4TSO Unit 4, Step 2: And this is a commercial for what exactly?

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Step 2: And this is a commercial for what exactly?

Expressing probability

1/ The secret of my success

Probability expresses how certain or how uncertain you are.

Ex. 1 p. 203

Watch the first section of 7 commercials.

Guess what the advertised product is. Choose from the products or services below. 

an airline company – beer – chocolate – glasses – shampoo – shaving gel – a ventilating pillow

an airline

beer

chocolate

glasses

shampoo

shaving gel

a ventilating pillow

Ex. 2 p. 204

Before we watch the whole commercials, how sure are you of your guesses in exercise 1?

Rank these expressions according to whether the speaker is sure or unsure about what they are saying. 

Quite sure

Rather unsure

1 Maybe it’s an ad for ...

2 It could/might be an ad for ...

3 It’s certainly an ad for ...

4 It’s probably an ad for ...

5 I’m sure it’s an ad for ...

6 It may be an ad for ...

7 It’s definitely an ad for ...

8 It must be an ad for ...

8 It can't be an ad for ...

Look back at your guesses in ex. 1.
How sure are you of your guesses? Write 1 sentence of an ad you are sure of. Use the expressions from ex. 2
(e.g. I'm sure ad 1 was about a shampoo.)

Now, write 1 sentence of an ad you are unsure of. Use the expressions from ex. 2.
(e.g. Ad 1 might be about a ventilating pillow.)

Which adverb(s) can you NOT use when you are CERTAIN of something?

1. certainly, clearly
2. definitely, clearly
3. maybe, perhaps
4. probably

Which adverb can you NOT use when you are UNCERTAIN of something?

1. certainly
2. probably
3. maybe
4. perhaps

Which modal verb(s) do you use when you are UNCERTAIN of something?

1. may, might, could
2. must

Which modal verb do you use when you are ALMOST CERTAIN of something?

1. may
2. might
3. could
4. must

p. 204 Grammar box

maybe

possibly

probably

may

might

must

can't

certainly

definitely

could

clearly

perhaps

obviously

p. 204

, perhaps

, clearly, obviously

Maybe and perhaps...

...usually come at the beginning of the clause.

Can you rank these sentences from most to least certain?

	He could be very smart! He may be very smart!
	He must be very smart!
	He might be very smart!
	He can't be very smart

90% certain

50% certain

< 50% uncertain

100% certain

Rank these modal verbs from very certain to very uncertain.

                                                                  100% zeker         <50% zeker

cannot - must (not) - may (not) - might (not) - could

From very certain to very uncertain, the correct order is:

1. cannot - may (not) - could - might (not) - must (not)
2. cannot - must (not) - could - may (not) - might (not)
3. cannot - could - may (not) - might (not) - must (not)
4. cannot - may (not) - could - might (not) - must (not)

p. 220 Summary

My keys are not in the house. They ________ be still in the car then.

1. could
2. might
3. may
4. must

That ________ be Peter's coat. It's too small.

1. could
2. can't
3. may
4. might

They are late. They _________ know the way here.

1. can't
2. might not
3. couldn't
4. mightn't

He 's ______ coming to the party.
I am sure of it.

1. certainly
2. maybe
3. perhaps
4. possibly

We will ___________ come to England again next year. We had such a good time last year, so chances are we'll go again.

1. probably
2. possibly
3. clearly
4. obviously

Judging by the look of her face, she was _________ very surprised!

1. maybe
2. possibly
3. obviously
4. perhaps

They are ________ at home.

1. maybe
2. definitely
3. perhaps

Ex. 4 p. 205

Watch the complete commercials from exercise 1 and find out if your guesses were correct.

Correct your notes, if necessary.

Bookwidget time!

Go to Smartschool > Engels 4MW Temmerman> Oefeningen > Bookwidget: Unit 4: Step 2: Expressing probability

2 / If it’s good enough for Beyoncé, it’s good enough for me

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Ex. 1

There are some well-tested techniques that are used in a lot of commercials.

a) Read the descriptions below and link them to a technique.

1 bandwagon

2 celebrity endorsement

3 transfer

4 emotional appeal

5 expert opinions

6 real-life situations and people

7 humour

8 sensuality or sex

1 bandwagon

2 celebrity endorsement

3 transfer

4 emotional appeal

5 expert opinions

6 real-life situations and people

7 humour

8 sensuality or sex

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Ex. 1a

A: 2 celebrity endorsement

B: 7 humour

C: 6 real-life situations and people

D: 4 emotional appeal

E: 1 bandwagon

F: 5 expert opinions

G: 8 sensuality or sex

H: 3 transfer

Ex. 1b

Look at the advertisements and decide which technique is used to convince the audience.

celebrity endorsement

real-life situations/people

humour

transfer

bandwagon

sensuality/sex

emotional appeal

expert opinions

Ex. 2

Express your opinion about these commercials.

a Preparation: watch the commercials and decide which techniques are used.

1 John Lewis

2 Hyundai

3 Aston Martin

4 Colgate

5 Doritos

6 Volvo

7 Old Navy

8 Haynes Baked Beans

9 Diet Pepsi

1 John Lewis

2 Hyundai

3 Aston Martin

4 Colgate

5 Doritos

6 Volvo

7 Old Navy

8 Haynes Baked Beans

9 Diet Pepsi

Which commercial did you like best?

Which commercial did you like least?

b Action: write down a short paragraph (about 50 words) about which commercial you liked best and least. Explain why you say this. Compare the 2 commercials.

Your teacher will come by and give you some feedback.