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§1. Both … and …, Not only … but also …, Either … or, Neither … nor …
Revision
 Terms
We call both … and, not only … but also …, either… or, neither … nor pair
conjunctions or correlative conjunctions.
 Parallel structures
The same grammatical form should follow each part of the paired conjunctions.
Both + noun + and + noun/pronoun
Both my sister and I went to Hoang Van Thu High School.
Not only + adj + but also + adj
Trang is not only intelligent but also generous.
Not only + verb + but also + verb
Minh not only saw the famous writer but also spoke to him.
Either + noun + or + noun
Students can choose either English or French in this semester.
Neither + verb + nor + verb
She had promised to visit me, but she neither came nor telephoned.
Subject and verb agreement
• Two subjects connected by both … and … take a plural verb.
Both Tam and Dan work for an instruction company.
• When two subjects are connected by not only … but also, either … or…, neither…
nor…, the second subject determines the form of the verb.
Not only my parents but also my brother is on a trip to Ha Long.
Either the teacher or the students have to make a plan for the class newspaper.
Neither salt nor sugar is necessary for this dish.
 Notes
• Not only… but also … can be replaced by not only … but … as well.
It is not only rainy but also windy in this season.
It is not only rainy but windy in this season as well.
Exercises
A. In each of the following sentences, there is an error. Identify and correct it.

1. Both my teacher praised my best friend and me.

2. Ha neither went to my party or told me the reason why.

3. I enjoy neither swimming nor go fishing.

4. Hoa not only helps me in my work but as well shares my happiness and sadness
in life.

5. I prefer living in the country since it is not only quiet but also less traffic.

6. I love not only watching game shows but talk shows as well.

7. I love literature, so I will either become a literature teacher or a journalist.

8. Rice is both grown in the north and in the south of Viet Nam.

B. Suply the correct form and tense of the verb in the parentheses.
1. Both the fridge and the air conditioner (not work) ………………… today.
2. Both my sister and I (never be) ………………… to Ha noi before.
3. Either my husband or I (have) ………………… to see the estate agent today.
4. Either Thuy or her friends (be going to) ………………… pick you up at the
airport.
5. Neither Mrs. Hoa nor her assistants (be) ………………… at the meeting
yesterday.
6. Not only Trung but also his parents (be expected) ………………… to come to
the ceremony.
C. There is a lack of both, and, not only, but also, either, or, neither or nor in the
following passage. Put a check ( ) where you will find in one of these words and
write the word on the right.

Television is one of the greatest inventions since it helps us
relaxed after a day of work transfers the latest news in the world.
Normally, when we feel tired, we can choose to go out and have
a drink with some friends to sit on the sofa in front of the
television and enjoy the family warm atmosphere. You may say
that you like music programs lengthy soap operas. No problem.
There are many channels for you to choose. Why don’t you try
TV news programs documentaries if you are interested in
enlarging your knowledge? Besides, you can watch live soccer
games that are transferred through satellites listen to lively
comments which you can never hear in the stadium.
However, spending so much time watching television may have
bad effects on parents work and children’s study. Therefore,
parents children should agree on how much time of watching TV
is enough for a day.
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………

D. Combine wo sentences into one, using both … and …, not only … but also,
either… or …, neither … nor…
1. Hoang didn’t come to class today. Nhan didn’t come to class today. (neither…
nor…)

2. Le will buy a new T-shirt. If there is no style that she likes, she will buy a shirt
instead. (either … or…)

3. Oxygen is necessary for life. Water is necessary for life too. (both … and…)

4. Chanh is also absent-minded. He left his book in class. He also left his jacket in
class. (not only … but also)

5. My father is going to see my teacher this Sunday. If he is busy, my mother is
going to see my teacher. (neither … nor… )

6. Let’s go to the market to get some spices. We don’t have any salt left and we
run out seasoning too. (neither … nor …)

