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# 35

(Note: these exercises are low intermediate (or perhaps intermediate)  so that I have not thought it necessary to study  the differences between such forms  as  I can / I  am able to; I could /  I was able to; I must / I have to; I need  not / I do not have to. The non modal  forms have been omitted altogether, except, of course,  when no modal exists, for instance for the future.)
 

1. Meaning of modal verbs

1.1. Read theses sentences, paying attention to the modal verbs.

1. Since they are multiplexed, only one row / column can be active at a time
2. In 1845, Elisha Graves Otis invented and put into use a railway safety brake, which could be controlled by the engineer
3. The Dedicated reader e-book stores books on removable cards, so you can lend your books to other people
4. You may want to wire an ammeter in series with the tube when you first try this out
5. When the batteries are exhausted, the commander cannot operate the stereo system
6. When the MW tuning interval is changed, stored stations will be erased from the memory
7. These bearings are lubricated at the factory for the lifetime of the machine and should not need further lubrication. DO NOT break the seals.
8. If you see blue "clouds" in the tune, then the neon has got contaminated and another tube should not be used.
9. Take care when using the circuit. If you have an isolation transformer around, use it. Output of this supply can be over 150 VDC
10. After years of unsuccessful experiments, an inventor may accidentally stumble onto the key idea that leads to his or her invention.
11. Ultimately the programme will be able to deliver other new technical solutions that are too difficult to implement today
12. We had to redesign and verify the parallel mechanism for improved stiffness along the spindle axis and radial direction respectively
13. If thus hypothesis proves to be correct, we will have to look for active sound deadening solutions
14. Volvo must have been studying the catalogue of Ikea: the ACC2 contains, of all things, storage boxes.
15. Should any solid object or liquid fall into the component, unplug the system and have the component checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further
16. The program shall not be sold and used outside the USA due to legal restriction
17. The installation should be conform to the following conditions :
18. Cutting oil must not drip directly on the motor.
19. To disconnect the cord, you should never pull the cord, but you should grasp the plug
20. When the battery needs to be replaced, the following will be displayed : bAt
21. Not only must the energy chain be capable of bearing high filling weights, it must also be able to accept cables of different types and diameters
22. The instrument is delivered in a cardboard carton and is protected by an expanding polyurethene from injection process. You should check that it has suffered no mechanical damage in transits
23. The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for damage or injury resulting from improper use
24. Before BT Products from Flen, Sweden managed to overcome the three main problems associated with ac motors:[...], only dc motors could be used on lift trucks
25. At the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the US Air Force last April, chief-of-staff General Ronald Fogleman announced that, "Twenty or twenty-five years from now, the ultimate versions of Joint Strike Fighters could be unmanned planes."
26. Resolution and accuracy with the non-contact linear encoder may not fall below 20nm and +/- 1mm, respectively

1.3. Choose the correct modal

(In some cases several modals are possible, but the meaning may be different. Explain the differences whenever required)

• Current limited resistors down to 166 Ohms (must / can / need no) safely be used t
• You can use different values of resistors, but the ratio of the values of the resistors (must / should/ can ) be same ( 0.5,2,3,4,etc. / 3,6,12,24,etc.)
• Careful : when the MW tuning interval is changed, stored stations (will / should / might ) be erased from the memory
• These foundations are critical and (can / may / should ) be understood by anyone attempting to install...
• Based on Fahrenheit's and Newton's original gradations, average body temperature (must / should / shall ) have been 96 degrees, but due to the imperfect construction of early thermometers, body temperature turned out to be 98.6 degrees
• Minor problems, which can easily be fixed on Earth, (may / should / could not ) turn a multi-million dollar satellite into a piece of orbiting space junk
• Someday soon, we may all be walking around with tiny computers, ready to receive email at any second, in constant contact with the entire world. To many people, that (must not / may not / need not ) sound like a good thing.
• Penny-size data-storage devices can lead to computers on your wrist may / should / will
• In a hybrid system ( battery + fuel cell), the battery (will / might / can ) never run down, as long as the fuel cell is supplied with methanol.
• Neither Sony nor its Distributors (should / might / can ) be liable for any incidental or consequential damages for breach of any express or implied guarantee of this product
• (should / might / can ) this occur, the CD player will not operate.
• Timer-activated operation : Before setting the timer, you (will / may / should ) insert a cassette tape that is long enough
• To select the CD player or the cassette deck, you (button do not have to / may not / might not ) press FUNCTION. You (can / may / should) select them directly by pressing the operation
• The installation site (may / must / might ) be flat and have rigidity and be free from the vibration of motors.
• A positive air source with a capacity of more than 70Ng min at 5 Kgf/cm² is required. This air source (will / may / should) be supplied either through exclusive piping or from an independent air compressor
• Upper and lower latches (can / must / should ) be used either with or without the hook cam., as desired by the customer
• Ambient temperature (should / must / may ) never exceed 40°C.
• With devices such as luminosity sensors and automatic activation of windscreen wipers, the driver (need not / must not / may ) perform these repetitive tasks which uselessly distract his attention

1.4. Each of the two parallel texts expresses the same idea. Fill in the second one with modal verbs so as to express the same meaning
 

