Advice versus obligation: SHOULD vs MUST

1. Before watching the explanation on MUST and SHOULD, complete the sentences below. Use the words in brackets (recommend - important - strict - ought to):

• We use MUST when something is very .................................. . 
• We use SHOULD to .............................. something or when somebody ............................... do something. Then, it is not a ....................................... requirement.

2. SAMPLE CONVERSATIONS.

Again, before watching the video, try to complete the sentences with must or should. Then check your answers.

2.1 APARTMENT FORMALITIES

Glossary: 

lease: a contract by which property is conveyed to a person for a specified period, usually for rent.

• What documents ....................................................... (I / bring) to sign the lease for the apartment?
• You ........................................... (bring) some identity proof for the records and you .................................................. (bring / also) the cash advance.
• What time ..................................................... (I / come)?

2.2 COMPLAINING ABOUT LATE BUS SERVICE

• The bus ................ have been here 30 minutes ago.
• It ....................... be coming soon.
• It ..................., because I'm already late for work.

2.3 SOLUTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

• We ............................................. (stop) polluting the Earth!
• I agree. We .............................................. something about it.
• I think we ................................................. (use) cycles instead of cars to get places.
• We ..................................................... (not build) any more nuclear reactors.

Ability, Permission, Advice, Obligation/Prohibition

ABILITY:
Look around. Sometimes everything looks so disappointing. The Rolling Stones couldn't get any Satisfaction in the 60's.
1. Why?
2. What else can't you do?



PERMISSION:

Joe Cocker is playing a funny game. Let's call it "You can leave your hat on". If you don't want to play it, just listen to revise some vocabulary about clothes and the structure for permission.

ADVICE:

Listen to Should I stay or should I go? by The Clash. The vocalist is complaining about his relationship with a girl.

1. Spot the four sentences conveying an advice.
2. The guy mentions two choices about what to do. Are any of them satisfactory? Why
3. Why doesn't he know what to do?
4. The boy promises something. What is it?
5. When does she feel happy with him?
6. Do you think the girl really loves him?
7. What piece of advice would you give him? What should he do?

GLOSSARY:

cool (v) to make colder.

blow (v) to explode.

bug (v) to bother.

tease (v) to annoy someone by deliberately offering something with the intention of delaying or withdrawing the offer.

OBLIGATION:
Freddie Mercury sang with The Queen "The Show Must Go On". It was a moral inner obligation for everybody to keep on going, when he was no longer in the band. Bloody AIDS!
1. Can you think of any other things we must do?
2. Can you also say some things we mustn't do?