7. My aunt lives with me. My cousins live with me too. (not only… but also….)

8. This shop sells fresh fruits. It also sells canned fruits. (both … and …)

§2. Cleft sentences
Revision
 Cleft sentences in the active
• Subject focus: We use cleft sentences to emphasize the subject of the action.
Did your friend give you these earrings?
No. It was my mother that gave me these these earrings.
Instead of saying My mother gave me these these earrings, the speaker says It was

my mother that gave me these these earrings to emphasize that her mother, not her
friend gave her the earrings.
• Object focus: We use the cleft sentences to emphasize the object of the verb.
You went to the book store yesterday, didn’t you? Did you buy this English
book? It looks new.
No. It was this Math book that I bought yesterday. The English book is a
present from my teacher.
Instead of saying I bought this Math book yesterday, the speaker says It was this
Math book that I bought yesterday to emphasize that he bought the Math book, not
the English book.
• Adverbial focus: We use cleft sentences to emphasize the adverb.
I should be grateful to my sister. It was for me that she quitted school.
Instead of saying she quitted school for me, the speaker says It was for me that she
quitted school to emphasize that his sister sacrificed her study for him.
 Cleft sentences in the passive
• Cleft sentences can also be used in the passive voice.
I heard that dog bit you yesterday.
No. It was the postman that was bitten by the dog.
Exercises
A. Choose the sentences that can best replace the sentences provided.
1. I was born and grew up in this village.
A. It was this village that I was born and grew up.
B. It was in this village I was born and grew up.
C. It was in this village that I was born and grew up.
D. It was in this village where I was born and grew up.
2. Your carelessness cause the accident.
A. It is the accident that your carelessness caused.
B. It was the accident that your carelessness caused.
C. It is your carelessness that caused the accident.
D. It was your carelessness that caused the accident.

3. Hue helped me a lot with my study last semester.
A. It was Hue that helped me a lot with my study last semester.
B. It was Hue that has helped me a lot with my study last semester.
C. It was Hue that had helped me a lot with my study last semester.
D. It was Hue that was helped me a lot with my study last semester.
4. – Did the headmaster give Tham a bicycle as a scholarship.
- The headmaster gave Tam a bicycle as a scholarship.
A. It was the headmaster who gave Tham a bicycle as a scholarship.
B. It was the headmaster who gave Tam a bicycle as a scholarship.
C. It was Tham who was given a bicycle as a scholarship.
D. It was Tam who was given a bicycle as a scholarship.
5. – Who put the photo here on the desk?
- Don’t you remember? You put it there on your birthday.
A. It was you that put it there on your birthday.
B. It was on your birthday that you put it there.
C. It was there that you put it on there birthday.
D. It was the photo that was put there on your birthday.
B. Complete the following sentences with groups of words in the box. There is one
extra group.
it was this school
it was in this school
it was in the summer
that i gave it a fish
that i asked to carry the luggage for me
that broke the window
it was the bicycle
it was in the winter
that stole the fish
1. It was the boy
2. It was the cat

3. that I learnt the first letter.
4. that was rebuilt that year.
5. it was the taxi driver
6. that my grandpa used when he was young.
7. that birds moved to the south.
8. that my family often went to the seaside.
C. Answer the following questions with the word provided, using cleft sentences.
1. Did you first meet your husband at high school.
(at university)
2. Who did you give the letter to?
(the landlady)
3. It is said that you were on television last night. Is it right?
(my twin sister)
4. I absent-mindedly washed your white T-shirt with the dark blue one. Was your
white T-shirt ruined?
(my white shirt)
5. Your cell phone was stolen, wasn’t it? Do you know who stole it?
(a monkey)
6. Long time no see. Do you still major in English now?
(French)
D. Unscramble the words to make complete sentences.
1. was/ that/ this river/ It/ died/ in/ many people.

2. difficult/ loved/ was/ that/ they/ It/ in/ each other/ the/ more/ time.

3. secretary/ was/ typed/ It / the/ the/ letter/ that.

4. this shirt/ by/ It/ actress/ was/ that/ was/ the/ worn.

5. that/ was/ writer/ by/ signed/ book/ was/ It/ the/ the.

§3. Conditional Type 1
Revision
 Use
We use conditional type 1 to express real or probable conditions.
If Van gets high marks in the exam, her parents will give her a computer.
(Van is a good student, and it is possible for her to get high marks in the exam)
Form
If clause Main clause
Present Simple Future Simple
If clause can come first or later.
Be careful. If you step on the dof’s tail, it will bit you.
You’ll never get success if you don’t try your best.
Notes
• Instead of the Future simple tense in the main clause, we can use can + bare-
infinitive to indicate permission or ability.
You can go out with friends if you promise to come home before 9.
(permission)
If you concentrate, you can do the job well. (ability)
• May/might + bare-infinitive can be used in the main clause to indicate possibility.
The soccer game may be delayed if the weather isn’t better.
• Other modal verbs or any expressions of command can be used according to their
meanings.
If Tuan wants to recover soon, he should stay in bed. (advice)
Please tell Ha to see me in the library if you happen to see him. (request)
• Instead of Present Simple tense in the If clause, we can use the Present Perfect
tense.
Hand in your paper if you have finished your writing.
Exercises
A. Make conditional sentences from the following words.

