📝 Daily Practice
🎯 Lesson Goal
This lesson helps you learn how to talk about solving problems. You will practise using modal verbs to give advice, suggest solutions, and explain reasons for problems.
🧠 Grammar Focus
We use modal verbs like should, must, and could to talk about problem solving. Use ‘should’ to give advice or suggestions. For example, ‘You should check the printer.’ ‘Must’ shows a strong idea or rule, like ‘You must restart the computer.’ ‘Could’ is for possible solutions, for example, ‘You could ask a colleague for help.’ These verbs help explain options and advice clearly in work or daily life. The structure is: modal verb + base verb (without to). Example: She should call the technician. He must update the software. They could try a different method. We use modals when we want to recommend actions or explain what is necessary or possible.
📖 Short Reading
Maria works in an office and today she had a problem with the internet. She must finish her report, but the connection stopped working. She called the IT support and they told her she should restart the router. Maria did this, but the internet was still slow. Then, she thought she could try using a phone hotspot instead. After some time, the internet was faster, and she finished her work. Maria knows that if a problem happens again, she should ask the IT team for help quickly. She also understands she must keep calm and think about different solutions. This way, she can solve problems more easily at work.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1. You ____ restart the computer if it is not working. (must / could / should)
2. If you have a problem, you ____ call support. (should / must / could)
3. She ____ try using a different internet connection. (must / could / should)
4. You ____ be calm when you solve problems. (should / must / could)
5. They ____ check the router before calling IT. (must / could / should)
6. You ____ turn off the device and turn it on again. (should / must / could)
7. We ____ ask a colleague for help if needed. (must / should / could)
8. She ____ finish her work today; it is very important. (could / must / should)
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1. Restart the router
2. Call IT support
3. Use a hotspot
4. Be calm
5. Problem
6. Solution
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1. What should Maria do if the internet does not work?
2. If the router does not help, what could she do?
3. When solving problems, you ____ stay calm.
4. Calling IT support is a good idea if you ____ internet problems.
5. You ____ restart the device if it does not work properly.
6. What could be a solution if the internet is slow?
📝 Writing Practice
1. Describe a time when you solved a problem at work or school. What did you do?
2. Write about some advice you would give to someone who has a computer problem.
3. Explain how you usually stay calm when you face a difficult situation.
📚 Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| restart | to turn off and on again |
| router | a device that connects to the internet |
| hotspot | internet connection from a phone |
| support | help from experts |
| connection | a way to join or link |
| slow | not fast |
| solution | an answer to a problem |
| calm | not nervous or angry |
| advise | to give suggestions |
| problem | a difficult situation |
| necessary | needed |
🔎 Answer Key
- exercise_1_fill_blanks: 1.must 2.should 3.could 4.should 5.should 6.must 7.could 8.must
- exercise_2_matching: 1.Restart the router – Turn off and on the device 2.Call IT support – Ask experts for help 3.Use a hotspot – Connect to the internet with a phone 4.Be calm – Stay relaxed during problems 5.Problem – Difficult situation 6.Solution – Answer to a problem
- exercise_3_multiple_choice: 1.She should restart the router. 2.She could use a phone hotspot. 3.should 4.have 5.must 6.Use hotspot from phone.
🤖 Need More Help?
The SFC Learning Assistant is a custom ChatGPT assistant created for StartFreeCourses lessons.
It can explain grammar in simpler words, give extra examples, and create more practice for this lesson.
You can use it with your own ChatGPT account. A free ChatGPT account is enough to open the assistant. If you are not logged in, ChatGPT will ask you to sign in before opening the assistant.
This assistant is optimized for the StartFreeCourses learning style: simple explanations, beginner-friendly examples, and practical English practice.