B1 Grammar

FIRST

7D Modals of ability – A likely story!

Aim Adaptation and extension
to practise modals of ability in the past and present • For weaker classes, explain that they have 30 seconds to
think before they talk about the topic.
Activity type • For stronger groups make the task more open, with other
a card prompt speaking activity group members allowed to ask questions after the initial
answer is given. This should be modelled on step 2 if used.
For example:
Classroom dynamics
Teacher: I wasn’t allowed to use the internet when I was a
pairwork or small groups child.
Student: Why not?
Time taken Teacher: My parents thought it would distract me from
20 minutes studying!
Student: And when were you allowed to use it?
Teacher: I was able to use it when I left home, but never in
Preparation
my parents’ house.
You will need one copy of the activity sheet per group, cut
• Students can also write their own topics for the task, which
into cards and a set of topics.
could be swapped with other groups. Monitor and ensure
the topics are appropriate and utilise modals of ability.
Procedure
1 Divide the class into pairs or small groups and hand out
B1 Grammar
a copy of the activity sheet and a set of T and F cards to PRELIMINARY

each one. Students should place the T and F cards face

down on the desk. 7D Modals of ability – A likely story!
2 Pick up a T or F card without showing it to the group. Get
one of them to ask you about one of the topics from the
activity sheet. Talk about it, telling the truth if you picked T T T F F F
up a T card or making something up if you picked up an
F card. T T T F F F
3 Ask the class to guess whether you were telling the truth
or not, then show them the card. Explain that those who
guessed correctly win a point. Explain that if everyone T T T F F F
in the group guesses incorrectly, the speaker gets the
point! T T T F F F
4 Students do the activity in groups. The questioners take it
in turns choosing a topic from the list, then students must
speak for 30 seconds. The topics can be repeated for T T T F F F
different students. Monitor, checking for the correct use
of ability modals. Allow around 15 minutes for this stage. T T T F F F
5 Once the time limit is up, discuss as a class who was the
best at misleading their partner/group. Did any students
discover anything interesting about their classmates? 1 A musical instrument that you can play.
Clarify any recurring errors with modals of ability. 2 A sport you could play when you were younger.
3 A language that you can speak.
4 Something you weren’t allowed to do as a child.
5 A special talent that you have.
6 A meal which you can cook.
7 A talent which you had when you were younger, but don’t have now.
8 An occasion when you were able to do something unusual.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2020 32

28