Level 6 Unit
1 -
Would / Could / Might - more difficult sentences.
Select the correct answers from the choices given. One, two, or three answers to be ticked.
Could, Might & Would - complications
COULD - A physical possibility.
Example: If I were taller, I COULD see over the fence. (but I wouldn't neccesarily do it!)
MIGHT - A question of chance, but not in your control.
Example: You MIGHT see a tiger, if you went into the forest. (There is a tiger, there but not everyone sees it.)
WOULD - A sure consequence.
Example: If you jumped in the water, you WOULD get wet. (At least the person speaking thinks so.)
Note: There are, of course, many sentences where two or all three answers would fit:
(If I were rich I COULD, WOULD or MIGHT buy a Rolls Royce.)
So a wrong answer is not neccessarily grammatically incorrect, only illogical.
To complicate the problem, in America, and more and more in Britain, "could" is used where "might" wouldbe more logical....
In this activity you must decide how many of the words "could" would" "might" can be used in the sentence. There can be one, two or even three correct possibilities for each sentence. If you do not get 3/3 you will be given some help.
Try to get a "feel" for the different sentences.
If plants didn't produce oxygen, animal life _______ not exist.
If she really tried, I'm sure she _______ learn the language quite quickly.
If you wanted to help, you _______ do the dishes.
If profits fell, the company ________ not maintain its investment programme.
Without the city's permission, we _______ not build on the land.
If anaesthetics did not exist, most operations _______ not be undertaken.
If you asked the boss, he ________ give you a raise.
Reception ________ be better, if you tried a different antenna.
If those cables fell, they _______ hurt someone !
Your tent is under a tree. In a storm you ______ be struck by lightening.
Be careful. If that gun goes off, you ______ hit somebody.
I _______ help you if I could.
If John were here, you ________ not speak about him like that!
If the sun exploded, the earth _______ be completely destroyed.
If you had another child, you ______have less tax to pay.
If the company closed, 3000 employees ________ lose their jobs.
If he were over 18, he _______ be able to vote.
If somebody broke into the shop, the alarm ______ ring.
If I knew who took Mary's cat I __________ tell her. She never fed it properly!