Task 2. A) Complete the second sentence so it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use a word or phrase from the box

can’t might should have to don’t have to ought to cant’ be might be must be should be

1. It would be a good idea to bring in a firm of outsde consultants.

We __________ bring in a firm of outside consultants.

2. It’s not necessary for you to leave a deposit.

You ___________ leave a deposit.

3. I’m sure that isn’t John, because he’s in Paris.

That ___________ John, because he’s in Paris.

4. Anne is almost certainly with a customer.

Anne ___________ with a customer.

5. I expect the meeting will be finished by ten.

The meeting __________ finished by ten.

6. It’s possible that I’ll be late.

I _________ late.

7. We are not allowed to dispose of waste in that way.

We ____________ dispose of waste in that way.

8. Perhaps our interests will differ on this issue.

Our interests ______________ differ on this issue.

9. It’s the rule that we need to check all bank references.

We ___________ check all bank references.

10. At this point it’s better that I disclose a personal interest in the matter.

At this point I _____________ disclose a personal interest in the matter.

B) Complete the sentences with the words or phrases in the box.

have to had to don’t have to didn’t have to must mustn’t must have might have should could

1. We’re trying a new dress code. We __________________ wear formal clothes on Fridays.

2. You ________________ touch that red button! The whole production line will stop!

3. I’m not sure, but I think I _____________ made a mistake.

4. Before we agree, we’ll _______________ study the contract in more detail.

5. Is that the time? I really _____________ go now.

6. If you needed the goods urgently, we ______________________ speed up the order.

7. Sorry I’m late, but I _______________ talk to a contractor about some maintenance work.

8. It _______________ been embarrassing for you to forget his name.

9. I think we _____________ accept their offer. It’s the best we’’ get.

10. Luckily, we ______________ borrow too much money for the mortgage on our house.

(Paul Emmerson Business Grammar Builder)

Task 3. Read the following text and make a list of the decisions that are mentioned. Then, usingcould have, suggest what alternatives were available in each case.

Richard Simpson used to be a successful financier with the Morgan Grenfell bank in the Cityof London. However, in early 1991, at the age of 32, he decided to leave his job and buy his own business. The company that he chose to buy was ‘Price’s Patent Candle Company’, an old-fashioned candle manufacturer located in south London, which belonged to Shell. Once he had bought it, Simpson’s life style suddenly changed: he took a salry cut of 40%, said goodbye to the company car and moved from his comfortable office into a prefabricated one in the car park. He then decided to bring his father into business to help him and together they made the decision not to sell Price’s subsidiaries. As Simpson says, ‘I’ve got a commitment to the staff and the business.’

Decision Richard Simpson left his job.

Alternative He could have continued working for Morgan Grenfell.

Task 4. Complete this mini-dialogue between two colleagues by putting the verbs in brackets in the correct form, either –ing or to + Infinitive.

- My line manager has asked me __________ (meet) with her next week for my first performance review. I keep __________ (wonder) what I should say.

- Well, since you started ____________ (work) here your performance has been excellent. You deserve _____________ (be) rewarded for all your work.

- Thanks. I considered ____________ (ask) them __________ (raise) my salary at the review meeting, but Anna advised me _________ (wait) a little longer before __________ (ask) for a rise. Instead I might ask for some training. I’d like _________ (learn) _________ (use) our SAP software better.

- It’s a good idea – there’s no point _________ (try) _________ (learn) just by __________ (watch) other people. The software is quite complex, and really we should all be trained ______ (use) it

- Exactly. I don’t want __________ (risk) ________ (lose) any information by ________ (enter) data in the wrong way. Sometimes I think I might even cause the whole system __________ (crash) by ______ (do) something stupid. I’m new in this job and I can’t afford ________(take) risks like that.

- You’re right. I thnk you’ll manage _________ (persuade) them _______ (send) you on the course without any difficulty.

(Paul Emmerson Business Grammar Builder)