A Workbook to Communicative Grammar of English (31 page)
Read A Workbook to Communicative Grammar of English Online
Authors: Dr. Edward Woods,Rudy Coppieters
Task one ***
Rewrite these examples avoiding
will
/
would
or
shall
and using another verb construction to convey nearly the same meaning. If there are any noticeable differences of meaning, say what they are.
1.
The government will press ahead with the new security bill in spite of strong opposition.
2.
Shall we work together on this new project?
3.
She wouldn’t spend time watching programmes like
Coronation Street
. She considers them to be trivial and no more than a fantasy world.
4.
The chairman won’t postpone the shareholders’ meeting just because the venue is considered to be too small.
5.
They will help you in the garden. They enjoy doing that.
6.
I would put money into it if they could guarantee a minimum return for the investment.
7.
Would you like to be rich and famous like Cliff Richard?
8.
I’d like her to succeed. She’s worked very hard.
9.
The minister won’t admit he was wrong about the Sports stadium.
10.
Ivan would like Tim to teach with him in Hungary.
Task two **
Complete the sentences with an appropriate verb or phrase.
1.
I ………….. help you with your luggage, sir.
2.
He’s very rich and he loves the old art gallery. He ………….. leave a lot of his money to look after the building.
3.
I ………….. this work finished by the week-end.
4.
I ………….. to thank all of you for the contribution you have all made to our success this year.
5.
They ………….. they’d bought the house now, instead of renting.
6.
………….. you’d told me about the problem.
7.
The room’s too small and too noisy. I ………….. another one. There must be somewhere in this hotel where I can rest comfortably.
8.
………….. I get the tickets?
9.
They ………….. stay until the end of the performance, although it doesn’t finish until after midnight.
10.
He’s like that. He ……(always)…….. do everything himself. He never asks for help.
15.6. Permission and obligation
The tasks below examine ways of expressing:
Permission
Obligation
Exemption
Prohibition
Task one **
Identify the meanings expressed in the following sentences by completing the chart below.
1.
If you were a member, you could get in free.
2.
Could I take my holiday at the end of August?
3.
You must return those books by the end of the week.
4.
Children under fourteen should have parental permission to see this film.
5.
If he’s the leader, he should know the way.
6.
You mustn’t walk on the grass.
7.
You can’t park there.
8.
Can I stay overnight? It’s too late to drive back now and I’ve drunk too much.
9.
If you have a season ticket, you don’t need to book a seat in advance.
10.
But you can’t go that day. It’s Joan’s 60th birthday party.
Permission: | |
Hypothetical permission: | |
Obligation or compulsion: | |
Hypothetical obligation: | |
Prohibition: | |
Exemption: | |
Task two **
Below are the rules for a Karate Club. Show what meaning is expressed in each rule with the appropriate letter.
A Permission, B Hypothetical permission, C Obligation, D Hypothetical obligation, E Exemption, F Prohibition
This club is dedicated to the high performance of karate
1.
All members must regularly satisfy the committee that they have maintained the standard they achieved at the previous supervision.
2.
Any member failing to do so will not be allowed to continue without further training.
3.
Members who agree to a prolonged period of supervision will not need to undergo further training, unless there is sign of improvement.
4.
Members may decide what they prefer to do.
5.
The annual two supervisions must be completed within twelve months of the second supervision in the previous year.
6.
If the member of the committee is deemed to be unsympathetic, members do not have to submit themselves for supervision at that time.
7.
Such a refusal must be submitted in writing one week before the supervision.
8.
Members can appeal against the result of supervision.
9.
Members don’t have to undergo periods of supervision, if they are seeking advice from a personal trainer.
10.
Members must not challenge other members who have not reached the same standard.
11.
Each member will carry at all times the card showing the standard he/she has achieved.
12.
This card must be seen by an opponent before a challenge is accepted.
Task three **
You are writing to a friend who is looking for a job as an assistant teacher in Britain. Tell him/her how to do it and how to get the best out of his/her time here. Use the sentence topics in the function boxes below and find an appropriate modal verb to express the function required. Pay attention to the construction of the whole sentence.
Example:
in my opinion – spend some time in Britain – improve your English (obligation)
Answer:
In my opinion, you must spend some time if Britain if you want to improve your English
.
