Modal Verbs of Possibility - Reading Passage

• Modal Verbs of Possibility - Reading Passage

• The Mystery of the Missing Cookies

• Emily loves baking. Yesterday, she baked a delicious batch of chocolate chip cookies. She put them on a plate and left them on the kitchen counter. When she came back, the cookies were gone!

• "Who ate the cookies?" Emily asked.

• "I don't know," said her little brother, Tom. "Maybe the dog ate them?"

• "No," said Emily. "The dog doesn't like chocolate cookies."

• "Maybe the cat?" suggested her friend, Lily. "The cat could have hidden them under the sofa."

• "The cat wasn't even in the house!" said Emily.

• "Could it be the mouse?" queried Tom. "Mice can be sneaky."

• Who is the most likely thief ?

• Multiple Choice:* Choose the best answer.

1. Could the dog have eaten the cookies?

• a) Yes, it's possible.
• b) No, it's not possible.
• c) Maybe.

2. Might the cat have taken the cookies?

• a) Yes, this is a possibility.
• b) No, definitively not possible.
• c) It is unlikely.

3. Should Emily assume the mouse ate the cookies?

• a) Yes, she should.
• b) No, it's not a logical conclusion.
• c) Maybe.

4. Where have the cookies gone under the assumptions listed above?

• a) The dog ate them.

• b) the cat hid them under the sofa.

• c) The mouse, which is sneaky, ate them.

• Answer Key:

1. a. Yes, it's possible.
2. a. Yes, this is a possibility
3. b. No, it's not a logical conclusion
4. No correct answer is given.

Study Notes - Modal Verbs of Possibility

• Introduction:

• Modal verbs are helping verbs that express possibility, ability, permission, or obligation. They come before the main verb in a sentence.

• Key Modal Verbs for Possibility:

• Can: This expresses ability or possibility. Example: "The cat can jump high." or "He can play the piano."

• Could: This expresses a lesser degree of possibility. Example: "The keys could be in the drawer." "Maybe she could win the prize".

• Might: This implies a very slight possibility. *Example: "It might rain today." or "Someone might have taken the cookies."

• May: This expresses a possibility similar to might. *Example: "It may be an interesting topic." "The culprit may have left a clue."

• Distinguishing between different modal verbs:

• The difference between could and might depends on different degrees of possibility. Might shows a lower probability than could.

• Using Modal Verbs in Questions:

• Modal verbs are used in questions to express a hypothetical idea. Example: "Could you pass the salt?" "Might anyone have seen the cookies?"

• Conclusion:

• Mastering modal verbs, especially their usage in expressing probability, is crucial for a deeper understanding of English grammar.

Test your understanding of modal verbs of possibility through a fun reading passage about Emily and her missing cookies. Answer multiple choice questions to identify the most likely thief using modal verbs. It's a great way to reinforce grammatical concepts while enjoying a lighthearted story.