Modal Verbs: Theory and Practice
1. Using Modals for Advice and Obligation
Modal Use Examples
Should Advice, recommendation “You should take your cat to the vet if it stops eating.”
Strong obligation,
Must “You must give your dog all its vaccinations.”
necessity
“You ought to consider a second opinion before
Ought to Formal advice
surgery.”
Notes:
“Should” is softer than “must.”
Can be used for personal opinions or general advice.
Practice 1: Complete the sentences
1. If your cat seems very sick, you __________ visit a specialist immediately.
2. Pet owners __________ keep their animals’ vaccinations up to date.
3. You __________ consider adopting a cat from a shelter instead of buying one.
2. Using Modals for Possibility
Modal Use Examples
Might / “Tucker might recover fully after the kidney
Possibility
May transplant.”
Possible outcome or
Could “Donating a kidney could save another cat’s life.”
suggestion
Practice 2: Complete the sentences
1. If the surgery is successful, the cat __________ live another ten years.
2. Visiting a new veterinary clinic __________ help you find better treatment options.
3. A cat hiding its symptoms __________ make it harder to diagnose illness early.
3. Using Modals for Ability
Modal Use Examples
“Cats can hide pain very well.”
Can / Could Ability in present/past
“Last year, the dog could not walk after the accident.”
Practice 3: Choose the correct modal
1. Cats ______ (can / might) survive with just one kidney if monitored carefully.
2. Tucker ______ (could / should) not eat certain foods after surgery.
3. Donor cats ______ (must / can) give a second chance to sick cats.
4. Discussion Using Modals
Topic: “Should people spend $20,000 on a cat kidney transplant?”
Guidelines:
Use should / must / ought to for advice or ethical opinions.
Use might / could to discuss possible outcomes.
Use can / could to describe abilities or limitations of pets.
Example Statements:
“Pet owners should consider the cost, but saving a life might be priceless.”
“Cats can hide symptoms, so early diagnosis could prevent surgery.”
“We must think about donor cats too, as they also deserve a good life.”
Practice 4: Form your own sentences using modals
1. What advice would you give a friend whose cat needs expensive surgery?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What might happen if pet owners ignore their cat’s illness?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. What can cats do that makes veterinary treatment challenging?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Excercises:
Practice 1: Complete the Sentences (Advice & Obligation)
Fill in the blanks with should, must, or ought to:
1. If your cat seems very sick, you __________ visit a specialist immediately.
2. Pet owners __________ keep their animals’ vaccinations up to date.
3. You __________ consider adopting a cat from a shelter instead of buying one.
4. Owners __________ monitor their pets carefully after a major surgery.
5. A cat with kidney problems __________ receive regular blood tests.
6. You __________ talk to a vet before giving your pet any new medication.
7. Families who want to adopt a pet __________ research the animal’s needs first.
8. If your dog shows signs of pain, you __________ take it to a veterinary clinic
immediately.
Practice 2: Complete the Sentences (Possibility – might / could / may)
Fill in the blanks with might, could, or may:
1. Tucker __________ recover fully after his kidney transplant.
2. A cat with hidden illness __________ show no symptoms for months.
3. Giving a kidney from a donor cat __________ save another cat’s life.
4. The surgery __________ be very expensive for some pet owners.
5. Shelter cats __________ become wonderful pets if adopted.
6. Charlie __________ bond with Tucker after the surgery.
7. The medication __________ cause side effects in older cats.
8. Some people __________ think it’s unethical to use donor cats.
Practice 3: Ability (Can / Could)
Fill in the blanks with can or could:
1. Cats __________ hide their pain very well.
2. A skilled veterinarian __________ perform a kidney transplant successfully.
3. Pet owners __________ provide extra care to sick animals at home.
4. Donor cats __________ survive the surgery and live healthy lives.
5. With the right treatment, older cats __________ enjoy several more years.
6. Some cats __________ become aggressive if stressed during hospitalization.
7. Owners __________ learn how to give medication properly to their pets.
8. Veterinary teams __________ save animals even in critical conditions.
Practice 4: Debate / Opinion (Should / Must / Might)
Complete the sentences to express your opinion:
1. People __________ spend a lot of money to save a pet’s life if they can afford it.
2. Veterinarians __________ explain all possible risks before surgery.
3. Owners __________ adopt pets instead of buying if shelters are full.
4. Families __________ think carefully before agreeing to complex surgeries.
5. Donor cats __________ be treated ethically and adopted afterward.
6. Some people think pets __________ be considered part of the family.
7. Spending money on a pet’s surgery __________ improve its quality of life.
8. People __________ weigh the ethical concerns before participating in donor
programs.
Pets and Veterinary Care
Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb: should, must, might, could, can.
Three years ago, Maria’s cat Luna started feeling unwell. Her vet said that her kidneys were
failing. Maria knew that Luna’s life ______ (1) be in danger if she didn’t act quickly. The vet
explained that Luna ______ (2) have a kidney transplant, but it would cost a lot of money.
Maria thought carefully. She decided that she ______ (3) spend whatever it takes to save
Luna. “Some people say it’s selfish,” she said, “but I believe I ______ (4) do everything
possible for her.”
The vet warned that not all cats recover easily. Luna ______ (5) face complications after the
surgery, and her owner ______ (6) continue giving her medication and check-ups for many
years.
Fortunately, the surgery was a success. Luna ______ (7) now live a happy life, and the donor
cat, Milo, ______ (8) also stay healthy and become part of the family.
Pet Medical Decisions
Complete the text with the correct modal verb: should, must, might, could, can, would.
Dr. Rivera is a veterinarian at a busy animal hospital. One morning, Alex brought in his dog,
Max, who had a serious heart condition. The vet explained that Max ______ (1) need heart
surgery to survive, but it ______ (2) be expensive and carries risks.
Alex asked whether Max ______ (3) respond well to medication instead, and Dr. Rivera said
that while it ______ (4) help for a short time, it wouldn’t fully cure the problem. “If you want
Max to live a normal life, you ______ (5) consider the surgery seriously,” she advised.
Later, they discussed the possibility of a stem cell treatment. This new therapy ______ (6)
offer benefits, but the long-term results ______ (7) still be uncertain. The hospital assured
Alex that Max ______ (8) recover fully if the procedure is successful, but it ______ (9) take
months of follow-up care.
Alex knew that making the right decision ______ (10) be challenging, but he wanted to do
what was best for Max.
Conversation:
General Questions About Pets and Care
1. How far would you go to save a pet’s life? Would you spend a lot of money?
2. Do you consider pets part of the family? Why or why not?
3. What are some signs that a cat or dog might be sick?
4. How often do you think pets should go to the vet for check-ups?
5. Have you ever had to make a difficult decision about your pet’s health?
Questions Using Modal Verbs (Should / Must / Might / Could / Can)
6. Should people spend $20,000 or more on a pet’s surgery if they can afford it?
7. Could a kidney transplant really improve a cat’s quality of life?
8. Might some pet owners regret spending so much money on surgery?
9. What can veterinarians do to help owners make ethical decisions about their pets?
10. Must pet owners always follow the vet’s advice, even if it’s expensive?
Ethical Debate Questions
11. Is it ethical to use a donor cat for surgery? Why or why not?
12. Should shelters provide cats for organ donation programs?
13. Could adopting a donor cat after surgery be a good solution for both cats?
14. How might cultural attitudes toward pets affect decisions about expensive surgeries?
15. Do you think pets should have the same level of medical care as humans?
