Bahasa Inggeris notes, unit 3
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Textbook Full Blast Plus 4 Student's Book (Form 4), MM Publications, CEFR-aligned, pages 37-50
What this chapter covers
- I can use may, might and could for possibility, and must and can't to make deductions (3.1)
- I can choose between must, have to, need to, mustn't, don't have to and needn't for obligation, prohibition and no necessity (3.2)
- I can express preference, advice and warning with would rather, had better, should and ought to (3.3)
- I can choose the Past Simple, Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous to link the past with the present (3.4)
- I can use shopping and money vocabulary and the phrasal verbs get round to, get by, get over, put off and put up with (3.5)
- I can read a text about shopping, find its purpose and complete gaps with the missing sentences (3.6)
- I can write a formal letter or email of application with a plan, set phrases and formal language (3.7)
- I can complete a form with the required information (3.8)
In this unit you talk about shopping and money. You practise modal verbs for possibility, obligation and advice, the present perfect tenses, shopping vocabulary, and how to write a formal letter or email of application.
3.1Possibility and deduction: may, might, could, must, can't
Use these verbs when you are not sure about something, or when you work out what is probably true from the evidence.
| Meaning | Modal verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Possible (not sure) | may, might, could (negative: may not, might not) | Tanya may be at home. Ring and see. |
| Almost certainly true | must | Danny has not eaten all day. He must be very hungry. |
| Almost certainly not true | can't | Helen can't be at practice. She has a broken leg. |
Deduction: a sensible conclusion from clues. Use must (sure it is true) and can't (sure it is not true).
For a deduction, the negative of must is can't, not mustn't. "That mustn't be Mr Roberts" is wrong; say "That can't be Mr Roberts."
Quick check. Choose: "Her light is on, so she (may / must) be at home." and "He is only ten. He (mustn't / can't) be the driver."
Show answerHide answer
1. must (the light is a strong clue). 2. can't (a ten-year-old cannot drive).
3.2Obligation, prohibition and no necessity
| Meaning | Forms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation (it is necessary) | must, have to, need to | You must read the instructions first. |
| Prohibition (it is not allowed) | mustn't, can't | You mustn't touch anything. Look at the sign. |
| No necessity (you may, but it is not needed) | don't have to, don't need to, needn't | You don't have to go to the mall to buy a phone. |
mustn't and don't have to are very different. "You mustn't pay" means paying is forbidden. "You don't have to pay" means it is free. For the past use had to and didn't need to.
Sign test: "Do not enter" means you mustn't go in. "Admission free" means you don't have to pay.
Quick check. The concert is free. We ______ pay anything. (mustn't / don't need to)
Show answerHide answer
don't need to. Free means no payment is necessary; it is not forbidden.
3.3Preference, advice and warning
| Function | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Preference | would rather + base verb (+ than + base verb) | I would rather pay in cash than use my credit card. |
| Preference (negative) | would rather not + base verb | I'd rather not go shopping this Saturday. |
| Strong advice or warning | had better (not) + base verb | You had better not spend all your money on games. Your parents will be angry. |
| Advice | should / ought to + base verb | You should buy this jumper. It is a bargain. |
| Advice (negative) | shouldn't / ought not to + base verb | You shouldn't take your sister's things without asking. |
After would rather, had better, should use the base verb with no to. After ought you do need to. Write "had better not go", not "had better to go".
Rewrite with the word given
I prefer walking to going by bus. (would rather)Answer: I would rather walk than go by bus. / I'd rather walk than go by bus.
3.4Linking the past with the present
| Tense | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Simple | Finished time stated or known (yesterday, last week, in June) | I read it yesterday. |
| Present Perfect Simple (have/has + past participle) | Past action with a result now, or an experience; the result or the amount counts | Have you read this book yet? She has baked three cakes so far. |
| Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + -ing) | An action that started in the past and is still going on, or has just stopped; the activity or its length counts | She has been baking cakes all morning. I have been waiting since three o'clock. |
Time words: for, since and how long usually go with the present perfect. A finished time word (last night, ago, yesterday, in 2023) takes the Past Simple.
Do not use the present perfect with a finished time: "I have seen him last night" is wrong. Say "I saw him last night."
Quick check. Complete: "Frank (create) his own website last month." and "He (have) it for a while now."
