EnglishArts and culture chat
What was the last film, book, concert, or exhibition you enjoyed?
- It was a ...
- I liked it because ...
- My favourite part was ...
Look at the photos
Photo A: A woman is standing on a stage with a violin.
Photo B: Two people are whispering beside a painting in a gallery.
Say what you think is happening:
- It must be ...
- It might be ...
Entertainment vocabulary
- performance [/pəˈfɔːməns/]
- a show for an audience
The performance was excellent. - exhibition [/ˌeksɪˈbɪʃən/]
- a public display of art or objects
We visited an art exhibition. - plot [/plɒt/]
- the story of a book or film
The plot was difficult to follow. - soundtrack [/ˈsaʊndtræk/]
- the music used in a film
I love the film soundtrack. - genre [/ˈʒɒnrə/]
- a type or category of art, film, or music
Comedy is my favourite genre. - direct [/dəˈrekt/]
- to lead the making of a film or play
She directs independent films. - compose [/kəmˈpəʊz/]
- to write music
He composed the music. - thrilling [/ˈθrɪlɪŋ/]
- very exciting
It was a thrilling final scene. - audience [/ˈɔːdiəns/]
- the people watching a show or event
The audience clapped loudly. - actor [/ˈæktə/]
- a person who performs in films or plays
The actor won an award. - masterpiece [/ˈmɑːstəpiːs/]
- an excellent work of art
Many people call it a masterpiece. - review [/rɪˈvjuː/]
- an opinion about a book, film, show, or product
I read a positive review. - documentary [/ˌdɒkjəˈmentri/]
- a factual film or programme
The documentary was informative. - screenplay [/ˈskriːnpleɪ/]
- the written text for a film
The screenplay was well written.
Quick speak
- Name a genre you enjoy.
- Describe a thrilling film or book.
- Have you seen an exhibition recently?
Making deductions from clues
Certainty scale
90%+ sure ───────── possible ───────── impossible
Time | Certain | Possible | Impossible |
|---|---|---|---|
Present / now | must be | might / may / could be | can’t be |
Example | This must be the new exhibition. | This might be a documentary. | This can’t be the final scene. |
Past / finished | must have + past participle | might / may / could have + past participle | can’t have + past participle |
Example | The director must have chosen this soundtrack. | They might have left early. | The actor can’t have written the screenplay. |
Form focus
Time | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
Now | modal + be | The film must be popular. |
Finished past | modal + have + past participle | The film must have been popular. |
Meaning comparison
Meaning | Strong deduction | Possible deduction | Impossible deduction |
|---|---|---|---|
About now | must be | might / may / could be | can’t be |
About a finished event | must have + past participle | might / may / could have + past participle | can’t have + past participle |
Must here expresses a deduction from evidence. It does not express obligation.
Compare
The gallery is closed. It can’t be open now.
The lights were off last night. It must have been closed.
Common mistakes
Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
It must was popular. | It must have been popular. |
They might have be late. | They might have been late. |
The painting can’t be stolen. | The painting can’t have been stolen. |
She must to be the director. | She must be the director. |
Cultural clues
Connect certainty with the right form
Match each certainty level with its modal structure.
Connect each certainty level with the correct structure
- I am almost certain now.
- must be
- It is possible now.
- might / may / could be
- It is impossible now.
- can't be
Connect time with the right pattern
Match each clue with the best deduction pattern.
Connect each time clue with the correct pattern
- The event is happening now.
- modal + be
- The event definitely happened yesterday.
- must have + past participle
- The event did not happen yesterday.
- can't have + past participle
Choose the best deduction
The hall is full and the audience is clapping. It [___] a popular performance.
The cinema was closed at 10 p.m., so the film [___] at 10:30.
The poster says “Science on Screen”. It [___] a documentary, but I am not sure.
Complete each deduction
This soundtrack is by Mozart, so the film [___] very old.
The exhibition was sold out in ten minutes, so it [___] very popular.
Anna was in Moscow during the concert, so she [___] at the concert in London.
The actor is only 18, so he [___] in that film twenty years ago.
The missing painting
Listen for the mystery, the clues, and the final explanation.
Discuss
- Which painting disappeared?
- What time were the gallery doors locked?
- Why does Leo think Dan might have missed the theft?
- What do Mia and Leo think probably happened in the end?
Key ideas to take away
Certainty and time
Meaning | About now | About a finished past event |
|---|---|---|
Very sure | must be | must have + past participle |
Possible | might / may / could be | might / may / could have + past participle |
Impossible | can’t be | can’t have + past participle |
Time check
- NOW → modal + be
- FINISHED PAST → modal + have + past participle
Words to remember
performance • exhibition • plot • soundtrack • genre • direct • compose • thrilling • audience • actor • masterpiece • review • documentary • screenplay
Check the key ideas
Final sentence
Choose a film, book, concert, or exhibition. Make one deduction about it.
