Let's see what comes to mind — no notes, and don't worry about mistakes.
Complete this true sentence about yourself:
"I speak two languages."
Say two things you can do and one thing you can't do — anything at all.
Customer: Excuse me, could you bring some more water, please?
Waiter: Of course, one moment.
Why "could" here, and not "can"? Both are grammatically fine. Say your idea out loud before you check.
For rules and things you need to do — at work, at home, or anywhere.
Three everyday rules:
Before you check: does "must" ever change its form? What about "have to"?
1. The new intern starts on Monday.
Tell them the rule: "He by 8 am every day."
2. A sign at the swimming pool has a rule about hygiene.
"Swimmers before entering the pool."
Say two rules from your own job, school or home using must or have to. For example: "At home, we have to..."
Two negative forms that look similar but mean completely different things.
What's the difference in meaning between the first sentence and the other two?
1. A sign in the museum protects the paintings.
"Visitors the paintings."
2. Your friend says the meeting isn't urgent — you can go tomorrow instead.
Tell another friend: "We today — we can go tomorrow."
3. Choose the right option. "This lift is out of order, so you ___ use it."
Say two things you mustn't do at work or school, and two things you don't have to do this week.
Softer language — for giving advice and for asking people for things nicely.
What comes straight after "should" and "shouldn't"? And what comes straight after "could you"?
1. Your friend has a terrible headache.
Give advice: "You some water and rest for a while."
2. Your friend eats fast food every night.
Give gentle advice: "You fast food every night — try cooking sometimes."
3. You're in a restaurant and want the bill. Make this polite.
Direct: "Bring the bill." Polite: " the bill, please?"
Role-play: order a drink or some food in a café politely, then ask the server for one more thing using "Could you...?"
Time to put rules, advice and polite requests together in one real situation.
Imagine a new coworker or flatmate starts today. Tell them about the place — the rules and one piece of advice.
Talk out loud for one minute. Try to answer:
Write a short message (3–5 sentences) to a new flatmate or coworker. Explain one rule they must follow or have to do, one thing that's not allowed or not necessary, and give one piece of advice. The checker will tell you which ones it finds.
Real life doesn't tell you which form to use. Here everything is mixed — you decide.
Each sentence has one grammar mistake. Rewrite the whole sentence correctly.
1. "You must to arrive on time every day."
2. "I don't must work on Sundays."
3. "You should to try the new restaurant downtown."
4. "He have to finish his homework before dinner."
5. Notice on the staff door: "Employees ___ wear a name badge at all times."
6. "It's a public holiday today, so you ___ go to work."
7. You need the waiter's help. Which is the most polite way to ask?
One-minute challenge: imagine you're explaining the rules of your home to a new roommate. Say two things they must do, one thing they mustn't do, one thing they don't have to do, and one piece of advice with should. Time yourself for one minute, or reuse the timer on the speaking tab.
1. Complete with the correct verb form: "My sister in a hospital." (work)
2. Say it out loud: what's the difference between "can" and "could" when you ask someone for something politely?
3. At passport control, a sign says: "All passengers a valid passport."
4. Notice on a train: "Passengers their feet on the seats."
5. Your friend is stressed and not sleeping well. Give advice: "You going to bed earlier."
Which practice helped you most today — fixing the mistakes, choosing the right form, or the speaking tasks? Say why you think that one worked for you.
At the start we said: rules, advice, and polite requests. Tick what's true: