Dear Abby - composition

Hi, guys. How's everything?

This post is especially directed to Gustavo and Ana who missed our last class.

As to practice modal verbs, we checked this website  http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/?uc_full_date=20120912 which is about these people who write about their problems and ask this Dear Abby for some advice.

We discussed about the modal verbs that appear in the letters such as may, might, can, should... and their functions. We concluded that they are there to show possible solutions for the problem. For example, instead of saying Making conversation is "a lot of trouble" to you, she says  Making conversation may seem like "a lot of trouble" to you.

So, in order to practice these modal verbs, each person wrote a problem on a piece of paper and then we exchanged the problems. We did not use real names so nobody knows who has the problem. After they got their classmate's problem, they have to be Dear Abby and write an advice for the problem trying to use modal verbs.

Because you did not come last class, I will write two problems here and you guys, Gustavo and Ana, will write the solution and bring it to me next class. You also have to post it here on the blog. It's a graded activity and it will be exposed on the walls of Number One.

Problem 1 - to Ana

I am 18 and I love going out. I work, I do well in school, I'm responsible and all that, but my parents insist on not permitting me to go out with my friends. They say I am responsible but my friends are not. I think it's not fair. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I have my money, so I pay my bills. I don't think they should decide who I go out with because it's my life!!! What should I do? I have talked to them a billion times and they don't listen to me. I don't want to be a rebel, but I want my freedom! HELP ME, dear Abby.
Sincerely and desperately, Miss Independent Wannabe.

Problem 2 - to Gustavo

Hi, dear Abby. I am 25 and lonely. I am a romantic, sincere, friendly, not very funny, but good-humored man. However I am single and I don't understand why. I start many relationships and they seem to be going really well and then, all of a sudden, they dump me with no apparent reason. They always say it is them not me, but I can't believe. There might be something wrong with me. I am no Johnny Depp and no Brad Pitt, actually I am more like  Jack Black. Short, kind of fat, but you know, I have a good heart! Help me, dear Abby. I don't want to be forever alone!

Yours, Mr. Lonely no more.


That's it, guys!!! Let's get down to work!

See you next class!