VIII. Complete the gaps in the text below using should / shouldn’t or can / can’t.

Police officers in Burton are looking for 38-year-old Brian Poole, a murderer, who escaped from prison this morning. “This man is extremely dangerous,” said Superintendent Michael Walsh earlier today. “Anyone who sees him (1) ___________ try to talk to him or go near him, but (2) ___________ phone the police immediately.”

There is also another man who officers want to interview – a witness saw him sitting in a car near the prison, just before the escape. “We think the car was dark blue, but I (3) __________ give you any more details at the moment,” said the Superintendent. “We would like to hear from anyone who (4) __________ remember seeing a dark blue or black car in that area.”

People who live near the prison are asking how Poole was able to escape from the “high security” prison. “It’s disgusting,” said mother-of-four, Mrs. Jane Thompson, “the government (5) ____________ do something about it – we (6) ___________ feel safe, and we certainly (7) ____________ go out after dark.” A government representative is visiting the prison tomorrow.

IX. Moral issues. Read the following court cases and answer the questions. Decide what sentence you would impose, if any (e.G. Imprisonment).

Case 1

A teacher is doing project work with a class of ten-year-olds and gives a pair of scissors to each group. Unfortunately, one of the girls is severely injured by a pair of scissors and the girl’s parents claim compensation.

Your decision: Should the family get compensation? If so, how much and who should pay? Is the teacher in any way responsible?

Case 2

Mr. and Mrs. Davies were married for 18 years and had one daughter. When they got divorced in 1997, Mr. Davies re-married and his new wife looked after him through his illness until his death in 2005. In his will he left £100,000 to his daughter, £50,000 to his first wife, £50,000 to a lover in London and £50,000 to his golf club. His second wife demanded that the will be changed.

Your decision: Should the will be changed in any way?

Case 3

Mrs. James is stabbed by Mr. Jordan during a row, and starts to lose a lot of blood. She is taken to hospital where it is said that her condition is not critical but she needs a blood transfusion. However, she belongs to a religious sect which does not believe in blood transfusions. She refuses to have one, and dies.

Your decision: Should Mr. Jordan be charged for murder or manslaughter? What should his punishment be? Are the hospital people at all responsible?

Case 4

Mrs. Williams, aged 85, was terminally ill and in great pain. She was given an overdose of sleeping pills by her daughter, who could not bear to see her mother suffering.

Your decision: Should the daughter be prosecuted? If so, what should her punishment be?

X. Modals of speculation

A) Choose the correct verb to complete the conversation.

A: Look! Over there! It’s Ivan Urgant, the showman!

B: No! It can’t / must be him. He’s too old.

A: Are you sure? I think it might / might not be him. He looks very similar!

B: No, it may / must be someone else. Ivan Urgant has blue eyes, not brown.

A: Oh, yes, you’re right. But it could / must be his relative…

B: Why don’t you ask him?

A: No, he must / might get angry!

B) Discuss the conspiracy theories. How true do you think they are? Use must / may / might / can’t to express your opinion.

1. Some businesses control our minds through hidden messages in television pictures.

2. The HIV virus was developed as a biological weapon.

3. Oil companies have found an alternative source of cheap energy, but they are keeping it a secret.

4. Pharmaceutical companies could find cures for many diseases if they really wanted to.

5. The secret services can listen to everything we say.

6. American scientists (or military?) have made contact with aliens.

7. A secret group of politicians and businessmen control most of the world.