Text 1a Dipped headlights that rotate or have ‘wide-angle beams’ – until now European regulation has forbidden this type of refinement. However regulations will very probably be modified by 2005 when it will be possible to use several different light sources to ensure the same function	Text 1b Because of European regulation, cars (be fitted) ________________________ with dipped headlights that rotate or have ‘wide-angle beams’. However regulations (be modified) __________________ by 2005 when engineers (use ) ____________________ several different light sources to ensure the same function
Text 2a Notice for the customers in the United Kingdom The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code: Blue = neutral; Brown = live. As the colours of the wires of this apparatus do not necessarily correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plus, proceed as follows: the wire which is coloured blue is to be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N. [...] Do not connect the wire to  the earth terminal which is marked by E or coloured green or green-and-yellow	Text 2b Notice for the customers in the United Kingdom The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code: Blue = neutral; Brown = live. As the colours of the wires of this apparatus (correspond) _____________________ with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plus, proceed as follows: the wire which is coloured blue (be connected) ______________ to the terminal which is marked with the letter N. [...] The wire (be connected) _________________ to the earth terminal which is marked by E or coloured green or green-and-yellow
Text 3a Soft ferrites in the construction of electrical equipment It is possible to use such materials in the building of transformers, converters and magnetic amplifiers  The airgap alters the off-load voltage ratio of transformers, resulting from leakage inductances . It is therefore necessary to locate the windings as far as possible from the airgap.  In practice, it is advisable to carefully clamp the coil former ( or the bobbin) to avoid risk of motion, as there is a limited but real risk of changing the inductance .  It is also very important  to subject the assembly to a few temperature cycles in order to stabilize the mechanical effects of assembly	Text 3b Soft ferrites in the construction of electrical equipment Such materials (be used) _________________ in the building of transformers, converters and magnetic amplifiers  The airgap alters the off-load voltage ratio of transformers, resulting from leakage inductances . Therefore the windings (be located) _______________ as far as possible from the airgap.  In practice, the coil former ( or the bobbin (be carefully clamped)) ___________________ to avoid risk of motion, which ( change) _____________________ the inductance  The assembly (also / subject ) _____________________  to a few temperature cycles in order to stabilize the mechanical effects of assembly
Text 4a Notes on handling discs To keep the disc clean, it is recommended to handle it by its edge. Never  expose to heat sources or leave it in a car parked in direct sunlight, as the temperature will perhaps rise considerably	Text 4b Notes on handling discs To keep the disc clean, it (handle) ____________________ by its edge.  It (be exposed) ____________________ to heat sources or (leave) ____________ in a car parked in direct sunlight, as there (be) __________________ a considerable rise in the temperature

 

2. Expressing what WAS / IS / WILL BE necessary or mandatory

2.1. Automation of a tube production line

Here is a list of improvements that were / are thought be necessary and the corresponding results that were / are expected
 

	What WAS / IS / WILL be necessary to implement	What result WAS it / IS it / WILL it be possible to achieve
Situation in 1990	double the cutting line add a 3rd cutting line	(b) increase production significantly further improve production
Situation today	automate the line	make the plant more flexible
Situation after the modernisation plan	turn to linear motors fit Web-embedded servers enhance interoperability	achieve greater feed forces, accelerations and traverse speeds the control network and business systems work together decrease staff training costs and increase system maintenance

2.2. Recast with modals as in the following examples

1. We / the enterprise had to double the cutting line
2. We ( the enterprise) were (was) able to / could increase production significantly

1. The cutting line had to be doubled
2. Production could be increased significantly

3.1. Imagine you have a garden around your house. What are the chances of discovering these animals on the lawn?

1. It is impossible to find living dinosaurs since they are extinct (chances =0%)
2. There are very few chances to discover hippopotami wallowing in your garden pond, even if you live near a zoo (chances =5%)
3. But there are some chances to see squirrels there, even in the city centre ( chances = 20%)
4. If your garden is not too far away from a pond, there are perhaps frogs hopping around the lawn ( chances = 50%)
5. It would really be surprising if one day or another you did not find a swallow’s nest in the abandoned shed at the back of the garden (chances = 75%)
6. If your neighbour has got a cat, there are very good chances to find it crossing the alleys ( chances = 95%)
7. You are sure to see plenty of birds flying around the garden ( chances = 100%)

1. One cannot find living dinosaurs since they are extinct (chances =0%)
2. You are (very) unlikely to discover hippopotami wallowing in your garden pond, even if you live near a zoo (chances =5%)
3. You might / could see squirrels there, even in the city centre ( chances = 20%)
4. You may / can happen to see frogs hopping around the lawn especially if the garden is not too far away from a pond ( chances = 50%)
5. One day or another you are likely to find a swallow’s nest in the abandoned shed at the back of the garden (chances = 75%)
6. You should / must not be surprised at seeing your neighbour’s cat crossing the alleys ( chances = 95%)
7. You will see plenty of birds flying around the garden ( chances = 100%)

3. Use these words to rephrase the following sentences

• All the components have been checked and rechecked

• The bulb does not light up but we forgot to test the components

• All the components have been checked and rechecked

• The bulb does not light up, the bulb is new but wires are loose in the socket

• The bulb lights up, but the light is weak and reddish

• The bulb does not light up. We have checked several components but neither the fuse nor the wiring

• The bulb does not light up: the bulb is old but the other components are not very reliable either

3.4. Use the phrases from 3.2. to rephrase the following sentences

• Since the upper part of the servo unit uses a cooling fan, dirt will perhaps gradually accumulate on the resistor near the fan.

• Active magnetic bearings are so complex and expensive that they will very probably never be used for conventional applications

• NASA experts believe that manned spacecraft will perhaps reach Mars by 2020, but this far from sure

• It is impossible to implement this solution before the backlash between the motor and the sensors have been compensated

• Metal filings in the lubricant always causes severe damage to the bearings

• When designing a small hydroelectric installation it is very important to take the cost of power transmission into account

• Installing a car radio: do not route wiring in places that get hot, such as near the heater outlet since the heat may damage the insulation so that there is a real chance of short circuitry to the vehicle body

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