🎯 Lesson Objectives:
- Avoid common errors and improve precision in argumentation
- Understand the functions of modal verbs in formal academic writing
- Use modal verbs for expressing possibility, necessity, obligation, certainty, advice, and speculation
🔑 Key Modal Verbs for IELTS Writing
| Function | Modal Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Possibility | may, might, could | This approach might reduce crime. |
| Necessity / Obligation | must, have to, need to | Governments must invest in public health. |
| Advice / Suggestion | should, ought to | Parents should monitor their children’s screen time. |
| Certainty / Deduction | will, must (logical) | If nothing is done, the problem will worsen. |
| Ability | can, could (past) | Technology can enhance education. |
| Conditional / Hypothetical | would, could, might | If taxes were increased, people might drive less. |
🧾 Tips for Band 7–9 Use of Modals:
- Use modal verbs to show subtlety (e.g., “might,” “could”) rather than being overly direct or absolute.
- Avoid overuse of “can” or “should”—use a range.
- Match modals to tone: formal academic tone favours “must,” “should,” “might” over “have to,” “need to” (though they are not incorrect).
- Combine with conditionals for speculative or hypothetical ideas
- Use modals with passive voice for sophistication:
- e.g., “More action must be taken to address this issue.”
- Combine modals with hedging phrases like:
- “It could be argued that…” / “This might suggest that…”
📝 Exercise 1: Sentence Transformation (Function Focus)
Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using a modal verb to improve clarity, formality, or nuance.
- It’s possible that this policy will help reduce pollution.
➤ This policy **________** help reduce pollution. - It is necessary for governments to address climate change urgently.
➤ Governments **________** address climate change urgently. - Children need to learn discipline from an early age.
➤ Children **________** learn discipline from an early age. - It is advisable for people to save for retirement early.
➤ People **________** save for retirement early. - The government is certain to face criticism for this law.
➤ The government **________** face criticism for this law.
Answers
1.This policy might help reduce pollution.
2. Governments must address climate change urgently.
3. Children need to learn discipline from an early age.
4. People should save for retirement early.
5. The government will face criticism for this law. (or “must” for strong certainty)
✍️ Exercise 2: Fill-in-the-Blank (Academic Context)
Choose the most appropriate modal verb: must, might, should, could, can, will, would.
- In order to improve public health, governments ________ implement stricter regulations on fast food advertising.
- If subsidies were removed, food prices ________ rise significantly.
- The internet ________ be used as a tool for both education and misinformation.
- Parents ________ encourage their children to engage in physical activities regularly.
- AI ________ revolutionise the way we work in the next decade.
Answers
1.In order to improve public health, governments must implement stricter regulations on fast food advertising.
2. If subsidies were removed, food prices might rise significantly.
3. The internet can be used as a tool for both education and misinformation.
4. Parents should encourage their children to engage in physical activities regularly.
5. AI will revolutionise the way we work in the next decade.
🧠 Exercise 3: Error Correction
Instructions: Find and correct the modal verb errors in each sentence.
- People must to take responsibility for their carbon footprint.
- It can be argued that education should made free for all.
- Citizens might to protest if taxes is increased.
- Government have to investing more in mental health services.
- Teenagers can be easily influenced and ought be guided properly.
Answers
1. ❌ must to take ➤ ✅ must take
2. ❌ should made ➤ ✅ should be made
3. ❌ might to protest ➤ ✅ might protest
4. ❌ have to investing ➤ ✅ have to invest
5. ❌ ought be ➤ ✅ ought to be
🧩 Exercise 4: Modal Variety Rewrite
Instructions: Improve the paragraph by incorporating a variety of modal verbs and making the tone more formal and argumentative (Band 8+ level).
Some people say that the government needs to help the homeless. Others say people should just help themselves. It is not clear who is right. The government helps sometimes, but it doesn’t always work.
🔄 Your task: Rewrite the paragraph to use at least four different modal verbs appropriately.
Sample Answer
“The government should play a central role in addressing homelessness, as individuals alone cannot resolve systemic issues. While some argue that people ought to take responsibility for their own situation, this viewpoint might overlook structural barriers such as unemployment or mental health challenges. Without proper support, these individuals will likely remain trapped in poverty.”
