Exam Contents
Exam Contents
1. VOCABULARY
2. QUESTION TAGS
3. MODAL PERFECTS
4. WISH / IF ONLY
1. VOCABULARY
2. QUESTION TAGS
We can add question tags like isn't it?, c
an you? or didn't they? to a statement to make it into
a question. Question tags are more common in speaking than writing.
We often use question tags when we expect the listener to agree with our statement. In this
case, when the statement is positive, we use a negative question tag.
Formation
If there is an auxiliary verb in the statement, we use it to form the question tag.
Sometimes there is no auxiliary verb already in the statement. For example, when:
... the verb in the statement is present simple or past simple and is positive. Here we use don't,
doesn't or didn't:
... the verb in the statement is to be in the present simple or past simple. In this case we use to
be to make the question tag:
... the verb in the statement is a modal verb. Here we use the modal verb to make the question
tag:
They could hear me, couldn't they?
You won't tell anyone, will you?
If the main verb or auxiliary verb in the statement is am, the positive question tag is am I? but
the negative question tag is usually aren't I?:
3. MODAL PERFECTS
1. must have done = we are almost sure something happened in the past
• Jane wasn't feeling well yesterday. She must have caught a cold.
• Bill didn't answer the phone when I called him. He must have fallen asleep.
2. can't have done = we are almost sure something did not happen in the past
• She can't have forgotten to send you an invitation. I gave her your address.
• They can't have gone to bed late. They were very tired.
3. may / might / could have done = it is possible that something happened in the past but we
aren't sure.
• Laura hasn't arrived yet. She may/might/could have missed the bus.
4. could have done = we had the ability to do something in the past but did not do it.
• She could have called me when she arrived but she forgot.
5. should have done = (a) it was the right thing to do but we didn't do it.
(b) we expected something to happen but it didn't.
• They would have emailed you but the Internet was down yesterday.
• I would have bought that DVD but I didn't have enough money.
• You needn't have gone to the supermarket. I've already done the shopping.
• The weather was warm and sunny. I needn't have taken an umbrella.
4. WISH / IF ONLY