UNIT 25 Modals: Making Polite Requests TOPICAL GRAMMAR PRACTICE

 

TOPICAL GRAMMAR PRACTICE

UNIT 25

Modals: Making Polite Requests

 

EXERCISE A Circle the correct modal in brackets to make a polite request. 1 ( Will / May) I go home early today? I have a dentist's appointment. 2 John, (will / may) you help me with these books? 3 (Could / May) you close the window, please? 4 Excuse me, (will / would) you mind passing me the pencil? 5 Mrs Clark, (may / would) Tim and I work together again today? 6 (Can / Will) Sally and I use your computer? 7 (May / Will) you lend me your dictionary for a moment? 8 Everybody, please (may / could) you listen for a moment? 9 Tom, (may / would) you turn your music down, please? 10 (May / Could) you stand up when the visitors come in? 11 Excuse me, when (may / will) I use the library? 12 What time (may / could) you see me tomorrow, doctor?   EXERCISE B Fill in the gaps with the correct modal in brackets to make a polite request. Getting ready for a party Sally: Let's decide who is going to do each job. Anne, (1) ____ (may / could) you make the sandwiches? Sue: (2) ____ (May / Will) I help Anne with them? Sally: Good idea. Now, Nadia perhaps you (3) ____ (would / may) lay the table. And Beth, (4) ____ (may / will) you fold the napkins and put them on the table? Larry: What (5) ____ (could / would) you like me to do? Sally Larry, (6) ____ (may / can) you blow up the balloons and put them around the room? Tom, (7) ____ (could / would) you mind helping him? There are hundreds of balloons! Peter: What about me? (8) ____ (Could / Would) I help? Sally: Of course! (9) ____ (May / Could) you put all the fruit juice and cola in the fridge so that it gets nice and cold? Mother: Hello, everyone! Do you need any help? Sally: Oh yes, Mum. (10) ____ (Would / May) you cut the cake into squares for us and (11) ____ (may / could) you help me look for the candles? I can't find them anywhere. Now I think everything is ready! No, I forgot the presents. Larry, (12) ____ (may / would) you go upstairs and get the presents and put them on the table where Kim will see them? Thanks. Now, we really are ready.   EXERCISE C Fill in the gaps with the correct modal in brackets to make a polite request. A STRANGER ON THE TOWN   Stranger: Excuse me, (1) ___ (could / may) you tell me the way to the tourist office, please? Man 1: Of course, it's just over there at the corner. Stranger: Thank you. (2) ___ (Will / May) I ask you a question? Man 1: Please do. Stranger: (3) ___ (Could / Would) you mind helping me across the road? My eyesight isn't very good. Man 1: My pleasure..   Stranger: Excuse me, (4) ____ (can / may) you tell me the time, please? Man 2: Certainly, it's ten past two. Stranger: Thank you, and (5) ______ (will / may) I ask you a favour? Man 2: Yes. Stranger: (6) ______ (Will / May) you show me where I can buy a guidebook on the town? Man 2: Certainly. You can get a good guide in this bookshop here. Stranger: Thank you so much. Man 2: Not at all.   Stranger: Excuse me, (7) _______ (may / could) you help me with this map? I think I'm lost. Man 3: Of course. Look, you're just here. Stranger: (8) ___ (May / Will) I borrow your pen to mark the spot? Man 3: Here you are! Stranger: Thank you.   Stranger: Excuse me, (9) ____ (could / would) you mind showing me where the station is on this map? Man 4: It's right here. Stranger: Oh, yes, of course. (10) ___ (Could I May) you tell me if there are direct trains to the city centre from here? Man 4: Yes, there are regular trains to the city but I don't know the times. (11) ___ (Could / Would) you like me to take you to the station to find out? Stranger: That's very kind, but I'll find my way.   Stranger: Excuse me, could you ... Man 1: No, (12) ________ (may / could) you tell me why you are asking all these questions? Stranger: Yes, of course. I am the tourist inspector from the town council. I am doing a report on how local people behave with tourists. And I'm very pleased to say that this is one of the friendliest, most polite and helpful towns I have ever visited!

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