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Lesson 17
by Paolo Rossetti

Level  : Intermediate
Topic  : Horoscopes
Grammar: Modals - degrees of certainty

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Vocaulary

Capricorn Horoscope for Jun 16, 1998

The Sun is in Gemini and the Moon is in Pisces. This is a good day to
make changes regarding the work you're doing. It might mean you have to
learn new skills, but that's all right. You're also in the mood to take
on that sort of challenge. You might be confronted today in a way that
brings this all to a head. If you've been secretly troubled, but haven't
wanted to say anything, that's definitely the case. A change in plans
could disrupt your schedule and make it obvious what you need to do
next. Instead of shying away from a relatively difficult situation, use
it to motivate yourself. Sometimes it takes a little bit of upset to
give you the nudge you need to get on to the next part of your
development. Today, you could get that nudge.

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EXERCISE 17.1 - Vocabulary

Please match the words on the left with the meanings on the right.

 1. a horoscope                        a. hint at something
 2. to be in the mood                  b. conclude; to finalize
 3. to take on something               c. accept a challenge
 4. to confront                        d. show or define clearly
 5. to bring to a head                 e. prediction based on star alignment
 6. to be the case                     f. feel like you want to do something
 7. to disrupt                         g. escape from; avoid
 8. to make it obvious                 h. that's the situation
 9. to shy away                        i. make trouble; interrupt
10. to give someone the nudge          j. face some difficulty

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EXERCISE 17.2 - Grammar

Since the writer of the horoscope is predicting what will happen to you,
s/he must present the predictions in varying degrees of certainty.

        Where is Jacob?

        (100% sure)     He is at home.
        (95% sure)      He must be at home.
        (50% sure)      He may be at home. / He might be at home. /
                        He could be at home.

Clearly then, if I say: "You might meet the love of your life tomorrow."
do not believe me!
'may' 'might' and 'could' in this case have the same meaning.

Please fill in the blanks.

1. - Did you notice that your boss is always tired?
   - Yes, he ...... work until late at night every day.

2. - Hello, may I speak to Jerry Springer please?
   - I'm sorry, you ...... have the wrong number. There is no Jerry here.

3. - The Personnel Department just bought new computers for everyone!
   - They ...... come to regret that decision if they didn't budget for
     training costs.

4. - You look a little pale, are you feeling OK?
   - Well, not really. I ...... be getting sick.

5. - Why is the baby crying so much today?
   - Oh, I don't know. I've fed her, bathed her, carried her, sung
     to her... I've done everything possible!
   - Hmmm..she ...... have an upset stomach.

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EXERCISE 17.3 - Reading Comprehension

Please read the text and choose the correct answers.

1.  What is the purpose of this text?
       (to predict the future; to offer advice for the future;
        to understand one's personality)

2.  What will Capricorns think about the coming changes?
        (they will accept the challenge; they will avoid them;
         they will try to learn new skills)

3.  What should Capricorns do when faced by a difficult situation?
        (shy away and wait until it's past;
         use it to provide motivation to themselves;
         seek advice from a good friend)

4.  What will 'the nudge' be?
        (a suggestion; trouble; a misunderstanding)

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