Must, have to, or should?

Choose the best modal. Say a full sentence, then say: strong obligation, rule, or advice.

Read the situation. Say a full sentence before you flip the card.

The doctor says: “Take these antibiotics twice a day.”: You must take these antibiotics twice a day. — strong obligation
You have a small headache after a long day.: You should rest and drink water. — advice
Hospital visitors: no smoking.: You mustn't smoke in the hospital. — prohibition
Your school says students need a health check every year.: Students have to have a health check every year. — external rule
You feel tired because you sleep only five hours.: You should sleep more. — advice
The pharmacist says this cream is not necessary for a small cut.: You don't have to buy this cream. — no necessity
You have a high fever.: You should see a doctor. — strong advice
The gym says members need clean sports shoes.: Members have to wear clean sports shoes. — external rule

Your modal toolkit

Meaning	Form	Example
strong necessity	must + base verb	You must take this medicine.
prohibition	mustn't + base verb	You mustn't drive today.
external rule	have to + base verb	You have to show your health card.
no necessity	don't have to + base verb	You don't have to stay in bed.
advice	should / shouldn't + base verb	You should drink water.

Mustn't = not allowed.

Don't have to = optional.

Connect each health problem to the best advice

Connect each sentence beginning with its correct ending.

You have a headache, so you should: drink water and rest.
You have a sore throat, so you should: drink warm tea.
You have a bad cough, so you mustn't: smoke.
You have a stomach ache, so you should: eat light food.

Connect the clinic situation to the correct rule

Connect each situation with the correct sentence ending.

At the pharmacy, you have to: pay for your medicine.
Before an appointment, you have to: give your name.
With this medicine, you mustn't: drink alcohol.
After a small cut, you don't have to: stay at home all day.

Put the doctor visit in order

Put the conversation in the most natural order.

Patient: Good morning. I have a sore throat and a cough.
Doctor: How long have you felt like this?
Patient: Since yesterday evening.
Doctor: You should rest and drink warm water.

Put the treatment steps in order

Put the medical instructions in order.

Make an appointment with the doctor.
Visit the doctor and describe your symptoms.
Go to the pharmacy for your medicine.
Take the medicine after food.

Complete the doctor’s instructions

You have a high fever. You [___] a doctor today.
This medicine is strong. You [___] alcohol with it.
The clinic rule says you [___] your health card.
Your cough is better. You [___] in bed all day.

At the doctor’s office

Listen once for the main problem. Listen again for advice and instructions.

What two symptoms does Anna have?
How long has she felt ill?
How often must she take the medicine?
What does the doctor say about staying in bed?

Look, describe, and advise

Describe what you can see.

Complete the sentence: She should ______ more.

Make one new sentence with a different modal.

Describe what you can see.

Complete the sentence: He has to ______.

Make one new sentence with a different modal.

Doctor and patient role-play

Situation: You visit a doctor because you feel ill.

Patient card

Choose 2–3 symptoms:

headache
cough
sore throat
stomach ache
tiredness

Say:

when the problem started;
one thing you did yesterday;
one question about medicine or rest.

Useful language:

I have a bad ____.
I have felt like this since ____.
Yesterday, I ____.
Do I have to ____?

Doctor card

Ask:

What seems to be the problem?
How long have you felt like this?
Did you take any medicine?

Give:

two sentences with should / shouldn’t;
one sentence with must or have to;
one negative instruction with mustn’t or don’t have to.

Useful language:

You should rest and drink water.
You shouldn’t exercise today.
You must take this medicine after food.
You have to make an appointment.
You mustn’t drink alcohol.
You don’t have to stay in bed all day.

Suggested sequence

Describe the symptoms.
Ask two doctor questions.
Give advice and instructions.
Check the patient understands.
Swap roles if there is time.

A message for a friend

Your friend has a bad cold and feels tired. Write a short message with health advice.

Write 40–80 words.

Include:

one sentence with You should ...
one sentence with You must ...
one sentence with You don’t have to ...
one symptom;
one healthy action.

Useful phrases:

I’m sorry you feel ill.
You should rest and drink plenty of water.
You must take your medicine.
You don’t have to go to school today.
See a doctor if you have a high fever.
I hope you feel better soon.

Check before you finish: After each modal expression, use a base verb.

Key points

Modal expression	Meaning	Example
must / mustn’t	strong necessity / prohibition	You must take medicine. / You mustn’t smoke.
have to / don’t have to	outside rule / no necessity	You have to make an appointment. / You don’t have to stay in bed.
should / shouldn’t	advice	You should drink water. / You shouldn’t exercise today.

After all of these expressions, use a base verb.

Connect the medical phrase to its purpose

Connect each phrase with its purpose.

take medicine: treatment
make an appointment: contact the doctor
have a sore throat: symptom
drink water: healthy advice

For next time

Prepare five sentences about healthy habits:

One sentence with must.
One sentence with mustn’t.
One sentence with have to.
One sentence with don’t have to.
One sentence with should.