A2 — Lesson 10

The High Street

Modal Verbs Part 2 · Must · Have To · Should · Ought To · Shall · Obligation · Advice · Prohibition
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Vocabulary: The High Street

British English shopping vocabulary. Listen and repeat each word.

In the Shop — В магазина

Trolley/ˈtrɒl.i/Количка за пазаруване
Basket/ˈbɑː.skɪt/Кошница
Aisle/aɪl/Коридор между рафтовете
Shelf / Shelves/ʃelf/Рафт / Рафтове
Changing room/ˈtʃeɪn.dʒɪŋ ruːm/Пробна
Till / Counter/tɪl/Каса
Price tag/praɪs tæɡ/Етикет с цена
Out of stock/stɒk/Изчерпано / Няма наличност

Money & Transactions — Пари и плащания

Receipt/rɪˈsiːt/Касова бележка (тихо P!)
Refund/ˈriː.fʌnd/Възстановяване на сума
Discount / Sale/ˈdɪs.kaʊnt/Отстъпка / Разпродажба
Bargain/ˈbɑː.ɡɪn/Изгодна покупка
Contactless/ˈkɒn.tækt.ləs/Безконтактно плащане
Wallet / Purse/ˈwɒl.ɪt/Портфейл / Дамско портмоне
To afford/əˈfɔːd/Позволявам си финансово

People & Actions — Хора и действия

Shop assistant/əˈsɪs.tənt/Продавач-консултант
Queue/kjuː/Опашка от хора
To try on/traɪ ɒn/Пробвам дреха
To exchange/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/Заменям
To fit/fɪt/Става ми (като размер)
To suit/suːt/Отива ми (като стил)
📝 Exercise A: Choose the correct word.
1. There are no more in the shop — it is out of ___.
2. I need to try this jacket on. Where is the ___ room?
3. She paid and put the ___ in her wallet.
4. That coat looks great on you — it really ___ you.
5. There was a long ___ at the till — we waited ten minutes.
🎯 Exercise B: Fit or suit? Fill in the correct verb in the correct form.
1. This dress is too small — it doesn't ___.
2. That colour looks great on you — it really ___ you.
3. The trousers are the wrong size — they don't ___.
4. Short hair doesn't ___ him — he looks better with long hair.
5. I need to try it on to see if it ___.

Grammar Lab

Modals Part 2 — Obligation, Prohibition, Advice. Complete A2 reference with exercises for each section.

Part 1 — Must: Strong Personal Obligation

Must expresses a strong obligation that comes from the speaker — it is personal and internal. Mustn't (the negative) does NOT mean "not necessary" — it means forbidden / prohibited. Must has no past or future form; use had to and will have to instead.

FormStructureExample
Positivemust + infinitiveI must call my mother today. (I feel it is important.)
Negativemustn't + infinitiveYou mustn't smoke here. (= Forbidden!)
QuestionMust + subject + infinitive?Must we leave now? (Rare — usually "Do we have to?")
Pasthad to (not "musted")I had to wait an hour. (No "must" in past.)
Bulgarian note: Must = Трябва да (personal). Mustn't = Не трябва / Забранено е — NOT "не е задължително"! That is don't have to.
📝 Easy: Choose must or mustn't.
1. You ___ be quiet in the library — it is a rule.
2. You ___ run in the shop — it is dangerous.
3. I ___ remember to take my wallet today.
4. You ___ touch the display items — the sign says so.
5. We ___ buy a present for Emma — her birthday is tomorrow.
🎯 Harder: Fill in must, mustn't, or had to.
1. Yesterday she ___ wait forty minutes at the till.
2. You ___ take photos in this museum — it is not allowed.
3. I really ___ call the shop — they still owe me a refund.
4. He ___ queue for two hours to buy the new phone.
5. You ___ tell anyone about this — it is a secret.

Part 2 — Have To: External Obligation

Have to expresses an obligation that comes from outside — a rule, a law, or another person's requirement. Unlike must, have to has full tense forms: present, past, and future.

TensePositiveNegativeQuestion
PresentI/You/We/They have to go.
He/She/It has to go.		don't / doesn't have to go.Do / Does she have to go?
PastI had to wait.didn't have to wait.Did you have to wait?
FutureWe will have to pay.won't have to pay.Will she have to pay?
Must vs Have to: Both mean obligation, but the source is different. I must go — I feel this personally. I have to go — someone else says so (boss, law, rules). In everyday British speech, have to is more common.
📝 Easy: Choose the correct form of have to.
1. She ___ wear a uniform at her new job.
2. ___ you have to work last Saturday?
3. Next month, they ___ pay a higher rent.
4. I ___ queue — it was very quick!
5. ___ students have to wear a school uniform here?
🎯 Harder: Fill in the correct form of have to — present, past, or future.
1. She works in a school, so she ___ start at 8am every day.
2. We ___ buy a new trolley when the wheel broke last week.
3. If the shop closes, we ___ go somewhere else.
4. They ___ show a receipt to get a refund.
5. It was free — we ___ pay anything!