1. weather/ fine/ go on a pinic.

2. I/ be employed/ invite you/ eat out.

3. you/ come across/ monolingual dictionary/ take one for me.

4. mother/ allow/ go to your party.

5. you/ want/ good English learner/ learn to speak at the very beginning.

6. not eat breakfast/ not have enough energy.

7. you/ feed it too regularly/ the fish die.

8. you/ travel by bus/ save money.

9. the storm/ attack the village/ everyone/ be moved.

10. Suong/ finish her assignment/ within two weeks/ have one mark plus.

B. Complete the following conditional sentences.
1. You will enlarge your knowledge …………… you spend time reading
newspapers and magazines.
2. You …………… cut yourself if you are not careful with the knife.
3. …………… you want to lose weight, you …………… eat more vegetables.
4. If the strike …………… finished, the factory won’t be opened tomorrow.
5. …………… it’s Nhan that’s calling, please …………… him that I’m waiting
for him.
6. If you …………… your homework, you …………… play computer games.
7. You …………… what you want if you try your best.

8. The traffic in the city is very busy. It will be easier for you if you ……………
by bus during rush hour.
9. Don’t forget to take your flashlight with you. You …………… it if it is too
dark outside.
10. Normally the dog doesn’t bite anyone but …………… you enter the house
stealthily, it …………… you.
C. Complete the following conditional sentences with your own ideas.
1. If you want to speak English well,

2. If I see an old lady crossing the street,

3. If you visit my hometown,

4. If the weather is nice this weekend,

5. If I come first in the exam,

6. If a friend of mine gets a cold and cannot go to class,

7. If I come across an old friend who I haven’t seen for a long time,

8. If you want to become a good student,

§4. Conditional Typed 2
Revision
 Use
We use conditional type 2 to express unreal conditions in the present.
If I were you, I wouldn’t tell Nha that bitter truth.
Form
If clause Main clause

Past Simple /
Past Subjunctive
Would/ could/ might + bare-infinitive
If clause can come first or later
If I had enough money, I would buy a house for my parents.
We would become lazy if we didn’t work.
Note
• We can use both was or were for the subjects I, he, she, it in the if clause.
If I was/were stronger, I could carry the luggage for you
• We can use could in the if clause to express ability.
If I could speak French well, I would apply for a job in a French company.
• Instead of the Past Simple tense in the if clause, we can use the Past Progressing
tense.
I am talking to Ha who is a little boring.
 I would be more interested if I was talking to another one.
Exercises.
A. Complete the following sentences with the verbs in parentheses.
1. There would be less crime if anyone (have) ………………… a job.
2. I will buy a new T-shirt for you if you (like) ………………….
3. If all the factories (be move) ………………… out of the city center, the air
pollution (be) ………………… less serious.
4. If you (fry) ………………… the meat for a long time, it (become)
………………… tough.
5. (The phone ring)
- Thao, please answer the phone.
- I (will) ………………… if I (can) …………………. I’m in the bathroom.
6. If there (be) ………………… no sunlight, life (not exist) ………………….
7. Mr. Nhan is a poor worker but if he (have) ………………… enough money, he
(buy) ………………… a motorbike.
8. If I (be) ………………… a bird, I (be) ………………… a white pigeon.

If I (be) ………………… a flower, I (be) ………………… a sunflower.
If I (be) ………………… a cloud, I (be) ………………… a warm cloud.
As a human, I will die for my country.
B. Choose the best answer.
1. – I have never been to a job interview before
- ………………………………………………………
A. If I were you, I will dress formally.
B. If I were you, I could dress formally.
C. If I were you, I would dress formally.
D. If I were you, I can dress formally.
2. There were 2000 workers in that prosperous company. Many people
………………… out of work if that company ………………… down.
A. would be, closed B. are, closed
C. will be, closed D. wouldn’t be, closed
3. I don’t like living in the city, but if I ………………… a job there, I’ll move
there.
A. had B. don’t have
C. get D. don’t get
4. …………………………………… if you have a headache.
A. You drink these medicines.
B. Drink these medicines.
C. You take these medicines.
D. Take these medicines.
5. I’m sure Toan ………………… win the scholarship. I ………………… be very
surprised if she couldn’t.
A. will, will B. would, will
C. will, would D. would, would
6. – Are you going to read this novel?
- I ………………… if I ………………… time. I am very busy with my jobs.
A. will, have B. will, had

C. could, have D. would, had
C. Answer the following questions with your own ideas.
1. What would you do if you were of the opposite sex?

