Review &Advice Lab
Review Lab · agony-aunt roleplay
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Review Lab
A checkpoint, not a test.
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up — no pressure
In pairs, list as many modal verbs from this unit as you can in 60 seconds.
Have you ever read or written to an advice column? What kind of problems do people ask about?
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Grammar recap · Section 2
8–10 minModals review: ability, advice, obligation, requests
Read the examples. What is the pattern? Say the rule in your own words first.
→ I can speak Italian, but I couldn't speak it well two years ago.
→ You should see a doctor about that cough.
→ You must wear a seatbelt in this country — it's the law.
→ You don't have to come if you're busy, but you mustn't be late if you do.
→ Would you mind helping me carry this?
Reveal the rule
This unit covered four families of modal meaning.
More detail
ABILITY: can/could/be able to. ADVICE: should/shouldn't, ought to, had better. OBLIGATION: must/have to (strong obligation) and mustn't/don't have to (very different meanings — mustn't = forbidden, don't have to = not necessary). REQUESTS: Could you…? and Would you mind + -ing. Mixing these up is the most common B1 error — for example, confusing 'must' (personal obligation) with 'have to' (external rule), or using 'could' instead of 'was able to' for a specific past success.
| Category | Key modals | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ability | can / could / be able to | I was able to finish on time. |
| Advice | should / ought to / had better | You'd better leave now. |
| Obligation | must / have to / mustn't / don't have to | You mustn't smoke here. |
| Requests | Could you…? / Would you mind…? | Would you mind closing the door? |
Common mistake
'Mustn't' (forbidden) and 'don't have to' (not necessary) are opposites — don't confuse them.
Memory tip
Ability = skill, Advice = opinion, Obligation = rule, Requests = asking politely — four different jobs, four different modal families.
Challenge 1.You ____ be quiet in the library — it's a rule.
Challenge 2.You look tired — you ____ get some rest.
Challenge 3.As a child, I ____ swim, but I can't remember how now.
Challenge 4.____ you mind passing the water, please?
Challenge 5.You ____ touch that — it's dangerous.
Challenge 6.You ____ come to the party if you don't want to — it's optional.
Challenge 7.After months of training, she ____ finally run a marathon.
Vocabulary recap · Section 3
5–7 minRecycle your toolkit
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
agony aunt
a person who gives advice in a newspaper/magazine column
"She wrote to the agony aunt about her problem."
Would you ever write to an agony aunt?
to weigh up
to consider carefully before deciding
"Weigh up the pros and cons before deciding."
What's something you had to weigh up recently?
a dilemma
a difficult choice between two options
"She's facing a real dilemma at work."
Describe a dilemma you've faced.
to confide in
to tell someone a secret or private worry
"I confide in my sister about most things."
Who do you confide in?
reassurance
comfort that removes doubt or fear
"He needed some reassurance before the exam."
When did you last need reassurance?
to make amends
to do something to correct a past wrong
"He tried to make amends for being late."
How could someone make amends after a mistake?
Discuss with a partner
- →Do you find it easy to confide in people, or do you keep problems to yourself?
- →Describe a dilemma where you had to weigh up two difficult options.
Finish the sentence about you
- If I were an agony aunt, I'd tell them… …
- I once had to weigh up whether to… …
- I always confide in… when… …
60-second write
In 60 seconds, write one sentence of advice for someone starting a new job, using a modal verb.
Pronunciation polish · Section 4
3–4 minWeak forms of modal verbs in connected speech
- • You have to go. → /jə hæftə gəʊ/
- • I must admit. → /aɪ məst ədmɪt/
- • You should try it. → /jə ʃəd traɪ ɪt/
- • Could you help? → /kʊdʒə help/
How to say it
In fast, natural speech, modals like 'have to' /hæftə/, 'must' /məst/ and 'should' /ʃəd/ are often reduced. Recognising these weak forms is essential for listening, even though we usually teach the full forms for clarity in speaking practice.
Reading challenge · Section 5
8–10 minDear Agony Aunt
Dear Agony Aunt, I have a dilemma and I don't know who else to confide in. My best friend borrowed a large amount of money from me six months ago and still hasn't paid it back. I know I shouldn't have lent it without a plan, but I was able to help her when she really needed it, and I don't regret that. The problem is, I don't have to remind her constantly, but I feel like I must say something soon, or the friendship will suffer anyway. Should I just let it go, or would it be reasonable to ask for the money directly? I don't want to seem petty, but I also can't keep pretending everything's fine. What do you think I ought to do? Signed, Owed and Anxious. Dear Owed and Anxious, You mustn't let this fester any longer — silence usually makes things worse, not better. You should have a calm, honest conversation with her; you could say something like, 'Would you mind letting me know when you'll be able to pay me back?' That's a polite request, not an accusation. Good friendships can survive honesty far better than resentment, so I really think you must speak up.