Part 3 — The Critical Contrast: Mustn't vs Don't Have To

This is the most important distinction in this lesson. Bulgarian learners frequently confuse these two because in Bulgarian, не трябва can mean both. In English they are completely different.

Mustn't = FORBIDDEN

  • You are NOT allowed to do it
  • It is prohibited
  • "You mustn't smoke here." (No smoking!)
  • "You mustn't run in the shop."

Don't have to = OPTIONAL

  • It is not necessary — but you can if you want
  • There is no obligation
  • "You don't have to pay cash." (Card is fine.)
  • "She doesn't have to come." (It's her choice.)
✅ You mustn't park here. (= It is illegal.)
✅ You don't have to park here. (= There are other options.)
❌ "You mustn't wear a tie." (used to mean 'not necessary')
→ ✅ "You don't have to wear a tie." (It's optional.)
📝 Easy: Choose mustn't or don't/doesn't have to.
1. You ___ cross a red light — it is illegal.
2. The entry is free — you ___ pay.
3. You ___ tell anyone — keep it a secret.
4. She ___ come to the meeting — it is not required for her.
5. You ___ use your phone in the exam room — it is forbidden.
🎯 Harder: Fill in the correct form. Think carefully — forbidden or optional?
1. Children ___ play near the road.
2. You ___ wear a tie at this office — smart casual is fine.
3. The receipt is already saved in the app — she ___ keep the paper one.
4. You ___ open that door — it says "Staff Only".
5. He ___ take the bus — he can walk, it is only five minutes.

Part 4 — Should / Shouldn't: Advice and Recommendations

Should is used to give advice, make recommendations, or express what the speaker thinks is the right thing to do. It is softer than must — it is a suggestion, not an order. Shouldn't is the negative. Both use the infinitive without to.

FormStructureExample
Positiveshould + infinitiveYou should try this shop — they have great prices.
Negativeshouldn't + infinitiveYou shouldn't spend all your money in one place.
QuestionShould + subject + infinitive?Should I buy this jacket? (Asking for advice.)
📝 Easy: Choose should or shouldn't.
1. You look tired — you ___ go to bed early tonight.
2. He ___ buy things he can't afford — it causes problems.
3. You ___ check the prices online before you buy.
4. She ___ speak so loudly on the phone in the shop.
5. You ___ make a shopping list before you go — it saves money.
🎯 Harder: Write advice using should or shouldn't. Write the full sentence — capital letter and full stop.
1. She wastes a lot of money. (give advice) →
2. He wants a refund but has no receipt. (give advice) →
3. They are buying a new sofa. (give advice — check prices first) →
4. She never tries clothes on before buying. (give advice) →
5. He never reads the price tag. (give advice) →

Part 5 — Ought To and Shall

Ought to has the same meaning as should but is more formal and less common in everyday speech. Shall is used with I / We for polite offers and suggestions — it is very British.

Ought to — Formal Advice

  • Same meaning as should
  • More formal / less common in speech
  • Note: uses to (unlike other modals)
  • You ought to apologise.
  • We ought to check the receipt.

Shall — Offers & Suggestions

  • Used with I or We only
  • Making an offer: Shall I help you?
  • Suggesting: Shall we look in there?
  • Very British — formal but common
📝 Easy: Choose the correct word or phrase.
1. ___ I carry your bags for you?
2. You ___ to check the expiry date before you buy.
3. ___ we go and look at the sale?
4. They ___ to be more careful with customer complaints.
5. ___ I open the door for you?
🎯 Harder: Fill in ought to or shall.
1. You ___ speak to the manager about the problem.
2. ___ we ask the shop assistant for help?
3. She ___ apologise to the customer — that was rude.
4. ___ I wrap it as a gift for you?
5. We ___ read the return policy before we buy.

Part 6 — All Modals Compared: The Obligation Scale

These modals all relate to obligation and advice but express very different levels of strength and meaning. Study this table carefully.

