Obligation, Need and Probability (Vocabulary)

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Obligation

  • There's no bus service, so I have to walk to work. I really must get a bicycle to avoid it.
  • The company is obliged to give a refund if the tour is cancelled.
  • You will be liable to pay tax if you work.
  • The bank robbers forced him at gunpoint to open the safe.
  • We had no choice/ alternative but to sell our home; we owed the bank $100.000.
  • The death sentence is mandatory for drug-smuggling in some countries.
  • Was sport compulsory/ obligatory at your school? No, it was optional at mine.
  • I am exempt from tax as I'm a student. 
  • You don't need to/ don't have to/ needn't wash up; we've got a dishwasher.


1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous words in bold and in which situations you have to use them.



Need

  • The grass needs cutting.
  • This plant is  in need of water.
  • The miners dies through a lack of oxygen.
  • There is a shortage of doctors.
  • There's a need for more discussion on the matter.

2. Try to guess the meaning of the previous words in bold and in which situations you have to use them.



Probability

  • It's impossible that he could already be at home, since he left here just ten minutes ago.
  • It seems unlikely that Philp will get the job; he already doesn't have the right qualifications.
  • It is possible that it will rain today.
  • It's very probable that our money will run out next week.
  • It is certain that he deserves to be promoted.
  • The weather is causing inevitable delays.

3. Try to guess the meaning of the previous words in bold and put them is a scale of probability, from "has to happen" to "cannot happen".



4. List something in your world which...
  • regularly needs cutting.
  • there is a lack of.
  • is obligatory once a year.
  • you are in need of.
  • is inevitable.
  • you no longer have to do.
  • was compulsory when you were at school.



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