Grammar: Modal verbs- Permission and obligation Vocabulary: Museum
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A Day at the Museum
Last Saturday, Anna visited a large history museum in the city. At the entrance, a sign said that visitors must show their tickets before entering. Anna joined the line and asked the staff member, “May I take photos inside the museum?” The staff member smiled and replied, “Yes, you can take photos, but you mustn’t use flash.”
After entering, Anna noticed another rule: visitors mustn’t touch the exhibits. However, in one special area, people were allowed to interact with some objects. A guide explained, “In this section, you can try the interactive displays, but you must follow the instructions carefully.”
Anna wanted to join a guided tour, so she asked, “Could I join the next tour?” The guide answered, “Of course, you can join, but you have to wait for ten minutes.”
While waiting, Anna saw a sign near a painting: “You can’t bring food or drinks into this room.” She realized she had to finish her coffee before entering, so she quickly drank it.
During the tour, the guide said, “You must stay with the group at all times.” One visitor asked, “Can we leave the tour early?” The guide replied, “Yes, you can leave, but you should inform me first.”
At the end of the visit, Anna went to the gift shop. She asked, “May I pay by card?” The cashier answered, “Yes, you can.”
As she left the museum, Anna thought about all the rules. At first, it seemed like visitors had to follow many instructions, but she realized they helped protect the exhibits and made the visit more enjoyable for everyone.
NEW WORDS
GRAMMAR
Modal verb / structure | Example sentence |
must | Visitors must show their tickets before entering. |
may | May I take photos inside the museum? |
can | You can take photos, but you mustn’t use flash. |
mustn’t | You mustn’t use flash. |
were allowed to | People were allowed to interact with some objects. |
could | Could I join the next tour? |
have to | You have to wait for ten minutes. |
can’t | You can’t bring food or drinks into this room. |
had to | She had to finish her coffee before entering. |
should | You should inform me first. |
Must vs Have to
You use must when the obligation comes from the speaker
Examples:
You must follow the rules. (I strongly insist)
I must finish this today. (my decision)
Must has no past form, you must use “had to” instead
In real life, the difference is often subtle, and both can be correct:
FILL IN THE BLANKS
Visitors to the city zoo must buy a ticket before entering the main gate. At the entrance, clear signs explain that all guests have to follow the rules to ensure safety for both people and animals. After entering, visitors can explore a wide range of exhibits, but they mustn’t feed the animals under any circumstances. This rule is strictly enforced because improper food can harm the animals and disrupt their natural diet.
Throughout the zoo, guests can take photographs to remember their visit. However, they mustn’t use flash in areas where animals may be sensitive to bright light. In addition, visitors can’t enter restricted zones, which are reserved for staff and animal care. These areas are clearly marked, and everyone must respect the boundaries.
Children visiting the zoo have to stay with an adult at all times. This requirement helps prevent accidents and ensures that young visitors can enjoy the zoo safely. Families can bring food and drinks, but they mustn’t leave any litter behind. To help with this, the zoo provides many bins, and visitors should use them to keep the environment clean.
In certain sections, such as the small farm area, visitors are allowed to interact with selected animals. In these spaces, guests can touch some of the animals, but they must be gentle and calm. Running or shouting near the animals is not permitted, so visitors mustn’t behave in a way that could frighten them. Before entering and after leaving this area, everyone has to wash their hands to maintain hygiene.
The zoo also offers feeding demonstrations, where trained staff show how animals are fed. During these events, visitors must stay behind safety barriers at all times. They can watch and take photos, but they mustn’t cross the marked lines. These precautions are necessary because some animals can be unpredictable, and safety must be the top priority.
In the reptile house, visitors can observe snakes, lizards, and other species up close. However, they mustn’t tap on the glass, as this can stress the animals. Similarly, in the bird aviary, guests can walk freely among the birds, but they must move slowly and quietly.
Before leaving, visitors can visit the gift shop, where they can buy souvenirs. Although they can spend as much time as they like there, they don’t have to purchase anything. The zoo experience remains enjoyable whether or not they choose to buy a souvenir.
Overall, a visit to the zoo offers both enjoyment and learning opportunities. However, visitors must follow all rules and guidelines. By doing so, they help protect the animals, maintain a safe environment, and ensure that everyone can have a pleasant and memorable visit.