2. What would happen if there were no wars in the world?

3. What would you do if you became a member of the city government for a day?

4. If you could meet a famous person, who would you meet?

5. If you had a wish, what would you wish?

6. What would happen if Vietnamese became an international language?

§5. Conditional Type 3
Revision
 Use
We use conditional type 3 to express unreal conditions in the past.
Loan failed the exam because she was too lazy. If she had studied hard, she
would have passed the exam.
Form
If clause Main clause
Past perfect Would/ could/ might + have + past participle
If clause can come first or later
If it hadn’t rained, I would have gone fishing.
I would have gone swimming if I had had time.
Note
• Might + have + past participle can be used in the main clause to indicate
possibility.
The accident might have been more serious if the driver hadn’t driven slowly.

• Could + have + past participle can be used in the main clause to indicate
possibility or ability.
If Toan had tried more, he could have done better. (ability)
The bridge could have collapsed if it had rained more heavily. (possibility)
• Inversion can be used to replaced if.
If Dan had been out late last night, she might have been punished by her
parents.
 Had Dan been out late last night, she might have been punished by her
parents.
Conditionals in reported speech
• Type 1: present  past, will/ can  would/ could
“If I see Lam, I’ll tell him to phone you”, Tran promised.
 Tran promised (that) she would tell Lam to phone me if she met him.
• Type 2 and type 3: no tense changes
“I would travel to Ha Long Bay if I had enough money”, said Hoai.
 Hoai said (that) she would travel Ha Long bay if she had enough money.
“If Japan hadn’t attacked the Pearl Harbor, the U.S. couldn’t have joined World
War II”, our history teacher said.
 Our history teacher said (that) if Japan hadn’t attacked the Pearl Harbor, the
U.S. couldn’t have joined World War II.
Exercises
A. Match each clause in column A to its following in column B to make a
complete conditional sentences. Add a comma where necessary.
A B
1. If It hadn’t been for the storm
2. I would have come back to work in
my hometown after graduation.
3. Had Phuc had a map
4. If Chi hadn’t missed the bus
5. If I hadn’t been so busy

6. Snow White couldn’t have been
revived
7. Cinderella couldn’t have met the
prince
8. If I hadn’t saved money for a long
time
9. If you hadn’t pulled the dog’s tail
10. She wouldn’t have been so exhausted
a. it wouldn’t have bitten you
b. if the prince hadn’t kissed her
c. I would have helped you
d. if she hadn’t worked so much
e. if I had been able to find a job there
f. if It hadn’t been for her
godmother’s help
g. many people wouldn’t have been
badly injured
h. I couldn’t have afforded this
motorbike
i. she wouldn’t have gotten lost
j. she hadn’t been late for school
B. Write conditional sentences from the following pairs of pictures (page 22)
C. Make conditional type 3 from the following situations.
1. Tram stayed up late to watch TV last night, so she got up late and was late for
class this morning.

2. Mr. Trong’s head was badly injured in the accident because he didn’t wear a
helmet.

3. Lan went out yesterday without an umbrella. It suddenly rained, and she got

wet.

4. I was punished because I went out late last night.

5. I didn’t meet my old friend in the party yesterday because I left so early.

6. I didn’t know that you arrived in Ho Chi Minh City last Saturday, so I didn’t
pick you at the station.

7. I didn’t recognize Hang among the crowd, so I didn’t call her.

8. Tam was fined because he rode the motorbike without a license.

D. Yesterday was a busy day. You had a lot of homework to do. You didn’t have
enough time to do other things. What would you have done if you had had more
time? Write 5 sentences.
Example:
If I had had more time yesterday, I would help my mother with the housework.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
E. Complete the following reported speech with your own ideas.
1. Linh told me she would lend me some money if

