You will remember these words. And quite soon at that.

4. Things will right themselves. Just take them easy.

5. She will be well in no time. She’s as strong as a horse.

6. You will get a wonderful time. See if you don’t.

7. He will pay you back sooner or later for what you did to him.

8. You will be hungry if you don’t eat anything now.

9. You will drive a car as soon as we get out of town.

Exercise 4

Advise somebody to do or not to do the actions named below.

Model: to wear a sweater – You should wear a sweater.

1. to take better care of one’s health;

2. to take more pains with your Latin;

3. not to talk and laugh loudly in public;

4. to go and see smth for oneself;

5. to eat more fruit;

6. not to smoke while eating;

7. not to read such trash;

8. to buy a really good dictionary;

9. to go and see the picture;

10. not to waste one’s time watching television evening after evening.

Exercise 5

Give advice in answer to the following statements. Use the word-combinations in brackets.

Model: I have such a headache. (to take an aspirin and go to bed) – You should take an aspirin and go to bed.

1. My feet are killing me. (not to wear such high heels)

2. I’ve been sleeping badly of late. (to take a walk last thing in the evening)

3. She’s grown out of this dress too. ( to let it out at the hem)

4. I have a slight irritation in my throat. (to smoke less)

5. They are making spelling mistakes. (to make somebody copy passages out of a book)

6. It is so hard to make him get up in the morning. (not to let smb watch television till all hours)

7. She never has any appetite. (not to give smb sweets)

8. The secretary must be out. There’s no one there. (to try the room next door)

9. She may have forgotten her promise. (to phone and remind her)

10. The students seemed unable to follow what he was saying. (not to speak so fast)

Exercise 6

Translate the following sentences. State in what meaning the modal verb shall is used. Give the Ukrainian equivalent.

1. Anyone found smoking on the premises shall be heavily fined.

2. Why should he have taken your word for it?

3. You shouldn’t have acted so rashly.

4. Shall I tell you all about it now?

5. The weather should be just right over there. August is always very sunny in the hills.

6. You shouldn’t promise things and then go back on your word.

7. Where shall I wait for you?

8. Why should you mind if I don’t?

9. You shall lose your looks before you are thirty if you go on eating sweets like that.

10. He should have written to explain why he wasn’t coming.

11. Nothing should have been done without him.

12. You shouldn’t say things behind people’s backs.

13. He should do well in this job. It’s just in his line.

14. She should know what she is speaking about. She’s quite an authority on the subject.

Exercise 7

Put should or shouldn’t in the spaces. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian. Watch the meaning of should / shouldn’t.

1. You _____ argue with your father; you _____ obey him.

2. Mothers ____ look after their children.

3. What are you doing here? You _____ be in bed. It’s very late.

4. That hat doesn’t suit you; you ______ buy another.

5. There are too many accidents. Everyone _____ be much more careful.

6. The teacher told us that we ______ write the meanings of new words in our notebooks.

7. Tom was often late and his father told him that he _____ wake up earlier.

8. She told her children that they _______ always say “Please” and “Thank you”.

9. The old man’s eyes are weak, and he ______ read without glasses.

Exercise 8

Study the following chart. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

“Should” + Non-perfect infinitive “Should” + Perfect infinitive

(the meaning of moral obligation, (the meaning of criticism of a past action,

advice, disapproval) disapproval, reproach, regret)

1. A man should help his parents when 1. She felt unwell yesterday;

become old. she shouldn’t have gone to the Institute.

2. He hasn’t got very good eyesight; 2. You can’t remember what he said;

he should sit in front of the class you should have listened more

near the blackboard. carefully.

3. You shouldn’t treat her like this. 3. She went out and got caught in the rain; she should have taken an umbrella with her.

Open the brackets using the correct form of the infinitive. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. I should (to send) him a birthday card, but I forgot to…

2. It’s three o’clock and I’m very hungry; I should (to eat) more for lunch.

3. The little boy was playing with his father’s typewriter and of course he broke it; he shouldn’t (to allow) to play with it.

