IV. Children and the law. Read the information below. How old do you think you have to be to do these things in Russia?

Examples: You must be 18 before you can vote.

You can’t vote if you are only 17. You can’t vote until you are 18.

• Vote in an election.

• Adopt a child.

• Buy cigarettes.

• Serve on a jury.

• Ride a motorbike.

• Leave school.

• Drive a car.

• Buy a pet.

• Have full control over money.

• Buy alcohol.

• Get married without parents’ agreement.

• Be sent to prison.

• Apply for your own passport.

• Get married with parents’ agreement.

• Be a candidate in an election.

V. Asking people to do things. Asking permission.

A) Read about each situation and then make a request. Use the word in brackets.

1. It is cold in the restaurant. Ask the waiter to shut the window. (could) ………….

2. You are buying a coat. Ask the assistant for a receipt. (can) ……………………

3. You want to know the time. Ask someone in the street. (could) ………………..

4. You need someone to help you. Ask a friend. (can) ……………………………

5. You have bought some food, but you haven’t got a bag. Ask the assistant. (could) …..

6. You are carrying a tray. Ask someone to clear a space on the table. (can) ………….

7. You are on the phone. You want to speak to the manager. (could) ………………

B) How would you ask for permission in these situations? Use Can I…?, Could I…? or May I…? and the verbs from the box.

borrow see join look at use

1. You are at a friend’s flat. You want to make a phone call.

2. You need a calculator. The person sitting next to you has got one.

3. You have gone into a café. Three people who you know from the university are sitting at a table. You go over to the table.

4. You had to go to the lecture, but you were ill. Your friend went to the lecture and took notes. Next day you are well again and you see your friend.

5. A letter has arrived to the dean’s office with an invitation to a conference in your name. The secretary has it on her desk.

VI. If a word or phrase in bold is correct, put “ok”. If it is incorrect, rewrite it correctly.

1. Can she to drive a car?

2. I can give you a lift tomorrow, if you like.

3. Jack can play the guitar before he learnt to talk!

4. I could get a more expensive computer, but it didn’t seem worth it.

5. You’d better tell the coach if you can’t playing on Saturday.

6. She can’t speak 3 foreign languages – she is so clever!

7. Could I speak to the manager, please?

8. Did you can swim when you were five?

VII. Are you asking for permission (May I…?), or are you asking what the rule is (Am I allowed to…?)? Fill in the gaps.

1. _______________ use your computer?

2. _______________ smoke in this café?

3. _______________ cross the road here?

4. _______________ ask you a personal question?

5. _______________ roller-skate in this park?

6. _______________ drive a car without insurance?

7. _______________ read your magazine?