2. The nurse told Mr. Thuan if he took the medicines regularly,

3. My teacher said the air wouldn’t be so polluted if

4. Phuong said she would see me the day after if

5. A witness said if the victim had been taken to hospital soon,

6. Mrs. Le believed if she had fewer children,

7. Hai said he could have performed better in his interview,

8. A firefighter said the fire wouldn’t have take place

§6. Defining Relative Clauses
Revision
 Definition
Defining relative clauses which describe the preceding noun are essential to the
understanding of the noun; so they could not be omitted.
The boy who gave me the letter yesterday ran away without letting me know his
name.
(The clause who gave me the letter yesterday is a defining relative clause. If we
omit that clause, the meaning of the sentence becomes unclear.)
Relative pronouns used defining relative clauses
Subject Object Possessive
Things which/ that (1) which/ that (3) whose/ of which (5)
Person who/ that (2) whom/ who/ that (4) whose (6)
(1) The road which/ that leads to the city center is in bad condition.
(2) He is the student who/ that has taken his disable friend to school for years.
(3) The book which/ that I bought yesterday is an original one.
(4) The secretary whom/ that Mr. Hoa has employed is very talented.
(5) Houses whose walls were made of wood were all destroyed by the storm.
Houses, the walls of which were made of wood, were all destroyed by the storm.
(6) The man whose daughter has just been born is over 50.

Omission of relative pronouns in defining relative clauses
An object relative pronoun in a defining relative clause can be omitted.
“Gone With The Wind” is the novel which/ that I like best.
= “Gone With The Wind” is the novel I like best.
A relative pronoun that is the subject of a clause cannot be omitted.
Exercises
A. In each of the sentences below, there is one error in relative clause structures.
Find and correct the error.
1. The woman whom sent this package absent-mindedly left her wallet at the post
office.

2. Spending time with people who knows how to make jokes is very interesting.

3. I did not recognize the man entered the room.

4. The new motorbike people are advertising on TV, and in newspaper and
magazines.

5. All the contestants take part in the competition are very intelligent.

6. The house which Mr. Lam is going to buy it is located in a very quiet area.

7. The party where I went to last night was held by an old friend.

8. The student who assignment got the highest mark worked very hard.

9. Have you returned the money that borrowed from the bank?

10. The families whose house destroyed in the storm are still trying to improve
their lives.

B. Combine a word or phrase in each box to complete a defining relative clause.
An email
Fax
transmission
A package
A postman
A message
A clerk
a service
an object
a letter
a person
a person
a piece of
information
be wrapped in a box and sent to someone
his job is to serve people at a store
you send to someone when you cannot
speak directly
be sent from one computer to another
help people send documents without
changing their original shapes
his job is to deliver mail to people
1. An email is a letter which/ that is sent from one computer to another.
2. Fax transmission
3. A package
4. A postman
5. A message
6. A clerk

C. Read the following passage about different kinds of flooding then fill in the
blanks with who/ whom/ which/ that/ where. There may be more than one correct
word fill in a blank.
Flooding actually occurs from a range of causes and conditions – not always the
ones (1) ……………… first come to mind.
Of course, river flooding is the kind (2) ……………… we think of most
commonly. Heavy rains or rapid snowmelt on upstream watersheds cause rivers to
rise.
Coastal flooding is also very common in many places (3) ……………… coastal
land is very close to sea level, and therefore vulnerable. During hurricanes or other
large storms, waves may be much higher than normal, and super-low atmospheric
pressure often forces sea level to rise a dozen feet or more above normal in a “storm
surge”. When violent surf and storm surge coincide with normal high tides, the results
can be catastrophic.
Less often thought of are the flood (4) ……………… can result from the failure of
dams, impoundments, or other regulatory systems. The Johnstown flood is an
example.
A flash flood is really any sudden, severe flood event (5) ……………… can have
a variety of causes – although large sudden downpours are the main ones. The effects
of a downpour are worsened when terrain will not absorb water. Reasons vary: soil
type (e.g. clay), lack of vegetation, steepness, extensive pavement (urban areas),
frozen or ice-covered soil, or the saturation of soil by previous rains.
Flood typically get the most headlines when waters are about to crest. But there are
important post-flood stories (6) ……………… need telling as well. For example,
failure of normal sewage and drinking water systems means people need advice about
how to find safe drinking water. They need to understand and address the problems of
mold and mildew in waterlogged buildings. And of course they need advice on how to
connect with disaster-aid agencies.
(Source: Environment Health Center)
D. Complete the following definitions about different kinds of flooding, using

relative clauses.
1. River flooding is a kind of flood that is caused by heavy rains or rapid
snowmelt.
2. Coastal flooding is a kind of flood