1.
write to head teacher of a school at once. (obligation)
2.
pay your travelling costs to Britain. (obligation)
3.
register with the police. (exemption)
4.
take no disciplinary action yourself – unruly pupils. (prohibition)
5.
take your car to Britain if you want. (permission)
6.
contact anyone you know who has done this before. (permission)
7.
arrive in Britain at least three weeks before the beginning of the term. (obligation)
8.
live more than four miles from the school. (prohibition)
9.
attend any special induction courses. (exemption)
10.
take pupils out of school without special permission. (prohibition)
The tasks below examine ways of expressing:
Commands
Requests
Advice
Suggestions
Warnings
Promises
Threats
Task one **
1.
Choose what kind of communication the following utterances are.
a) command; b) request; c) advice; d) suggestion; e) warning; f) promise; g) threat; h) invitation
2.
Indicate where the important stress is.
1.
I wonder if I could join you for lunch.
2.
Please stop doing that.
3.
Won’t you sit down?
4.
You stay at home and do your homework.
5.
You ought to get out more.
6.
How about going to see the new exhibition at the Royal Academy?
7.
Careful!
8.
I’ll be sure to put it in the post for you tomorrow morning.
9.
You come here again and you’ll regret it.
10.
Hands up or I shoot!
Task two **
Complete the utterances below by adding a word sequence to make each the form of communication shown at the end of the item.
1.
…………………… It’s a very slippery surface. (warning)
2.
I want the money by Thursday …………………… (threat)
3.
…………………… let me have a small advance until the end of the month. (polite request)
4.
…………………… be back here by eight o’clock. (command)
5.
…………………… possibly postpone the meeting until early in the New Year. (request)
6.
…………………… It’s a very popular play. (advice)
7.
I’ll be there. …………………… (promise)
8.
…………………… on Monday instead of tonight? (suggestion)
9.
…………………… a good holiday. (advice)
10.
…………………… me for a good night out. (invitation)
Task three **
Complete the dialogues in the situations below with the various forms of communication stated.
SITUATION ONE
A: | This is a very good room. |
B: | Yes. It’s good for my work here. |
A: | Work a lot do you? |
B: | At home, yes. I’m quite busy now. |
A: | That must be nice. Working at home. |
B: | Yes. |
A: | But you’re busy. I mustn’t bother you. |
B: | No. |
A: | There is just one thing. |
B: | I am very busy. ………………………….. |
B wants A to leave. Write
a) | a request |
b) | a command (be careful not to be rude) |
c) | a suggestion |
SITUATION TWO
A: | The government isn’t going to allow you to testify. |
B: | I have important things to say. |
A: | You mustn’t say them. |
B: | Why not? In a democracy, you’re free to say anything. |
A: | The government isn’t happy. |
B: | Is that important? |
A: | …………………………………. |
A doesn’t want B to testify. Write
a) | a request |
b) | a prohibition (be careful not to be rude) |
c) | a suggestion |
d) | some advice |
e) | a threat |
f) | a warning |
SITUATION THREE
Mother: | The river’s very deep here. |
Child: | Please can I go for a swim. I won’t go far. |
Mother: | All right. But remember ………………………………… |
The mother tells the child to be careful. Write
a) | a warning |
b) | a weakened command |
c) | some advice |
SITUATION FOUR
A is discussing plans to build a double garage with his next-door neighbour.
A: | Those bricks for us to build a garage are coming today. |
B: | How many will there be? |
A: | I don’t know. I just gave them the measurements for my part and your part. |
B: | I don’t want them in my garden. |
A: | Does anybody? But some are for you. We don’t want to upset the other neighbours. |
B: | No. But – |
A: | ……………………. |
A insists B accepts some of the bricks. Write
a) | a warning |
b) | a suggestion |
c) | some advice |
d) | a request. |
Sections 336–338 & 340; 608; 730
The tasks below examine ways of expressing:
Commands
Requests
Advice
Suggestions
Prohibitions
Refusals
Warnings
Promises
Threats
… in reported statements.
Task one *
Match the direct statements in A with the indirect statements in B.
| A |
1. | Pauline, let David tell us himself. |
2. | You can be sure I’ll be at the station to meet you. |
3. | Why don’t we spend the day walking in the hills? |
4. | No parking. |
5. | You come home late and you won’t be allowed out again for a month. |
6. | Be careful if you go walking in the hills alone. |
7. | Could you help me with this work, please? |
8. | No, I’m sorry. I haven’t the time. |
9. | Could I go to see that film with you? |
10. | Sit down! |
