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modal auxiliary verbs >
modals of deduction
 

Modals of deduction

See also:
functions:
deductions / guesses
 
 
 
 

General use of modal verbs of deduction
We can use certain modal auxiliary verbs to make deductions, i.e. to make guesses based on known facts. We can make deductions about the present : 'Where's Joanna?' 'She's not here. She must be in the kitchen.' We can also make deductions about the past : ...Read more

 
 
 
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Deductions dominoes (present time)
B1-B2
29-30 mins
groups: 3-4
 
Set of 12 matching dominoes for possibility in the present: must, may, might, could
 
worksheet preview
 
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Making deductions - letter
B1-B2
 
Letter. Students read and make guesses about sender and recipient.
 
 
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Possibility in the past - speaking
B1-B2
 
Cut up strips. Ss read out problems. Others in group respond with a 'must have' 'could have' etc explanation
 
 
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Possibility - dominoes grammar game - extended version
B1-B2
 
Dominoes game revising modals for degrees of certainty in the past, present and future.
 
 
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Expressing degrees of certainty - reference sheet
B1-B2
 
Cross table with simple rules for use of modals for certainty
 
 
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Future certainty
B1-B2
 
Matching an analysis of possible modals for expressing degrees of certainty in the future
 
 
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Deductions dominoes (present and past)
B1-B2
 
Dominoes game revising modals for degrees of certainty in the past and present.
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
Modals of deduction quiz 1
Ten-question multiple-choice quiz on modals of deduction in the present and past.
 
 
Modals of deduction in the present
Fifteen-question multiple-choice quiz on modals of deduction in the present.
 
 

 

 
 
 
Inside Out Student's Book Upper Intermediate book cover 
Inside Out Student's Book Upper Intermediate
Unit 14 Review 2  Page 132 
 
Unit 10 Genius  Pages 92 - 93
Modals of deduction in present and past: describing and nterpreting paintings.
 
 
Advanced Communication Games book cover 
Advanced Communication Games
22 Elementary, my dear Watson  Page 22 
Students read clue cards and make deductions to solve a murder
 
 
Grammar Activities Two - Upper Intermediate book cover 
Grammar Activities Two - Upper Intermediate
39 - 40 Modal verbs - deduction present and past  Pages 39 - 40
(39) Gap fill. Deductions about pictures showing places (40) Gap fill. Deductions based on given information.
 
 
Intermediate Communication Games book cover 
Intermediate Communication Games
29 - Detective work  Page 29 
Card game. Small groups. Past perfect Past simple Language for making deductions. Murder-solving game with clue cards.
 
30 - Suggestive shapes  Page 30 
Picture ordering game. Deductions; Looks like. Students descibe and makes guesses about abstract shapes.
 
 
Play Games with English Book Two book cover 
Play Games with English Book Two
Close-ups 2 page 26  Page 26 
Close up pictures of everyday objects. Objects listed below.Ss must say,'It oould be a light bulb' etc. (Rather too easy to match the objects negating the need for deduction lanauge)
 
Detective page 42  Page 42 
A painting has been stolen from a gallery. Ss look at picture of the room and make deductions. 'He must have escaped through the window' etc.
 
 
Reward Intermediate Resource Pack book cover 
Reward Intermediate Resource Pack
18a and 18b He looks nice  Page 18 
Must, can't might and could for deductions about the present. Students match picures (line drawings) with jobs.
 
38 Speculation  Page 38 
Deductions about present and past. 8 picture cards. Ss make deductions : (smiling woman holding letter - 'She must have had some good news' etc.)
 
 
Reward Upper-intermediate Resource Pack book cover 
Reward Upper-intermediate Resource Pack
19b & c Unsolved mysteries  Page 19 
(19b) Students read out short texts about five unsolved mysteries and speculate about possible explanations. (19c) Read and match explanations with mysteries.
 
 
The Great Train Robbery
 
<i>Black Mirror</i>
 
Escape from the canyon