3. Johnstown flood is an example of flood

4. A flash flood is a kind of flood


§7. Non-defining Relative Clauses
Revision
 Definition
Non-defining relative clauses are replaced after definite nouns; so they are not
essential to the understanding of the noun. They only give some more information
about the noun.
Non-defining relative clauses are separated from the noun by commas.
Long’s father, who works for a construction company, is often away from home.
(The clause who works for a construction company is a non-defining relative
clause. If we omit that clause, the meaning of the sentence is still clear.)
 Relative pronouns used in non-defining relative clauses
Subject Object Possessive
3. What do you want to become when you are over twenty?

4. Where do you suggest your friend go if s/ he has vacation?

5. List three things that your parents don’t let you do?

6. Have you ever planned to live on your own? If you are allowed to, what do you
intend to do to earn a living?

7. Who will ever have your bicycle repaired once the brake doesn’t work? (use
have + O + infinitive without to)

8. Whenever you have a problem, who is the first person that is always willing to
help you?

§10. Linking words
Revision
 Definition
Linking words are words used to link clauses or sentences.
Tam likes leaning English. However, he is too shy to speak English in front of the
class.
 Popular linking words
Addition and, additionally, in addition, besides, moreover,
furthermore, what is more, in addition to + n, apart from + n
Contrast but, though, however, nevertheless
Result hence, thus, as a result, the result of that is …, as a
consequence, consequently
Example for example, for instance
Generalization in general, generally, to sum up
Life in big cities is very comfortable. There are many parks where the whole
family can relax at weekends. Besides, there are supermarkets where you can both
go shopping and enjoy yourself.
Life in big cities is very comfortable. Nevertheless, it may be stressful to some
people.
If parents indulge their children too much, they may spoil them. Hence, children
should be punished only when they do something wrong.

 Note
Sometimes linking words can be put after the subject.
It is assumed that big cities are heavens. City dwellers, however, have to face many
problems.
Exercises
A. Choose the best linking word to fill in each blank.
1. Women nowadays have their social roles. They work as doctors, engineers, and
even construction workers. …………………, some women become the leaders
of their countries.
A. As a result B. In addition to
C. In general D. Additionally
2. English has become the key to success. …………………, more and more
people rush to study English in language centers.
A. For example B. As a consequence
C. Additionally D. Nevertheless
3. Money can guarantee a comfortable life. …………………, it cannot always
bring happiness.
A. What is more B. Consequently
C. However D. To sum up
4. Travelling by public means of transportation can help save money.
…………………, it costs us only 6,000 dong to go to school and come back
home while we have to spend 10,000 dong filling the petrol tank of the
motorbike.
A. For instance B. Example
C. Such as D. All are correct
5. Studying abroad is a good opportunity to develop our foreign language.
…………………, not everyone can afford it.
A. Nevertheless B. But
C. Besides D. Thus
B. There is a passage about the benefits of games. Complete each numbered

blank in the passage with one of the following linking words. Capitalize it where
necessary.
for instance
consequently
and
since
although
what is more
in general
It is argued that games are but a kind of entertainment, and that it is a waste of
time to spend so much time playing games. I myself think that games are much more
than recreation (1)………………… they teach us a lot of useful things, among which
are team spirit, competence of observation, and wishes.
To begin with, team sport games such as soccer, volleyball or basketball give us
lessons on solidarity and cooperation. Taking part in these games, individuals become
members of a group and they play for the sake of their group; thus they have to
cooperate well with one another. Cooperation, as we know it, is one of the essential
factors that bring about success in studies and work. (2) …………………, solidarity
and cooperation which stems from games can perfectly become the key to success.
(3) …………………, games help us improve our competence of observation;
hence they become a trainer of our minds. Whatever games we play; sport games or
computer games, only when we highly concentrate on the games can we win. The
computer game Mario, (4) …………………, is one which requires much of our
attention and observation or we will get lost. Life is just the same; if we do not try our
best to choose the right ways, it is inevitable that we will get lost in hundreds or even
thousands of choices and opportunities in life.
Finally, children games are a good environment for wishes to derive from. In our
childhood games, we often act as teachers, doctors, engineers, or even the prime
minister. Aren’t they our very romantic dreams? (5) ………………… many people
really make dreams come true when they grow up. Bill Gates insists that we should