ModalMeaningStrengthExample
mustStrong personal obligation🔴 Very strongI must pay this today.
have toExternal obligation (rule/law)🔴 StrongShe has to wear a uniform.
shouldAdvice / recommendation🟡 MediumYou should try this shop.
ought toFormal advice (= should)🟡 MediumYou ought to apologise.
shallPolite offer / suggestion (I/We)🟢 SoftShall I help you?
mustn'tForbidden / Prohibited🔴 Very strong (negative)You mustn't smoke here.
don't have toNot necessary / Optional⚪ No obligationYou don't have to pay.
📝 Easy: Choose the correct modal for each context.
1. This is a law — drivers ___ stop at a red light.
2. ___ I help you find the right size? (offer from shop assistant)
3. It is optional — you ___ buy the warranty.
4. I really want this coat! I ___ buy it! (personal, strong)
5. Signs say no photography — you ___ take pictures in here.
🎯 Harder: Choose the best modal. More than one may be grammatically possible — choose the most natural option.
1. Your friend is ill. Give strong, caring advice.
2. The shop requires ID for alcohol — customers ___ show it.
3. Making a suggestion to go somewhere together.
4. She ___ buy the more expensive version — the cheap one works fine.
5. Formal written notice: Staff ___ arrive before 9am.

Reading: Shopping on the High Street

Four short texts about shopping rules, advice, and situations. Answer the questions carefully.
👗

Text 1: The Dress Code

Sarah works at a fashion boutique. She has to wear all black to work — it is the company rule. However, she doesn't have to wear high heels. Comfortable shoes are perfectly fine. Sarah actually likes the dress code because she doesn't have to think about what to wear every morning. Her manager says staff must always look professional and tidy. They mustn't wear jeans or trainers.

Questions:

1. What colour must Sarah wear to work?

2. Does Sarah have to wear high heels?

3. "She doesn't have to think about what to wear." — what does this mean? (Language focus)

4. What are staff forbidden to wear? (Inference)

🧾

Text 2: The Refund Policy

The shop has a strict refund policy. Customers must keep their receipt if they want a refund. They also have to return the item within 30 days. However, they don't have to explain why they are returning it — no reason is needed. The shop assistant should always be polite, even if the customer is angry or difficult. She ought to stay calm and follow the procedure.

Questions:

1. What must customers keep for a refund?

2. How long do customers have to return an item?

3. "She ought to stay calm." — which modal means the same? (Language focus)

4. Do customers have to explain why they are returning the item? (Inference)

💳

Text 3: At the Till

Mr. Smith is at the till. He is paying by card. The total is £12.50. Because the amount is under £100, he doesn't have to enter his PIN — he can use contactless payment. The cashier says: "You should keep the receipt in case you want to return this." Mr. Smith thanks her and puts the receipt carefully in his wallet. He doesn't have to rush — there is nobody waiting behind him.

Questions:

1. How does Mr. Smith pay?

2. Why doesn't he have to enter his PIN?

3. "You should keep the receipt." — what type of statement is this? (Language focus)

4. Does Mr. Smith feel rushed at the till? (Inference)

🛍️

Text 4: Shopping Advice

Emma loves shopping, but she often spends too much money. Her friend gives her some advice: "You should make a list before you go. You shouldn't buy things you don't need. You ought to check the prices online first — it only takes a minute." Emma agrees. She knows she must be more careful. Next week she will have to save money because she has a big bill to pay.

Questions:

1. What does Emma's friend advise her to make before shopping?

2. "You ought to check prices online." — which word could replace ought to? (Language focus)

3. "She will have to save money next week." — why this form? (Language focus)

4. What can we infer about Emma's attitude to her friend's advice? (Inference)

Text 1 / 4

Cloze Text

Choose the correct modal verb from each drop-down menu. Read the context carefully.

Emma is shopping on the high street. She enters a clothes shop and sees a sign: "Customers (1) not leave bags unattended." She picks up a jacket and goes to the changing room. The jacket fits, but it (2) cost this much — she checks the price tag and sees it is 50% off!

She goes to the till. The cashier says: " (3) I put it in a bag for you?" Emma says yes. She pays by card — she (4) enter a PIN because it is under £100.

The cashier reminds her: "You (5) keep the receipt. If you want a refund, you (6) return the item within 30 days." She adds: "You (7) give a reason, but you (8) have the receipt with you."

On the way home, Emma thinks: "I (9) check prices online first next time. And I (10) spend so much in one day!"

Exercises

15 exercises covering all modal verbs from this lesson.

Tense Writing Practice

Five exercises, 10 sentences each — all mixed tenses in every exercise. Tenses: Present Simple · Present Continuous · Past Simple · Present Perfect · Will · Be Going To
Read each sentence carefully and put the verb in brackets into the correct tense.