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1. Opinion
Key Comparison
| Asking for opinion | Giving opinion |
|---|---|
|
|
Example
Give your opinion about using Moroccan Arabic in course books.
- In my opinion, using Moroccan Arabic may make students neglect their classic language.
- In my view, using Moroccan Arabic in textbooks may help students understand the lessons better.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Some Egyptian channels are a waste of time, don't you think so? You: (give your opinion)
- What do you think of the Moroccan football team's last performance? You: (give your opinion)
- Jane: I changed may hair style. (ask for opinion) Jack: (give your opinion)
2. Expressing agreement & disagreement
Key Comparison
| Expressing agreement | Expressing disagreement |
|---|---|
| – I agree – Of course. – I think so. – You are right. – Absolutely. – Exactly. – I couldn't agree more. | – I disagree. – I don't agree with you. – Of course, not. – I don't think so. – You are wrong. – I'm afraid. I disagree. – That's not always true. |
Example
English is one of the most spoken languages in the world.
- I agree. English is one of the most spoken languages all over the world.
- You are right. Millions of people speak English worldwide.
Dinner is the most important meal of the day.
- I don't agree with you. Dinner is not the most important meal of the day.
- You are wrong. Lunch is the most important meal of the day.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Exercising regularly keeps you fit and healthy. You: (express agreement)
- Tutors should do the homework to their students. You: (express disagreement)
- Some new married couples prefer to live with their parents after marriage. You: (Do you agree or disagree and why)
3. Making a request
Key Comparison
| Making a request | Accepting the request | Declining the request / refusing |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Example
You need some money to pay the rent. Ask your friend, Manuel, to lend you some.
- Manuel, could you lend me some money, please? I need to pay the rent.
- Manuel, would you mind lending me some money? I need to pay the rent.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Ask your teacher to clarify more the meaning of a word. You: (make a request)
- Could you switch on the TV, please? You: (accept the request)
- Can you help me carry this baggage to the train station, please? Mark: (decline and give a reason)
4. Lack of understanding & asking for clarification
Key Comparison
| Lack of understanding | Asking for clarification |
|---|---|
| – I beg your pardon. – I don't understand. – I am not quite sure I follow you. – I am sorry. I didn't hear what you said. – I didn't get your point. | – Could you repeat, please? – What do you mean by ""? - Could you be more specific? - Could you possibly explain more? – Would you elaborate on that, please? |
Example
- Interviewer: I am afraid we accept only polyglots in our hotel.
- Interviewee: I beg your pardon. What do you mean by a "polyglot"?
- Interviewer: I mean we just accept those who speak many languages.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- The doctor: If you want to keep fit, you need to exercise regularly and eat healthy food. You: (express lack of understanding)
- The police officer: Sorry, Sir, your driving license expired a couple of days ago. You: (express lack of understanding and ask for clarification)
5. Asking for advice
Key Comparison
| Asking for advice | Giving advice | Accepting advice |
|---|---|---|
|
| – That's a good idea, thanks. – It sounds a good idea. |
Example
I have a terrible headache. What should I do?
- You should see a doctor now.
- You'd better have some rest.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Your friend: It's my best friend's birthday and I don't know what to bring him as a gift. You: (give him a piece of advice)
- I have an English test next week but I didn't understand some lessons. You: (ask your friend for advice) You: (give him a piece of advice)
6. Expressing a complaint
Key Comparison
| Express complaint | Positive answer | Negative answer |
|---|---|---|
|
| – Well, there's nothing I can do about it. – I can't do anything about it. |
Example
Your neighbour turned on the music aloud last night and you couldn't sleep.
- I am sorry to have to say this, but your music was loud last night.
- I am afraid. I have a complaint to make. You turned on the music aloud last night.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- You were in a bank and one of the clients didn't respect the queue. You: (Make a complaint) The client (respond positively)
- Someone put rubbish in front of your flat front door. You: (Complain to the doorman)
- The service is terrible in the hostel you are staying at. You: (Complain to the manager)
7. Make an apology
Key Comparison
| Make an apology | Responding to apologies |
|---|---|
| – It's not a problem. – That's OK. – It's all right. – It's Okay. Don't worry. – It doesn't matter. |
Example
You came late. You apologize to the teacher.
- I am sorry, Sir, I am late.
- I am terribly sorry, Sir, for being late. I missed the bus.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- You mispronounced your classmates' name. You: (apologize to him) Your classmate (respond to the apology)
- You dialled a wrong number by mistake and you called someone you didn't know. You: (make an apology)
8. Suggestion
Key Comparison
| Make a suggestion | Respond positively | Respond negatively |
|---|---|---|
| – Let's? – How about + verb + ing? – What about + verb + ing? – Why don't we? – Do you fancy + verb + ing? | – Ok let's. – That's a good idea. – That sounds a good idea, thanks. – Yes, why not. | - No let's not. - I don't think that's a good idea. - Yes, but |
Example
You and your friend are free this afternoon. Suggest doing or going somewhere.
