Number 12 — Modals of Deduction (B1 Grammar)

B1 - modals of deduction

Number 12

PICTURE

(you add this)

"He must be up to something." "Yes, Jim. It's called takeaway."

*must* (sure it's true) · *can't* (sure it's impossible) · *might / may / could* (possible)

Listening

Speaking

LEAD-IN

What can you guess?

Look at these facts about a stranger. Guess what you can about them, then compare your theories.

• He pays for everything in cash.

• He gets food delivered every day but never opens the door.

• His lights are on at 3 a.m.

PICTURE

(you add this)

BEFORE YOU LISTEN

The new neighbour

You will hear Carol and Jim at their window, talking about the man who moved into number 12 four months ago.

LISTEN FOR

1. Who are they talking about?

2. What are their two main theories?

3. Which of them is more suspicious?

PICTURE

(you add this)

Tapescript: "Number 12"

CAROL Jim. Jim! Come away from the window.

JIM I'm just saying, it's odd. He's been in that house four months and I've never heard him say a word. He can't be shy — shy people still say good morning.

CAROL He might just be private. Not everyone wants to chat about the bins, Jim.

JIM It's not just that, though, is it? He must have money — that car outside cost more than our house. But he can't have a normal job. He never leaves before noon, and I've seen lights on at three, four in the morning.

CAROL He could work nights. He might be a doctor. Or he may work from home — everyone does now. Online trading or something.

JIM A doctor! Doctors say hello, Carol. And what about the deliveries? Boxes every single day. Big ones. And Tuesday — Tuesday there was a van, unmarked, and two men carried in something long, about two metres, wrapped in plastic.

CAROL ...OK, I'll admit the van was strange.

JIM Thank you very much!

CAROL But it might have a boring explanation. It could be gym equipment. People wrap furniture in plastic, you know. It can't be anything really bad — Sandra checked, and the landlord said he's a lovely quiet tenant, always pays six months early.

JIM Six months early! In this economy? He must be hiding something. Nobody pays six months early unless they don't want questions. He might be one of those — what do they call it — crypto people. Or he could be in witness protection. That would explain everything, actually. The silence, the cash—

CAROL How do you know he pays cash?

JIM ...Derek told me.

CAROL So you and Derek have been standing at windows discussing this man. He must think you're both mad. Honestly, listen to yourself — the poor man can't even order a sofa without a neighbourhood investigation. Maybe he's just a quiet person with money. They do exist.

JIM Then explain the smell.

CAROL What smell?

JIM Exactly. Four months, and no cooking smells. Ever. A man who never cooks and gets boxes every day... he must be up to something.

CAROL Yes, Jim. It's called takeaway.

COMPREHENSION

Listen again. Carol (C) or Jim (J)?

1. Thinks the neighbour is definitely rich. ______

2. Suggests he might work nights. ______

3. Thinks the early rent payments are suspicious. ______

4. Thinks the plastic-wrapped delivery could be gym equipment. ______

5. Believes the neighbour must consider Jim and Derek crazy. ______

GRAMMAR FOCUS

How sure are you?

a) He must have money — that car cost more than our house.

b) He can't be shy — shy people still say good morning.

c) He might be a doctor. / He could work nights. / He may work from home.

d) He must be hiding something.

1. In (a), is Jim 100% certain in a legal sense — or is he making a logical conclusion from evidence? Which modal means "I'm sure this is true"?

2. In (b), which modal means "I'm sure this is impossible"? Careful: the opposite of must here is NOT mustn't.

3. In (c), how sure are they — sure, or just considering possibilities? Which three modals are possible?

4. Can we use can in positive deductions (He can be a doctor)?

5. In (d), what verb form follows must for an action in progress right now? (must be + ______)

THE RULES

Complete the rules

Complete each rule with must, can't or might / may / could.

• ________ = you are sure something is true, based on evidence.

• ________ = you are sure something is impossible or not true.

• ________ = it is possible, but you don't know.

• After these modals we use the infinitive, or be + -ing for actions in progress: He must be working.

CAREFUL

Deduction is not permission. You mustn't smoke = prohibition. That can't be true = certainty. Same words, completely different jobs.

PRACTICE

Complete with must, might (not) or can't.

Multiple answers are possible. Be ready to defend yours!

1. He ________ earn a good salary — look at that car.

2. She ________ be at the office. Her computer's on but her coat has gone. It's hard to say.

3. That ________ be his wife — his wife has dark hair, and that woman is blonde.

4. They ________ be having a party. I can hear music and about forty voices.

5. You've been travelling all day — you ________ be exhausted.

6. He ________ know about the surprise party. Why else would he look so relaxed? Unless he's just calm — he ________ suspect anything at all.

7. She didn't reply to my message. She ________ be angry with me... or her phone ________ be dead.

8. A two-metre package wrapped in plastic? It ________ be a lamp. Or a rolled-up carpet. It ________ be a person. It ________ be.

TASK

The neighbour's flat

In pairs, invent five strange details about a fictional neighbour: what is delivered, what you hear, what you have seen. Then swap lists with another pair.

• They must produce one must, one can't and two might / could deductions about your neighbour.

• Everyone votes on the most convincing — and the most paranoid — theory.

• Finally, the original pair reveals the innocent truth.

PICTURE

(you add this)

TEACHER'S REFERENCE · HIDE OR DELETE BEFORE CLASS

Answer key

GIST Their new neighbour at number 12. Jim thinks he must be hiding something (a criminal, a "crypto person", witness protection); Carol thinks he might simply be a private man with money.

COMPREHENSION 1 J · 2 C · 3 J · 4 C · 5 C

GRAMMAR FOCUS 1 A logical conclusion from evidence — must. 2 can't. 3 Just possibilities — might / may / could. 4 No. 5 The -ing form: must be hiding.

RULES must · can't · might / may / could

PRACTICE 1 must

2 might

3 can't

4 must

5 must

6 can't / might not

7 might / might

8 might / could (either order) / can't / can't