Worksheet: Ability, Permission, and Possibility 3 12 25

Vocabulary list

Political Science:

·political theory

·international relations

·public policy

·comparative politics

·political economy

·European studies

·diplomacy

·human rights studies

Law:

·constitutional law

·criminal law

·civil law

·administrative law

·international law

·legal theory

·legal writing

·moot court practice

Match the expressions with their definitions (teacher provides)


Part 1 – Modal Verbs & Expressions Table

Expression

Use

Example (Politics/Law Context)

can / can’t

Ability / Permission

I can write a legal essay. / You can’t enter the moot court without registration.

be able to

Ability (present/future)

I am able to analyze a political speech. / Next week, I will be able to attend the seminar.

be capable of

Formal ability / skill

I am capable of presenting a case in the moot court.

may / may not

Formal permission

You may submit your assignment online. / You may not copy another student’s work.

be allowed to

Permission

Students are allowed to use the library computers.

might / may

Possibility

I might attend the debate on human rights. / We may have an extra lecture next Thursday.

could

Suggestion / possible ability

You could ask the professor for help with your essay.


Part 2 – Fill in the Gaps

Complete the sentences with the correct expression from the table.

1.I ___ attend the guest lecture tomorrow.

2.You ___ enter the seminar room without your student ID.

3.She ___ explain the international law case very clearly.

4.We ___ have a political science workshop next week.

5.Students ___ submit their papers online until Friday.

6.He ___ present his legal argument confidently in the moot court.

7.You ___ ask the academic advisor for help with your schedule.


Part 3 – Pair Speaking Practice

Situation: You are at the university. Ask and answer using can, may, be allowed to, might, be able
to, be capable of.

Examples:

·Ask for permission to use the law library computers.

·Ask if you can join a seminar you missed.

·Discuss what you are able/capable of doing this semester.

·Talk about possibilities for next week’s lectures or debates.


Part 4 – Writing Practice

Write 4 sentences about your abilities, permissions, or possibilities at university using different
expressions.

Hints:

·I can / can’t…

·I am able to…

·I am capable of…

·I may / might…

·I am allowed to…

Example:

·I can read legal texts in English.

·I am allowed to use the moot court room for practice.