121
SPECTACULAR ACCIDENT
12.3
4
a
Find words and phrases in the text that mean the
following.
emergency landing investigators standard
residents descending bystanders
1
an occasion when a plane is forced to land (para 1)
2
people who carry out an official enquiry (para 2)
3
normal, not unusual (para 3)
4
people who live in a particular place (para 4)
5
going downwards (para 4)
6
people who are present for an unusual event (para 6)
4
b
Complete the report below with the words in
Exercise 4a.
1
are looking into another accident after a plane
was forced to make an
2
. Local
3
reported
seeing the plane suddenly
4
from a height of 800
metres yesterday. Airline officials said this was a
5
procedure when there was a problem with
air pressure. However, many
6
reported seeing
smoke coming from the plane.
LISTENING
5
a
12.2
Listen to eight speakers talking about the
same incident. What are they talking about? What
details can you remember?
5
b
Listen again. Which speaker (1–8):
a
thinks the flight was successful in one way?
b
think it’s possible that the pilots were doing
something wrong?
c
thinks the airline definitely didn’t know about any
problems?
d
think it’s possible that the enginesweren’t working
properly?
e
is sure that the problem was very serious?
f
says too many people were involved?
g
is sure that the pilots are not able to speak to
investigators?
h
think it’s possible that the outcome was much worse?
GRAMMAR
MODALS (PAST DEDUCTION)
6
a
Look at these opinions from Exercise 5. From the
speaker’s point of view, answer
yes
,
no
or
not sure
to
the question that follows each opinion.
1
They might have had a problem with the engines.
Did they have a problem with the engines?
2
They shouldn’t have taken off if there was a
problem.
Did they take off if there was a problem?
3
They can’t have known about any problems.
Did
they know about any problems?
4
They should have checked the plane very closely.
Did they check the plane more closely?
5
A lot of people could have been hurt.
Were s lot of
people hurt?
6
The pilot might have fallen asleep.
Did the pilot fall
asleep?
7
There must have been a serious problem.
Was there a
serious problem?
8
It couldn’t have been more successful.
Was it successful?
6
b
Look at the sentences in Exercise 6a. Match them
with the meanings a–e below. There may be more than
one sentence for each meaning.
a
This wasn’t a good idea, but it happened.
b
This was a good idea, but it didn’t happen.
c
It is possible, but not certain, that this happened.
d
It is logically certain that this happened.
e
It was not possible for this to have happened.
6
c
Complete the rule.
The modal perfect is formed with a modal verb
(
must
/
should
) +
+ past participle.
Ê
Language reference and extra practice pages 148–149
7
What are your opinions of the accidents described
in this lesson? Write five sentences using modal
perfects, then discuss them with a partner.
The pilot in Sweden shouldn’t have taken off.
SPEAKING
8
Mystery!
You are going to try and solve a mystery.
Work in groups. You are accident investigators. Read
the newspaper report below, and discuss what you
think happened.
Explain your ideas to the class. Then ask your teacher
Yes/no questions to find the solution.
R
eports are coming in of a remarkable situation
following a car accident on the M25 today. Mr Sean
Clarkson (43) of West Ruislip, London, was driving with
his son, Toby (14) when their car was involved in an
accident with another car.
Martin Lancaster, a bystander who was out for a walk,
said, ‘All I heard was a loud crash, so I turned to see
what was happening. It was terrible. I’m amazed they all
survived.’
Mr Clarkson was unconscious but not seriously injured.
However, Toby Clarkson was admitted to the local
hospital for surgery at 17.35. Reports suggest that the
hospital was extremely busy at the time, but a surgeon
was called and Toby Clarkson was taken into the
operating theatre at 17.45, where he was prepared for
surgery.
Phil Newman explains what happened next. ‘Everything
was normal until the surgeon arrived,’ he said. According
to the Phil and other independent witnesses, the surgeon
took one look at Toby Clarkson and said, ‘I can’t operate
on this young man. He’s my son!’
25 September | NEWS
