Le conditionnel (would, could, should)

Document 1. Extract from the « Ask Ruby » column of a British teenage magazine.
« Dear Ruby, my parents want me to spend the summer at my aunt's farm in Wales. I'd rather stay in Manchester with my friends. What should I do? — Jaden, 15 »
« Dear Jaden, I understand you, but you shouldn't refuse too quickly. First, you could ask your parents why they want you to go: maybe your aunt needs help, or maybe they think you spend too much time on your phone. Then you could suggest a compromise — three weeks in Wales, then two weeks at home. Your friends would still be there in August! On the farm, you would learn things you can't learn in a city, and honestly, I would love to spend a summer outdoors. Whatever you decide, you should tell your parents how you feel, calmly and clearly. Would you write to me again in September? I'd like to know how it went. — Ruby »

1. a)What is Jaden's problem, and what would he prefer to do?
2. b)Give the two reasons Ruby imagines for the parents' decision.
3. c)What compromise does Ruby suggest? Answer with a full sentence.
4. d)Find in Ruby's answer one sentence with a piece of advice and one sentence with a suggestion; copy them and name the modal used in each.

Document 2. Notice pinned in the staff room of a London hotel: « How to speak to our guests ».

1. a)How many situations does the notice describe, and which one requires the most polite register?
2. b)Explain in French why « What do you want? » is replaced by « What would you like? ».
3. c)In the « Giving advice » line, which modal expresses a suggestion and which one expresses a recommendation?
4. d)A guest asks to pay in cash but the hotel only accepts cards. Write the receptionist's polite refusal using the model in the table, then a polite alternative with « could ».

1. a)Complète avec le modal qui convient (would, could, should) et le verbe entre parenthèses : « Your cousin ___ (to be) at the station already: her train was early. » / « You ___ (to check) the timetable before leaving. »
2. b)Mets à la forme négative contractée, puis à la forme interrogative : « Zoe would agree with us. »
3. c)Réécris en une seule phrase polie avec « would you mind » : « Turn off your phone during the film. »
4. d)Trouve et corrige les deux erreurs : « If I were you, I would to buy the blue one, and you don't should wait for the sales. »

1. a)Traduis : « Pourriez-vous m'indiquer la gare, s'il vous plaît ? »
2. b)Traduis : « Je préférerais partir avant la nuit. »
3. c)Traduis : « Il ne devrait pas dépenser autant pour des baskets. »
4. d)Traduis : « Nous aimerions rencontrer le maire, mais il pourrait être occupé. »

Your English pen friend Amir is coming to Marseille for a week in July. He asks you what he should bring, what you could do together and what he should avoid. Write your answer (80 words minimum), following the four steps.

1. a)Give him two pieces of advice about what to bring, with « should » and « shouldn't ».
2. b)Suggest two activities with « could » and say which one you would prefer with « would rather ».
3. c)Ask him one polite question with « would you like » or « would you mind ».
4. d)End with a sentence expressing a wish with « I'd love to » or « I would like to ».