modal verbs - reading, choice, questions

Short Story: The Lost Backpack Ali is an international student in London. One day, he loses his backpack on the train. The backpack has his passport, laptop, and homework inside. Ali thinks, “I must find it quickly, because I cannot travel without my passport.” He goes to the train station office. The worker says, “You can check the lost-and-found office. Someone may have brought your backpack there.” Ali walks to the lost-and-found. On the way, he tells himself, “I should stay calm. If I panic, I will not think clearly.” At the office, the worker asks for details. Ali describes his bag. The worker smiles and says, “Yes, we have it! You can take it back after showing your student ID.” Ali shows his ID. The worker returns his backpack. Ali feels happy and relieved. He thinks, “I must be more careful next time. I should always check before leaving the train.” Short Story: The Lost Backpack حِكَايَةٌ قَصِيرَةٌ: الحَقِيبَةُ المَفْقُودَةُ Ali is an international student in London. عَلِيٌّ طَالِبٌ دُوَلِيٌّ فِي لَندَن. One day, he loses his backpack on the train. فِي يَومٍ مِنَ الأَيَّامِ، فَقَدَ حَقِيبَتَهُ فِي القِطَار. The backpack has his passport, laptop, and homework inside. كَانَتِ الحَقِيبَةُ تَحْتَوِي عَلَى جَوَازِ سَفَرِهِ، وَحَاسُوبِهِ المَحْمُولِ، وَوَاجِبَاتِهِ المَنْزِلِيَّةِ. Ali thinks, “I must find it quickly, because I cannot travel without my passport.” فَكَّرَ عَلِيٌّ: "يَجِبُ أَنْ أَجِدَهَا سَرِيعًا، لِأَنَّنِي لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ السَّفَرَ دُونَ جَوَازِ سَفَرِي." He goes to the train station office. ذَهَبَ إِلَى مَكْتَبِ مَحَطَّةِ القِطَار. The worker says, “You can check the lost-and-found office. Someone may have brought your backpack there.” قَالَ لَهُ المُوَظَّفُ: "يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تَتَفَقَّدَ مَكْتَبَ المَفْقُودَاتِ. رُبَّمَا أَحْضَرَ أَحَدٌ حَقِيبَتَكَ إِلَى هُنَاكَ." Ali walks to the lost-and-found. مَشَى عَلِيٌّ نَحْوَ مَكْتَبِ المَفْقُودَاتِ. On the way, he tells himself, “I should stay calm. If I panic, I will not think clearly.” وَفِي الطَّرِيقِ، قَالَ لِنَفْسِهِ: "يَنْبَغِي أَنْ أَبْقَى هَادِئًا. إِذَا أَصَابَنِي الهَلَعُ، فَلَنْ أُفَكِّرَ بِوُضُوحٍ." At the office, the worker asks for details. فِي المَكْتَبِ، طَلَبَ المُوَظَّفُ تَفَاصِيلَ الحَقِيبَةِ. Ali describes his bag. فَوَصَفَهَا عَلِيٌّ. The worker smiles and says, “Yes, we have it! You can take it back after showing your student ID.” فَابْتَسَمَ المُوَظَّفُ وَقَالَ: "نَعَم، إِنَّهَا لَدَيْنَا! يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تَأْخُذَهَا بَعْدَ أَنْ تُرِيَنِي بَطَاقَةَ الطَّالِبِ." Ali shows his ID. أَرَاهُ عَلِيٌّ بَطَاقَتَهُ. The worker returns his backpack. فَأَعَادَ المُوَظَّفُ الحَقِيبَةَ إِلَيْهِ. Ali feels happy and relieved. شَعَرَ عَلِيٌّ بِالسَّعَادَةِ وَالاِرْتِيَاحِ. He thinks, “I must be more careful next time. I should always check before leaving the train.”

Discussion Questions Why was Ali worried about his backpack? Where did the worker tell Ali he can go? What did Ali say he should do to stay calm? Why did Ali say he must find his backpack quickly? What advice would you give Ali so he doesn’t lose things again?

Reading Comprehension Questions 1. Who found Ali’s backpack? a) A train passenger b) The lost-and-found worker c) His teacher 2. What was inside the backpack? a) Clothes and books b) A passport, laptop, and homework c) Money and keys 3. What did Ali need to show to get his backpack? a) His passport b) His train ticket c) His student ID

Modal Verb Multiple-Choice Cloze Choose the correct modal verb (can, may, must, should) to complete each sentence. 1. You ___ not forget your passport if you travel abroad. a) can b) must c) may 2. If you lose something, you ___ ask at the lost-and-found office. a) should b) may c) must 3. Someone ___ have already found your bag and taken it to the office. a) may b) must c) should 4. When you are nervous, you ___ try to stay calm. a) can b) should c) may 5. After you show your ID, you ___ take your belongings back. a) can b) must c) may

1. Where may you find a lost item if you forget it on a train or bus? You might (possibility) find it at the lost-and-found office at the station, if you are lucky. You can (ability) also ask a station worker for help, it's their job to help customers. Sometimes another passenger might (possibility) bring it to the office, if you're lucky. If it's a valuable item, they might (poss.) keep the item for themselves. Finders keepers, as they say. You must (mandatory) describe your backpack carefully. If you can provide enough details in your description, it's easier to prove that the backpack belongs to you (and not to someone else). You should (its a good idea) always check the seat and floor before leaving. It only takes a moment, and it will (certainty) save you the headache of tracking down your lost valuables. 2. What advice could (possibility) you give a friend who often forgets their belongings? I think they should (good idea) always check their pocket before leaving. They should (good idea) keep important things in a secure place in their bag. They can (ability) use a reminder on their phone to remember items. They must not (mandatory) leave bags on chairs or tables. Good habits should help them avoid losing belongings. 3. How can people stay calm when they lose something important? People can take a deep breath and stay calm. They should think carefully about where they might have lost it. Asking for help can make the problem easier. Losing something can feel stressful, but staying calm helps. You may solve the problem faster if you stay organized.