4. The old man ran to catch the bus, although he had a weak heart; he shouldn’t (to run).

5. He didn’t mean to be rude; you shouldn’t (to be) so angry with him yesterday.

6. I was very tired last summer and I should (to take) a holiday, but there was too much work to do.

7. When he went into his bedroom, he found it icy cold; he shouldn’t (to leave) the windows open.

8. The workmen are very slow; the job should (to finish) a week ago.

9. To someone who wasn’t at the party: “We had a wonderful time; you should (to be) there.

10. You shouldn’t (to go) out yesterday without a coat. No wonder you caught a cold.

11. You should (to cross) the road by the subway (but you didn’t).

12. He should (to check) that his brakes were working perfectly (but he didn’t).

13. He should (to thank) us (we are offended that he didn’t).

14. You should (to warn) him that the ice was dangerous (but you didn’t).

15. Tom’s had another accident. He came out of the side road rather fast and a lorry crashed into him. It sounds like Tom’s fault. He should (to wait) till the main road was clear.

Exercise 9

Criticize the actions named in the sentences below.

Model: I took him to the pictures.

You shouldn’t have taken him to the pictures.

1. I’m not feeling well. It’s probably the fish I ate for lunch.

2. I never thought to leave a message for her.

3. He didn’t explain to me how to work the thing.

4. I can’t think now why I bought these red shoes.

5. We didn’t wait for them. It was beginning to rain.

6. I handed in my paper without rereading what I had written. I was afraid to.

7. She may not come. I forgot to remind her of her promise.

8. I was so busy that time. I did not see the film.

9. She was so cross, she was downright rude to me.

10. We did not feel like going anywhere. We just stayed at home.

Exercise 10

Change the following expressions of advice into criticism of a past action by changing the form of the infinitive.

Model: You shouldn’t say such things.-You shouldn’t have said such things.

1. You should try again.

2. He should speak to her about it.

3. They should keep that dog chained.

4. You shouldn’t eat starchy foods.

5. She should not go out in such weather.

6. You shouldn’t buy a hat which does not go with anything else you’ve got.

7. You should switch off the lights when you go out.

8. He should not forget to take his medicine.

9. You should spend more time out of doors.

10. Her mother should not let her read such trash.

Exercise 11

Give your friend a piece of advice. Use the appropriate modal verb. Expand on the statements. Make use of the prompts.

Model: You should go and see the new French film. It’s brilliant. The cast is splendid.

• Watch a film;

• Read a book;

• Go to the theatre;

• Have a little rest;

• Consult a dictionary;

• Listen to classical music;

• Help his / her parents;

• Take a book from the library;

• Go in for sports;

• Study foreign languages;

• Not to spend much time watching TV.

Exercise 12

Express indignation, irritation using the verb ‘should’. Make up responses to these questions. Make use of the prompts.

Model: Why should I do it right now? – They say “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today”.

• Help him;

• Write to her;

• Stay at home;

• Answer his questions;

• Buy this dress / suit;

• Do the work alone;

• Give your money;

• Move to another flat;

• Correct his mistakes;

• Entertain them;

• Arrange the party;

• Sell the car;

• Present her with flowers;

• Follow your advice.

Exercise 13

Express the speaker’s insistence using the verb shall. Provide a natural conversational context for these remarks. Make use of the prompts.

Model: You shall do it as I say. You must obey me without questions.

• Obey the rules;

• Tell the truth;

• Go there right now;

• Give up smoking;

• Break off with a bad crowd;

• Buy a new suit;

• Stay at home;

• Help your parents;

• Invite your relatives to the party;

• Switch off the TV set;

• Get down to work;

• Finish the work by 5 o’clock.

Exercise 14

Make an offer. Use the appropriate modal verb. React to these questions in the appropriate way. Make use of the prompts.

Model: Shall I make you a cup of tea? – If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble.

• Carry your bag;

• Give him a lift;

• Show them the way;

• Show you about the city;

• Drive her home;

• Prepare dinner;

• Entertain the guests;

• Give you a helping hand;

• Open the window;

• Move the chair;

• Switch on the radio;

• Clean your coat;

• Walk the dog;

• Water the flowers.

Exercise 15

Study the problem situations and try to solve them by asking for instructions.

Model: - You are going to the classroom, so is your teacher; she has a lot of books in her hands. What do you say? – Shall I help you to carry the books? They seem to be very heavy.

1. You are preparing for the exam in English, but you can’t concentrate on the subject because of the noise coming out of the room next door. Your friend sees how uncomfortable you feel. What does she suggest?

2. You friend cannot do a grammar exercise. You have already known the right way how to do it. What do you say?

3. You are writing a composition. But the words won’t come. Your teacher sees how hard you are trying to find suitable words. What does he say?

Think of similar problem situations of your own. Act them out.

Exercise 16

Respond to the following statements. Use shall to express warning or threat.

Model: Jane, you are so light-minded. The exams are only a few weeks off and you haven’t done a stroke of work yet. (to fail at the exam) – You shall fail at your exam if you go on like this.