dare to wish if we want to succeed and wishes seem to develop from those games. Din
Bo Linh, a talented king in Vietnamese history, liked playing as a soldier fighting
against invaders when he was young. And false battles in childhood games eventually
turned out to be real ones when he grew up. (6) ………………… it is a long distance
from dreams to reality, aren’t those wishes the very beginning of our success?
(7) …………………, games are worth spending time. We can more or less
benefit from games we play if we know how to take advantage of them.
C. People say that television has bad influence on young people nowadays. Do you
agree? Within 150 words, write your ideas and use examples to support your
ideas. Use linking words to make your passage coherent.
Suggested ideas:
Agree
• A lot of violence and sex on TV
• Bad influence on eyesight
• Lack of educational programs
Disagree
• A way of learning new things (news programs, “Travel Around The World”,
game shows)
• Useful entertainment
• Advertisements on TV: provide useful information about the market and
products.

§11. Modal verbs
Revision
 Ability
• We use can or be able to to express ability.
Hai can sing very well.
I believe that I will be able to finish the assignment on time.
• We use could as the past form of can.
I couldn’t swim when I was eight, but now I am among the best swimmers in
my class.
 Possibility
• We use can, could, may or might to express possibility.
You can swim in this lake in the summer since the water is not very cold.
Hung isn’t in now. He could be in the bookstore. (Perhaps he is in the
bookstore.)
It may/ might be Le on the phone.
• We use must/ could/ may/ might + have + past participle to express speculations
about past actions.
Duyen hasn’t come yet. She could/ may/ might have missed the train.
• However, can, could, may, might are not always used interchangeably.
(See §12. Modal Verbs: Degrees of Certainty and Formality for details).
Permission
• Can, could, and may are used to express permission.
Could you lend me some money?
You can go out now but make sure to come home before 9 o’clock.
A student (to his teacher): May I go out?
• There is a slight difference in the use of can, could and may to express
permission. (See §12. Modal Verbs: Degrees of Certainty and Formality for

details).
 Obligation
• Should and ought to are used to give advice.
You should/ ought to write to your uncle to thank him for his gift.
• Must is used to express speaker’s authority.
Teacher (to his students): You must wear uniform when you go to school.
(We must wear uniform because the teacher wants us to.)
• Have to is used to express external authority.
It is raining. I have to stay at home. (I can’t go out because of the weather.)
• Mustn’t = be not allowed to
Don’t have to = needn’t
You mustn’t write on the desk. = You are not allowed to write on the desk.
You don’t have to go to the market. We still have enough food.
= You needn’t go to the market, but it’s OK if you want to go.
Exercises
A. Underline the modal verbs in the following sentences and write the function of
each modal under the underlined word: ability, advice, possibility, permission or
obligation. The first sentence is done for you.
1. May I have a day off tomorrow? My son is sick.
Permission
2. You shouldn’t be so shy. You have to believe your ability.
3. Why are your clothes so dirty? You must have played near the lake.
4. Don’t bother. I can do the job myself.
5. You can watch TV after finishing your homework.
6. You might have seen your old friend if you hadn’t left so early.
7. You don’t have to get up early. I know you were exhausted last night.
8. I really didn’t believe that she even couldn’t iron her own clothes.
B. Find a sentence in the box that has similar meaning to that of each of the
sentences below.
You mustn’t wear jackets here

Can I have some drink
Should I drink milk
You may have got lost
You don’t have to wear jackets here
You may get lost
1. Is it good for my health if I drink milk?

2. I want some milk, please.

3. You are not allowed to wear jackets here.

4. You needn’t wear jackets here. It’s not very cold.

5. Don’t follow that way. I’m not sure, but perhaps it isn’t the right way.

6. Why are you so late? I think they you couldn’t find the way. Right?

C. Underline the correct modal verb.
1. If Hang wants to please her mother, she (should/ ought to) study harder.
2. Tran has a piano at home, but she (can/ isn’t able to) play it.
3. Minh (can’t/ couldn’t) play badminton when she was young, but now she plays
very well.
4. That girl looks very familiar. I (could have seen/ could see) her somewhere.
5. You (mustn’t/ don’t have to) walk on the grass.
6. Phuong (may/ ought to) talk to her mother about her problem.
7. A: Can you lend me a hand?
B: I (could/ would) if I (could/ would). I’m very busy right now.
8. A: Do you have any plan for the coming summer vacation?
B: I’m not sure but I (might go/ might have gone) to Da Nang in September.
D. Write true sentences about you.

