Modal Verbs Activity

Read and complete the exercises.

The Mystery of Stonehenge

Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization raised a circle of huge, roughly

rectangular stones in a field in what is now Wiltshire, England. Stonehenge, as it
would come to be called, has been a mystery ever since. Building began on the
site around 3100 B.C. and continued in phases up until about 1600 B.C. No written
records exist to explain how or why it was built.

How was Stonehenge built?

The biggest of Stonehenge’s stones, known as sarsens, are up to 30 feet (9
meters) tall and weigh 25 tons (22.6 metric tons) on average. Scientists believe
that they must have been brought from Marlborough Downs, a distance of 20 miles
(32 kilometers) to the north. Transporting the stones that distance can’t have been
easy.
Smaller stones, referred to as “bluestones” (they have a bluish tinge when wet or
freshly broken), weigh up to 4 tons and come from several different sites in western
Wales, having been transported as far as 140 miles (225 km). It’s unknown how
people in antiquity moved them that far. Scientists speculate that during the last ice
age glaciers might have carried these bluestones closer to the Stonehenge area.
An earlier theory was that the builders could have used rafts to transport the stones
over the water. However, more recent research suggests that this method can’t
have been used because of the weight of the stones.

What was Stonehenge?

There are a number of theories as to what the site was used for. Archaeologists
agree that the site must have had a spiritual significance. It may have originally
been a cemetery, according to a new study. After examining bones exhumed near
the stones, scientists believe that the burials must have taken place at the same
time as Stonehenge was built, suggesting that the stones could have been
gravestones for religious or political elite.
Stonehenge may have been constructed with the sun in mind. One avenue
connecting the monument with the nearby River Avon aligns with the sun on the
winter solstice; archaeological evidence reveals that pigs were slaughtered at
Stonehenge in December and January, suggesting that ancient pagan sun
celebrations might have taken place there. 
Steven Waller, a researcher in archaeoacoustics has revealed that before part of
the ring collapsed it must have had excellent acoustics and speculates that it might
have been an ancient concert hall or cathedral.
Wild theories about Stonehenge have persisted since the Middle Ages. Some say
Merlin the wizard may have cast a spell to make the rocks as light as a feather to
help with the construction. UFO enthusiasts believe that ancient aliens could have
built Stonehenge as a spacecraft landing pad.
1. Answer the questions using past modals: 

1. Scientists are almost certain that the stones had a religious significance.
Scientists believe that the stones________________________ a religious
significance.
2. Scientists think that it’s impossible that the stones came from a different
island.
Scientists think that the stones ____________________________ from a
different island.
3. It’s possible that the stones were carved to resemble a famous leader of
the tribe.
The stones ________________________________ to resemble a famous
leader of the tribe.
4. Some people believe that there’s a possibility that the stones came from
another planet.
Some people believe that the stones ___________________________from
another planet.

2. Complete the exercise.

A POLICE INVESTIGATION: THE MURDER

THE POLICE

Inspector Robins, from Scotland Yard is at poor Mrs. Sovin’s House.

THE VICTIM

Mrs Sovin is dead. Somebody has killed her, cutting her throat with a knife.
THE MONEY

They have also stolen all her money and jewellery

Mrs. Sovin was very rich, but misery, very misery. Somebody knew that. Somebody
knew where her money and jewels were. That person has killed her and stolen
everything.

Mrs. Sovin had been alone in the house all morning.

Only four people had keys to the house:

THE SUSPECTS

Joanna, James, Stanley, Peter,

the maid the gardener the nephew the chauffeur

THEIR ALIBI

Joanna said she had gone to Sussex because of her aunt’s illness. She took the nine o’clock train.

James, the gardener, had stayed in his house because it was his free day.

Stanley, Mrs. Sovin’s nephew had been to university because he had a lesson there.

Peter, the chauffeur, had gone to the theatre to buy some tickets for poor Mrs. Sovin.
Explain how do you think the murder happened, who did it and why. Use past
deduction with modal verbs

Examples:

He/she must have killed Mrs. Sovin because…

He/she could/might/can’t have killed her because…

3. Complete the sentences with the modals CAN, CAN'T, COULD,

COULDN’T.

1. When Tom was 16, he was a fast runner. He ______ run 200 metres in 22
seconds.
a) Can
b) Could
c) Can’t
d) Couldn’t

2. I'm afraid I ______ come to your party next Saturday.

a) Can
b) Could
c) Can’t
d) Couldn’t

3. I'm not in a hurry. I've got plenty of time. I _______ wait.

a) Can
b) Could
c) Can’t
d) Couldn’t
4. I was feeling terribly sick yesterday. I ________ eat anything.
a) Can
b) Could
c) Can’t
d) Couldn’t

5. Can you speak loudly, please? I _______ hear you very well.
a) Can
b) Could
c) Can’t
d) Couldn’t

6. "You look exhausted." "Yes, I _________ sleep last night.

a) Can
b) Could
c) Can’t
d) Couldn’t

4. Listening comprehension.

1. Carol: I'm worried about him. We ___________________ something.

He's been depressed for months.

2. Jake: Oh, you know George. He's changeable like the weather.
He __________________ next week.

3. Carol: Jake, he's your brother and ___________ worried about him.
Aren't you?
4. Jake: Yes, I am, but you know how independent he is. We can't help him
if he doesn't want it, ______________?

5. Carol: Well, I feel guilty. He is family after all. We ___________ problems

in the family or they will just get bigger. I know that from my own family.

6. Carol: No, you don't have to do that, but he ___________ things with

other people that he knows.

7. Carol: Of course. You know, if you take George out, he ___________

somebody.

8. Carol: Well, he ___________ new in his terrible apartment, can he?

Watching baseball 24 hours a day.

9. Carol: George should ___________ his ex-wife and remember he's still a
young man!