1. Ann, you are very absent-minded at times and inattentive. (To have a lot of gaps in your knowledge)

2. Pete, there is nothing to complain of as far as your behaviour goes. You never talk back. But you are very obstinate sometimes. (to be hard to deal with)

3. Ann, English Grammar seems to come easy to you, but spelling rules just refuse to stick in your head. (to get a bad mark for a dictation)

Go on fulfilling the task in your own way.

Exercise 17

Express promise in the following situations.

Model: I’m dead tired after those exams. (to get a good rest during the holidays) – Keep your chin up. You shall get a good rest during the holidays. I will see to it.

1. I must leave for London for a couple of days, but I think the Dean won’t let me go. (to be allowed, to speak to the Dean myself)

2. Oh, what am I to do? The teacher asked me to fetch some books from the library, but it’s locked. (to be given some books from the English language room, to go there together)

3. Grammar is my weak point. I can’t get the rules straight, much as I try. (to manage it all right, to revise together)

Make up your own problem situations and working in pairs as students A and B respond to them.

Exercise 18

Give advice in answer to the following statements. Use the word combinations in brackets.

Model: I haven’t been sleeping well lately. (to take more exercise) – You should take more exercise.

1. The boy is little pale. (to play out-of-doors)

2. I’m afraid you’ll miss that train. (to take a taxi)

3. There is no one in. (to try the room next door)

4. She may have forgotten all about her promise. (to phone and remind her)

5. I don’t know which hat to take. (to take the one which goes with your coat)

6. I have a slight irritation in my throat. (to smoke less)

7. The child simply won’t eat soup. (not to give her sweets before dinner)

8. She makes a lot of spelling mistakes. (to make her copy passages out of the book)

9. The dog is afraid of him. (not to shout at the dog)

10. The students seemed unable to follow what I was saying. (not to speak so fast)

Exercise 19

Criticize the actions mentioned in the following sentences.

Model: I did not buy the book. – You should have bought it.

1. So I took the child to the pictures.

2. We forgot to leave a message for her.

3. We did not wait for her. It was beginning to rain.

4. I did not think of it before.

5. I did not explain to her how to get there.

6. I bought a pair of red shoes to go with my dress.

7. So I told her to her face what we really think of her wonderful idea.

8. I have not seen the film. I was busy and didn’t go.

9. My fountain pen was leaking, so I wrote in pencil.

10. I’m afraid I ate too much cake with my tea.

Exercise 20

Supply the correct forms of the modal verbs in brackets. Provide an appropriate context for these sentences.

Model: You should try something easier first. This book is very difficult to understand.

1. You (need) not go there. They won’t come back till next week.

2. She (need) to read more if she wanted to pass her exam successfully.

3. He (need) to practice more if he is to improve his playing.

4. (Need) Mary any help?

5. –He was at the theatre.- But he (should) be at school.

6. –I went there alone. – You (should) not do it.

7. You (need) not take your umbrella with you. It is not raining.

8. He (need) a good piece of advice.

9. – He looked unwell. – He (should) consult a doctor.

10. The weather was nasty. You (should) stay at home.

Exercise 21

Put ought to or oughtn’t to in the spaces. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian. Watch the meaning of ought to and oughtn’t to.

1. The policeman told the driver that he _____ drive more carefully.

2. I told the boys that they ______ swim near the bridge, because it was dangerous.

3. My uncle is nearly seventy years old. He is still working but he _____ retire.

4. You ____ keep that book. It doesn’t belong to you.

5. The woman is looking ill. She _____ see a doctor.

6. He is tired. He _____ work so hard.

7. The teacher told Tom that he _____ make so many careless mistakes.

8. The doctor told the fat man that he _____ eat so much.

9. I ______ finish this work today, but I’m very tired.

Exercise 22

Put can, may, must, should, ought to, have to, be able to (or the negative forms) and needn’t in spaces.

1. The doctor said: “The child is very ill. He _____ taken to the hospital at once’.

2. A man ____ help his parents when they become old.

3. There are no buses or taxis, so we _____ walk.

4. Everybody _____ learn a foreign language.

5. We ____ leave without food and water. We _____ eat and drink.

6. I ______ get up early tomorrow, so I _____ go to bed late tonight.

7. You _____ drive a car at night without lights.

8. Tom’s father told him that he ____ ask silly questions,

9. Man _____ live by bread alone.

10. The matter _____ be discussed in tomorrow’s debate.

11. You _____ sit there in your wet clothes; you will catch cold if you do.

12. They ____ do all the exercises; it will be sufficient if they do four of them.

13. You _____ do whatever you like.

14. We ____ go away just yet; our train doesn’t leave for half an hour yet.

15. I ______ read to the end of the story, because I want to see who gets the treasure.

16. Why _____ I go there?

17. She ____ sing quite well.

18. You ____ say anything. Just nod your head and he will understand.

19. _____ I use your phone? – You _____ ask for permission; you _____ use it whenever you like.