- Let's go to the movies. I am bored.
- How about watching a film this afternoon?
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Your teacher wants to organize a trip abroad. Suggest a country you like to go to. You: Your teacher:(respond)
- Your father's car always breaks down. You: (suggest a solution to him)
- Your friend: I am hungry now. You: (Suggest eating something)
9. Responding to news
Key Comparison
| Responding to good news | Responding to bad news |
|---|---|
| That's good news! That's wonderful! I'm glad to hear that! Congratulations! Really? I can't believe it. | That's bad news! That's terrible! I'm sad to hear that! How sad! That must be awful! |
Example
- You: My brother got married last week.
- Your friend: I am glad to hear that! Congratulations!
- You: I failed my driving test yesterday.
- Your friend: Oh, that's terrible.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- You: My wife is pregnant. She's expecting a baby in the coming months. Your friend: (respond)
- You: Our classmate, Adam, didn't pass his BAC exam. Teacher: (respond)
10. Prohibition
Key Rule
You mustn't......
You can't......
You are not allowed to.....
You are not permitted to.....
Don't......
It's forbidden to.....
Example
- You mustn't smoke in this area.
- No parking in this place. It's a private property.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Write a note in which you prohibit fishing in the lake. You:
- Write a note in which you prohibit feeding animals in the zoo. You:
11. Definition
Key Rule
... is ...
... refers to ...
... can be defined as ...
... can be considered as ...
... refers to ...
(Also using: No + Verb + ing)
Example
- An atheist is someone who does not believe in the existence of god.
- Zoology refers to the scientific study of the behaviours of animals.
Exercise
Re-write these sentences differently.
- Xenophobia is the fear that you have towards foreigners. You:
- A protagonist is the main character in a play, film, book or story. You:
12. Asking for permission
Key Comparison
| Asking for permission | Giving permission |
|---|---|
| May I? Can I? Do you mind if? Is it OK if? Would it be all right if? | You may You can |
Example
Get permission from your father to use his laptop for a while.
- Dad, can I use your laptop for a while?
- Dad, is it Ok if I use your laptop?
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Get permission from your teacher to go to the rest room. You:
- Get permission to take a picture of an old lady and post it on your Facebook. You:
13. Necessity & lack of necessity
Key Comparison
| Necessity (obligation) | Lack of necessity (no obligation) |
|---|---|
| must have to | needn't don't have to |
Example
Necessity:
- You must respect the traffic code.
- Students have to do their homework.
Lack of necessity:
- You needn't have bought all this dessert. We have some apples left in the fridge.
- He doesn't have to take a taxi. The office is just in the corner.
Exercise
Necessity or lack of necessity?
- You must stop when the light is red.
- There are many eggs in the basket. You don't need to buy more.
- I have a stomach-ache; I should see a doctor.
- It's Sunday. So, he doesn't have to wake up early.
- I didn't need to tell him about my absence. He already knew I was sick
- My aunt has to pay all the taxes every year.
- She needn't buy all this food.
- He had to study last night because he had an exam.
- He didn't have to take the umbrella last night.
14. Ability & inability
Key Comparison
| Ability | Inability |
|---|---|
| Can Could Be able to | Can't Couldn't Not be able to |
(Note: The original text had "Be able to" on both sides, updated to "Not be able to" for inability)
Example
- I can read Japanese books and speak Spanish.
- Jack could play soccer well when he was in his twenties.
- I couldn't do the project work yesterday because I was sick.
Exercise
can or can't?
- Jack is blind. He _____ see anything.
- Susan _____ drive well; she has never made an accident.
- Mrs. Wilson is rich. She ______ buy anything she wants.
- A comedian tell jokes and make the audience laugh.
- The student ____ do the exercise by himself; the teacher's helping him.
15. Certainty & uncertainty
Key Comparison
| Certainty | Uncertainty |
|---|---|
| I am sure; I am absolutely sure. I am certain. Definitely. Of course. must | I am not sure. I am not sure. Definitely, not. Certainly, not. I am not certain. |
Example
- I am sure. Mark and his wife will come today.
- I am not sure, but he might steal that cell phone.
- He's got a lot of factories and cars. He must be rich.
Exercise
What would you say in the following situations?
- Will you go to France to continue your higher education? You: (express uncertainty)
- Will you get the first mark in English all over Morocco? You: (express certainty)
16. Possibility
Key Rule
Possibility: may, might, can, could
Example
- I may go to the movies tonight.
- He might arrive now.
- It can be very cold in Canada.
- The kid could lose the directions.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the right answer.
- Where's Sandy? I don't know. She ______ be in the park. (must - could - have to)
- I called him but no answer. He ______ have left the office. (might - should - needn't)
- It _____ get hot there ; take off your coat. (must - can - have to)
- They ____ have finished early if they had started early. (should - could - will)
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