Language and Grammar: Give Advice

Role-Play Work in pairs. Choose roles from “Earthquake.” Each partner gives advice about what to do after the earthquake. Use helping verbs like can, could, may, might, and should.

People at Golden Gate Park can help you. You should go there quickly. Only take what you need.

Writing and Grammar: Write Advice

Study the Models When you give people advice, give them ideas of what they should do. Include enough details to explain why they should do it, too.

Not Ok

An earthquake can be dangerous. You should be prepared. You should secure your belongings.

The writer uses some helping verbs to give advice, but there are not many details.

Ok

An earthquake can be dangerous. Vases could tumble off shelves and hit you. Bookshelves and other furniture may fall over on you.

You should be prepared. You should secure your belongings. You can use special wax to attach vases to the shelves. You should fasten bookshelves and furniture to the walls.

Now the reader has more information. The writer uses more helping verbs to add details.

Add Sentences Think of two sentences to add to the OK model above. Use can, could, may, might, or should.

Illustration of a pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN

Imagine that a friend has moved to an area that has earthquakes. Write a letter with advice about what your friend should do and why.

    Remember

  • • Use can to tell what someone or something is able to do.

  • • Use could, may, or might to tell what is possible.

  • • Use should to tell what is good for someone to do.

The people should stay away from the hole in the road.

The people should stay away from the hole in the road.