Practice in communication. (Certainty/Uncertainty)

(Certainty/Uncertainty)

*15.4.1. Read and try to remember.

Certainty Uncertainty

1. I'm quite/absolutely 1. I'm not sure.

certain/sure it is. 2. I'm not quite/at all sure.

2. No, certainly not. 3. I'm not certain.

3. Yes, certainly. 4. Could be/Might be.

4. There's no doubt. 5. I couldn't say.

about it.

15.4.2. Respond with certainly or uncertainly to the following questions:

1. Are boys cleverer than girls?

2. Is Chinese more widely spoken than English?

3. Are you generous?

4. Would you like to visit the Moon one day?

5. Do you like our lessons?

15.4.3. Read the dialogue and then dramatize it.

DETECTIVE: Where were you last night at exactly 9.20 pm?

BOB: 9.20 pm? I couldn't say. I can't remember.

DETECTIVE: Are you sure you can't remember?

BOB: Absolutely certain. (Quite sure.)

DETECTIVE: Were you in or out? Can you remember that?

BOB: I'm not sure. I think I went out at about half past nine. But I'm not certain.

DETECTIVE: Did you see anyone coming into the block of flats?

BOB: No, I didn't.

DETECTIVE: Sure?

BOB: Quite sure. There's no doubt about it.

15.4.4. A friend is asking you about your holidays. He/she wants to know what you did, where you went and so on. Some of the questions you can answer with certainty. Others you can't because you've forgotten.

General understanding

15.5.1. Read the text. Try to understand it and be ready to answer the questions.