Grammar: Modal verbs of deduction: past; Modal verbs for regret and disapproval p. 97

Complete the dialogue with a suitable modal verb of deduction in the past and the verbs below in the correct form.
think • describe • do • read • not be • want

A disappointing book
Alex: I'm reading a fantasy novel and, to be honest, still don't know if I want to finish it.
Jen: Why?
Alex: The plot isn't intriguing. The author ________ inspired when he wrote the book, probably he didn't have much creativity at the time.
Jen: You ________ the blurb before starting it, right? You always check it when you buy a book.
Alex: I don't remember if I did it. Anyway, the protagonist is terrible! In chapter 9 he escapes from his kingdom because he's scared of a monster threatening it.
Jen: Well, the author ________ him like that so that readers could feel they have something in common. It's possible: imperfect heroes are popular right now.
Alex: He ________ that, it's impossible: everybody knows fantasy lovers expect brave heroes, magic and great plot twists.
Jen: I'm not sure... he ________ to change the rules of the game! A lot of writers are doing it in their genres. Two of the best-selling authors from last year did it.
Alex: They ________ it would sell more books. I'm sure.
Jen: Don't be so cynical.

Complete the text with should or shouldn't and the verbs below.
build • be • give • fight • avoid • use

Alex has written what the writer of the fantasy novel he is reading should or shouldn't have done.
1 The protagonist ________ with courage against the monster from the beginning.
2 The writer ________ a fascinating fantasy world, including a map of it at the beginning of the book.
3 He ________ such difficult language, full of old words and long descriptions.
4 He ________ female characters only minor roles.
5 He ________ clichés like special swords and naughty elves.
6 The plot ________ more interesting.

Rewrite the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the underlined sentence. You can use modal verbs of deduction in the past and modal verbs for regret and disapproval.

1 Jen is going through what happened during the last meeting at the book club. Here are her notes.
There weren't many students. Probably they hadn't seen the message on the school website.
2 They ________.
The people who attended looked happy. I'm sure they had a nice time.
3 They ________.
Alex kept speaking about the novel he didn't like. I don't think it was OK for him to do that.
4 He ________.
It's impossible that Sarah chose the book of the month. I'm convinced it was Daniel.
5 Sarah ________.
6 We didn't offer food and it wasn't a good idea.
We ________.