Show answerHide answer
1. created (last month is finished time, Past Simple). 2. has had ("for a while now" links the past to now; have is not used in the continuous here).
3.5Shopping and money vocabulary
| Group | Words and phrases |
|---|---|
| Money and paying | cash, coins, notes, credit card, cash machine, receipt, change, charge, exchange, afford, broke |
| Price and worth | price (what you pay), cost (the amount to buy or do), value (how much it is worth), worth (RM200 worth of games), good value for money |
| Offers | sale(s), offers, discounts, bargain, two for the price of one, buy one get one free |
| Everyday phrases | cost an arm and a leg, cost a fortune (very expensive), a rip-off (not worth the money), I'm just browsing (looking around), I'm a bit short (not enough money), open 24/7 (all day, every day) |
Phrasal verbs with get and put
| Phrasal verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| get round to | find the time to do something |
| get along / on with | have a friendly relationship with |
| get by | manage to live on little money |
| get over | return to your usual health or happiness |
| get away with | do something wrong without being punished |
| put out | stop something burning |
| put aside | save to use later |
| put off | (1) make you lose interest; (2) delay |
| put up with | accept something annoying without complaining |
| put up | let somebody stay at your house |
Learn a phrasal verb with a sentence of your own. "I must put some pocket money aside every week" is easier to remember than a list.
3.6Reading: how retailers get you to spend
The reading text "Beware!" warns shoppers that shops use tricks to make them buy more. Its purpose is to advise people to be more careful when they shop. Some of the tricks it describes:
- the smell of fresh bread or roast chicken makes you hungry, so you buy more food;
- popular goods are placed in the middle of aisles or at the back so you walk past more products;
- shelves are made to look untidy so you think the goods are reduced in price;
- shops with no windows make you forget the time; fitting rooms and cash desks are far from the entrance; malls have complicated floor plans.
Gapped text strategy
- Read the whole text first for the general idea, then look at the missing sentences.
- Look for reference words (it, they, this, there) and linkers (however, similarly, furthermore) around each gap.
- The sentence must make sense and also fit grammatically. There is one extra sentence you will not use.
Do not choose a sentence only because it has the same words as the text next to the gap. Check what "this" or "they" refers to.
3.7Writing a formal letter or email of application
You write to apply for a job (for example, a part-time shop assistant). The reader is a stranger, so the language is formal.
| Part | What to write | Useful phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Formal greeting | Dear Sir / Madam, or Dear Mr / Ms + surname |
| Opening paragraph | Position you are applying for, where and when you saw the advertisement | I am writing to apply for the position of ... as advertised on ... |
| Main part (2 or 3 paragraphs) | Age, qualifications, experience, interests, why you are suitable | I am able to ... / I have previous experience of working at ... / I consider myself to be ... / I am available to work ... |
| Closing paragraph | Ask for a reply, offer an interview | I look forward to hearing from you. / I am available for an interview at your convenience. |
| Signing off | Yours faithfully (you do not know the name) or Yours sincerely (you know the name), then your full name | Yours faithfully, Erin Peters |
Formal and informal language
| Informal | Formal |
|---|---|
| If you want to talk to me, I can come and see you any time. | I am available for an interview at your convenience. |
| I'm writing because I want to know more about the ad. | I am writing with regard to your advertisement. |
| Right now I've got a job at the post office. | At present I am working at the post office. |
| I can work on Saturdays, if you like. | I am available to work on Saturdays. |
| I think I'm quite friendly. | I consider myself to be friendly. |
| I can't wait to hear from you. | I look forward to hearing from you. |
Read the advertisement carefully. List what the employer requires (age, hours, qualities) and answer each one. Invent a newspaper or website name and date if none is given. Do not use short forms such as I'm or can't, and never mention bad qualities.
Common mistake: ending "Dear Sir / Madam" with "Yours sincerely". When you do not know the name, use "Yours faithfully".
3.8Completing a form
- Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. You must complete them.
- Write the information in the right box: name, email address, postcode and mailing address are different things.
- Write clearly inside each box. Tick one answer unless the form says otherwise.
Which detail goes where?
Name: Syafeed bin Radzuan. Email: syafeedradzuan33@mail.com. Postcode: 34300. Mailing address: No 4, Jalan Lengkuas, Bagan Serai, Perak.