English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate » Unit 55: Obligation, need, possibility and probability

Word List
  • absolute
  • alternative
  • certainty
  • chance
  • choice
  • compulsory
  • do without
  • doubtful
  • exempt
  • force into
  • inevitable
  • lack
  • liable
  • mandatory
  • necessity
  • need (for)
  • obligation
  • obligatory
  • oblige
  • optional
  • possibility
  • probable
  • requirement
  • shortage
Exercises

55.1 ‣ Match the sentence beginnings on the left with the endings on the right.

  1. The club closed down
  2. People could not heat their homes _____
  3. Most people cannot do _____
  4. There is a real need _____
  5. There is a list of requirements _____
  6. The whole house is in need _____
  1. a) of repairs and redecoration.
  2. b) Good morning.
  3. c) for university entry on the website.
  4. d) because of the oil shortage.
  5. e) for better day care for young children.
  6. f) through lack of interest.
  7. g) without a mobile phone these days.

55.2 ‣ Continue the sentences using obligation words and phrases from A opposite with the words in brackets.

  1. They were losing £10 million a year, so the company . (close down)
  2. You don't have to buy the travel insurance; it's _____. ( extra charge)
  3. You can borrow the camcorder, but you will _____. (for any damage to it)
  4. We'll have to sell the house. I'm afraid we have _____. ( otherwise, bankrupt)
  5. He didn't want to give them the money, but they had guns; they _____ (hand it over)
  6. No, he couldn't choose to pay a fine; a prison sentence is _____ (for dangerous driving)
  7. I didn't want to do maths, but I had to. It's _____ (in all secondary schools)
  8. If you're unemployed, you're _____ (paying tax)

55.3 ‣ Answer the questions.

  1. If a fee or charge is mandatory, do you have to pay it or can you choose?
  2. If an event is inevitable, how certain is it that it will happen? 20%, 50% or 100%?
    _____
  3. If a car is exempt from tax, how much tax do you have to pay for it?
    _____
  4. If an exam is optional, are you obliged to take it?
    _____
  5. If you are liable for something, is it yours or someone else's responsibility?
    _____

55.4 ‣ Rewrite the words in bold using expressions from the opposite page.

  1. Most people consider that a mobile phone is not a luxury but something you absolutely must have.
  2. I have been given a chance to work with a team of zoologists in East Africa. _____
  3. Is there any chance that you will be free to join us at 4 pm tomorrow? _____
  4. It's not at all sure whether there will be any change in the situation in the near future. _____
  5. It's not just a possibility that food prices will go up, it's absolutely certain to happen. _____
  6. She will probably arrive tomorrow. _____

55.5 ‣

Over to you

Name something which …

  1. you think is inevitable.
    _____
  2. there is a need for in your country.
    _____
  3. was compulsory when you were at school.
    _____
  4. you personally are in need of right now.
    _____
  5. you own that you couldn’t do without.
    _____
Answer Key
A ‣ Obligation

You will be liable /ˈlaɪəbl/ for any damage when you rent a car. [obliged to pay; fml/ legalistic]

The company is obliged to give a refund if the tour is cancelled.

The bank robbers forced him at gunpoint to open the safe.

We had no choice/alternative but to sell our house; we owed the bank £100,000.

The death sentence is mandatory /ˈmændətəri/ for drug-smuggling in some countries. [automatic; there is no alternative)

Was sport compulsory/obligatory at your school? No, it was optional. [you can choose]

I am exempt from paying income tax as I'm a student. [free from obligation)

B ‣ Need

This plant is in need of water. (more formal than 'needs/wants')

There's a need for more discussion on the matter. [we feel a need; fml]

There is a shortage of teachers. [there are not enough] .

She could not concentrate through lack of sleep. [she had none or not enough; fml]

A car is an absolute necessity if you live in the countryside and have no public transport. [something you must have] You just can't do without one. [survive or live without]

What are the requirements for a Master's course in English? [things you must do or need]

C ‣ Possibilities

I've been given an opportunity to work in Bonn. [a real chance]

Is there any chance/possibility you'll be free next week? (chance is less formal than possibility)

A rise in oil prices is inevitable as oil supplies run out across the world. [is certain to happen]

It is doubtful whether the economy will improve next year. [it may not improve]

It is probable that the next government will change the tax laws.

Most scientists believe that climate change is no longer just a possibility but is now an absolute certainty.

Common mistakes

The correct preposition after the noun need is for, not of. There is a need for more qualified teachers. (NOT There is a need of...)

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