Read once for the overall message. Decide true or false first, then answer from memory — check the text only to find the sentence that proves you right.
Q1.The writer's friend repaid the money quickly.
Q2.The agony aunt suggests the writer should speak up.
Q3.The agony aunt recommends an accusatory tone.
Q4.The writer says she was able to help her friend when needed.
Answer from memory first. Type what you think, and only open the choices if you need them.
Challenge 1.What is the writer's dilemma?
Challenge 2.What does the agony aunt advise?
Challenge 3.What suggested phrase does the agony aunt give?
Listening challenge · Section 6
8–10 minRadio advice show
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Host:Our next caller has a question about a difficult flatmate situation. Go ahead.
Caller:Hi, so my flatmate never cleans up, and I don't know if I should say something or just let it go.
Host:Well, you shouldn't ignore it forever — that usually leads to resentment. You could try a calm conversation first.
Caller:I've tried, but nothing changes. Do I have to just accept it?
Host:No, you don't have to accept it. You could suggest a cleaning rota, or even say, 'Would you mind doing the dishes more often?'
Caller:That sounds better than what I was going to say!
Host:It's important — you mustn't let small issues turn into a big argument.
First listening: catch the language, not the details. Tick what you hear, then listen again for the answers.
Challenge 1.What is the caller's problem?
Challenge 2.What does the host suggest first?
Challenge 3.What alternative phrase does the host suggest?
Skills challenge · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Speaking Part 3/4 (giving advice and opinions)
Task
Give advice on a personal problem and justify your opinion.
Strategy
Combine modal families for range and nuance: state obligation ('You have to...'), soften it with advice ('but I think you should also...'), then add a polite suggestion ('Would you mind trying...?'). Examiners reward candidates who use a variety of modal forms accurately rather than repeating 'should' throughout.
Example
'You don't have to solve everything at once, but I think you should talk to them honestly. Would you mind starting with a simple message?'
Fluency builder · Section 8
8–10 minQuick-fire practice
Q1.Give a piece of advice using 'should':
Q2.Express a strong obligation using 'must':
Q3.Make a polite request using 'Would you mind…?':
Challenge 1.You ____ arrive late for the interview — it's very important.
Challenge 2.You ____ bring anything to the party, it's all provided.
Challenge 3.____ you mind giving me some feedback on my essay?
Challenge 4.I ____ ride a bike when I was six.
Challenge 5.You ____ apologise — it will really help.
Writing challenge · Section 9
5 minShow what you can do
Plan first: three bullet points, then study the model and notice how it links ideas. Write only after that.
Your task
Write an agony-aunt reply (120-150 words) to a problem of your choice, using at least four different modal verbs from this unit (ability, advice, obligation, requests).
Plan (3 bullets)
- 1. What is the situation?
- 2. What are your two main points?
- 3. How will you finish it?
Study the model
Dear Worried, First of all, you mustn't feel guilty — everyone makes mistakes at work sometimes. You should speak to your colleague honestly and explain what happened; it's much better than staying silent. You don't have to apologise excessively, but a sincere 'sorry' would help. If you're nervous, you could practise what to say beforehand, or even write it down. Would you mind asking a trusted friend to listen to your explanation first? That way you'll feel more confident. Remember, as a teenager you were able to handle much harder situations than this, so I'm sure you'll manage now too. In the end, honest communication will help far more than avoiding the problem. Good luck, and let me know how it goes! Yours, The Agony Aunt
Communication lab · Section 10
10–15 minTalk it out
AGONY AUNT ROLEPLAY · Pairs. One student is the 'agony aunt/uncle', the other presents a real or invented problem. The advice-giver must use at least one modal from each category (ability, advice, obligation, request). Swap roles and compare advice styles.
Useful phrases
- • You really should…
- • You don't have to…, but you must…
- • Would you mind trying…?
- • I was able to deal with something similar by…
- • You mustn't feel bad about…
Decide & report
Work through the situation and agree on one decision together. Then report your decision in 30 seconds, giving two reasons.
- AI don't know whether I should quit my job or not.
- B_______________
- AWould you mind giving me some advice about it?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
As a review lab, this lesson should surface and correct persistent errors from across the unit — especially mustn't/don't have to confusion and could/was able to misuse. ~35 min total
Keep it going · Section 11
Take-homeExtend it at home
Write your own agony-aunt problem letter (80-100 words) using at least three modal verbs.
Record a 1-minute piece of advice for a friend using at least two different modal categories.
Find and note three modal verbs used in an online advice column or forum.
Checkpoint reflection · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've reviewed
- Ability: can / could / be able to.
- Advice: should / ought to / had better.
- Obligation: must / have to; mustn't (forbidden) vs don't have to (not necessary).
- Requests: Could you…? / Would you mind + -ing?
- Combining modal families accurately shows real fluency at B1 level.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 30 again.
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