8.9 Conclusions or Deductions—Must

COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.

1. Americans are often curious about foreigners. 2. Some Americans might not know a lot about different Asian countries. 3. Everyone knows that Portuguese is the language of Brazil.

THINK ABOUT IT Discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.

1. Describe a situation in the U.S. that was new or confusing for you. Explain how you handled it. 2. Talk about the questions you wanted answers to when you first moved to the United States. How did you find the answers?

EXAMPLES

It must be exciting to live in another country. You’re from Mexico? You must speak Spanish, then.

I told a classmate that I’m from Brazil. He thinks I speak Spanish. He must not know much about Brazil.

Note: Remember, we also use must to express necessity.

Students must register for classes.

EXPLANATION

We often make a deduction or come to a conclusion using must. We think our assumption is probably true. (We may be wrong.) For a negative deduction/conclusion, we use must not. We don’t use a contraction.

EXERCISE 13 Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb phrase from the box to complete the conversation between two neighbors. You may use an answer more than once.

must spend must have must get must not like

must know must not be must be

A: Hi. My name’s Alma. I live on the third floor. You must be

1.

B: I am. We just moved in last week. My name’s Eva.

A: I noticed your last name on the mailbox. It’s Gonzalez. Are you from Mexico?

B: No. Actually I’m from the Philippines. new in this building.

A: I’m so sorry. You

2. that mistake all the time. Are you going to school now?

B: Yes, I’m taking English classes at Washington College. I’m in Level 5.

A: You

3. my husband, Hasan. He’s also in the Level 5 class there.

B: Oh, yes, I know him. I didn’t know he lived in the same building. I never see him here. He

home very much.

A: He isn’t. He has two jobs. By the way, I saw the movers carrying in a crib.

You

5. a baby.

B: We do. We have a 10-month-old son. He’s sleeping now. Do you have any kids?

A: Yes. I have a 16-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. I

worrying about them. My daughter texts her friends all day.

6. half my time

B: Kids today

7. to talk much. They rely more on texting.

A: You’re right. Listen, I don’t want to take up any more of your time. You

lot to do. I just wanted to bring you these cookies.

8. a

B: That’s very nice of you. They’re still warm. They

9.

A: They are. Maybe we can talk some other time when you’re all unpacked. right out of the oven.

EXERCISE 14 Use must + base form to show Eva’s conclusions about Alma’s life when she is visiting Alma in her apartment. Answers may vary.

1. There is a bowl of food on the kitchen floor.

Alma’s family must have a pet.

2. There is a nursing certificate on the wall with Alma’s name on it.

3. There are many different kinds of coffee on a kitchen shelf.

4. There are a lot of classical music CDs.

5. In Alma’s bedroom, there’s a sewing machine.

6. There’s a piano in the living room.

7. On the kitchen calendar, there’s an activity filled in for almost every day of the week.