1. Three things that you can do well.



2. Three things you guess may happen in the next decade.



3. Three things you should do to keep fit.



4. Three things you are allowed to do. (Use can, could or may. )



5. Three things you are not allowed to do.



§12. Modal Verbs: Degrees of Certainty and Formality
Revision
 Degrees of certainty
• Degrees of certainty refer to how sure we are about the possibility of (doing)
something.
• In the present:
Why isn’t Thuan here now?
- He is busy with the housework.  100% sure
- He must be busy with the housework  95% sure
- He could be busy with the housework  not very sure

- He may be busy with the housework  not very sure
- He might be busy with the housework  not very sure
• In the present (negative)
Bich is in Ha Noi now. It can’t/ couldn’t be her outside the door. 99% sure
Bich is in Ha Noi now. It mustn’t be her outside the door. 95% sure
I think Bich is in Ha Noi now. It may not her outside the door.  not very sure
I think Bich is in Ha Noi now. It might not her outside the door. not very sure
• In the past:
The degrees of certainty in the past are similar to those in the present.
We use modal + have + past participle
Why is the car so clean? You must have washed it.
 Degree of formality
• Degrees of formality refer to how formal we are when we make a request.
• How formal we are depends on the relationship between speakers and the
difficulty of the request.
More formal
Less formal
May
Could
Can
Employee (to employer): May I borrow your laptop for a day?
Student (to teacher): Could I ask you a question?
Student (to a friend): Can I borrow your notebook?
Exercises
A. Choose the most appropriate reason for each of the following utterances.
1. – Do you think that Chanh will be employed?
- He couldn’t be employed.
A. He performed rather well in the interview.
B. He told me that he wasn’t very confident.
C. He can’t speak English while the employer requires applicants to speak

English well.
2. – Why is Thanh in bad mood today?
- He may be sick.
A. I’m sure about that because I saw him take some medicines this morning.
B. I just guess so. Sick people are often in bad mood.
3. – Why was Minh late for class yesterday?
- He might have got stuck in a traffic jam.
A. I think so because the streets are very crowded nowadays.
B. I saw a traffic jam near his house on the way I came here.
4. – Hoang’s neighbor had a party last night. They made a lot of noise. Was he
annoyed?
- He must have been very annoyed.
A. I don’t know. Perhaps he didn’t hear the noise.
B. Sure. He couldn’t sleep all night.
5. - Why don’t you invite Lan to eat dinner?
- She may not be hungry.
A. She has just eaten a lot with her friends.
B. She doesn’t seem to be hungry.
B. Put the following sentences in the correct order to make meaningful
conversations.
Conversation 1
- Yeah. Not a house. There’s smoke from it. It might be a factory.
- A house? So let’s go there and ask for some water.
- What’s that over there? I can’t see clearly.
- Oh no! That mustn’t be a house. It is as big as a castle. Let’s go further to see
what it is.
- That may be a house.
- I know what it is now. It is the old palace that the government is intending to
rebuild. Don’t you remember?
- It couldn’t be a factory. Factories have been all moved away to reduce

pollution.
Conversation 2
- When will you go?
- It might belong to an Australian university.
- Ah. It must be from a French university.
- Yes. I will attend a free course in France for a year.
- Just guess.
- You know what? I won a scholarship from a foreign university last month.
- It can’t be from an Australian university. I can’t speak English. I study French.
- I’m not sure. Maybe in July.
- Really? You must have been very happy. What organization does the
scholarship belong to?
C. Guess why the following things happen. Use different modals to express your
certainty.
1. Trong is sleeping in class.
He could have stayed up late last night.
2. My book has disappeared.

3. A small girl is crying in the market.

4. Mr. Thang got very angry yesterday.

5. Chi had an appointment with the doctor yesterday but she didn’t come.

6. Ngoc is in hospital.

7. The factory has been closed.

8. Quyen looks very sad today.

D. Make requests from the following situations. Use modal verbs.
1. You want to travel to Ha Noi by train. You telephone the railway station and
ask when the train leaves.
Can/ Could you please tell me when the train to Ha Noi leaves?