20. You _____ leave your dog with us if you don’t want to take him with you.

21. You _____ take a horse to water but you _____ make him drink.

22. The ice is quite thick. We ____ walk on it.

23. If you don’t know the meaning of a word you ____ use a dictionary.

24. He _____ swim very soon.

Exercise 23

Replace the infinitives in brackets by should, must, had to, shall have to + infinitive depending on whether the sentences contain advice, criticism of a past action or a statement of necessity.

1. My sister was taking her examination yesterday and I (to look after) her baby.

2. I (to get up) at half past seven to get to the office in time.

3. You (to wear) a rain-coat. You are wet through.

4. You knew I was bringing people to dinner. You (to bake) a cake.

5. It was my son’s birthday so I (to bake) a cake.

6. They will get hungry on the train. You (to give) them some sandwiches.

7. He couldn’t do his lessons. I (to explain) some things to him. It took me lots of time.

8. You (not to get) so excited. It’s bad for you.

9. There was no kindergarten where they lived and she (to take) the child across the whole city.

10. She was out when I came. I (to go) there tomorrow.

11. You (to give) him more milk to drink. It’s so good for the teeth.

12. The dress is a little too wide. You (to take) it in at the seams.

Exercise 24

Replace the infinitives in brackets by should, need, have + infinitive, depending on whether you give advice, permission not to do something, criticize a past action or state an absence of necessity for the action.

1. You (not to go out) in this rain. You have a bad cold.

2. You (not to go out) today. We have everything we want.

3. You (not to lose one’s temper). It put you automatically in the wrong.

4. You (not to give) all the details. You forgot that you were dealing with well-informed people.

5. It was Sunday and I (not to go) to the office.

6. You (not to tell) her that. Now she won’t sleep.

7. You (not to put) so much sugar into the custard. No one will be able to eat it.

8. You (not to use) any gelatine. Such thick broth jells by itself.

9. It was so warm we (not to wear) our coats. It was very pleasant.

10. You never (to try) to do everything at once. You must plan things.

11. It is so warm there you (not to bring) any woolens.

12. I see now that I (not to worry). There was no danger whatever.

Exercise 25

Read the following extract and comment on the usage of the modal verbs.

In all the books I have read of people cast away on a desert island, they had either pockets full of tools or a chest of things would be thrown upon the beach as if on purpose. My case was very different. What with the cold and hunger, I felt more miserable than words can tell. I stood shivering in the rain, wet and barefoot, and wondered what I could do till it occurred to me that shellfish, of which there were plenty in the island, might be good to eat. I ate them cold and raw; and they seemed to me delicious. They must have poisoned me, for I had no sooner eaten my first meal, than I felt miserably sick and lay for a long time no better than dead.

In fact as long as I was on the island I never could distinguish what particular shellfish it was that hurt me: sometimes the shellfish restored my strength, and sometimes I felt sick for hours.

The second day I explored the entire island. I had to choose a place on a hillside to be my home. I had a good reason for my choice: from there I could distinguish the top of a great ancient church and the roofs of houses on the mainland. It seemed impossible that I should die on the shores of my own country and within view of men’s houses.

(From Kidnapped by R. L. Stevenson)

Exercise 26

Fill in the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Jane didn’t turn up for the meeting. She must _______ (to forget) about it.

2. She might _______ (to stay) at Alison’s house last night, but I’m not sure.

3. Children are ______ (not to eat) in class. It is strictly forbidden.

4. He must _______ (to work) late last night. He looks very tired today.

5. He must _______ (to feel) very tired; he’s been working hard lately.

6. You should ______ (to come) to my birthday party; I was expecting you.

7. She can’t _______ (to be) at home otherwise she would have answered the door.

8. Tom needn’t ______ (to get) up early tomorrow as it is a holiday.

9. We ought to _______ (to be) more polite to her; then she wouldn’t have felt so offended.

10. Liz looks very annoyed. She must ______ (to wait) for ages.

Exercise 27

Work with a partner and do the following quiz.