WHOLE BRAIN LEARNING SYSTEM

OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION

GRADE
ENGLISH 9

LEARNING QUARTER I

MODULE WEEK 2
 MODULE IN
ENGLISH 9

QUARTER I
WEEK 2

Modals of Permission
Development Team
Writer: Luzviminda T. Sagario
Editor: Holly Mae Justine R. Pascual
Reviewer: Jacinto B. Pascua
Illustrators: Janet C. Rivera Roger C. Vea
Lay-out Artists: Benjamin Hanson S. Juan Nathaniel Q. Basilio
Management Team: Vilma D. Eda Joye D. Madalipay
Lourdes B. Arucan Juanito V. Labao
Regina Genelin C. Nagtalon Adelyn C. Domingo

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 2

 What I Need to Know

Welcome to this module! Come, let’s take a journey to the history of colonial New
England. The challenges that await you include the discovery of life during the dark
times of England.

As you go through the lessons, you will learn the richness of its history through its
poem full of figurative language, imagery, diction and symbolism.
You will also develop your reading, writing, language and literary skills which will
help you in accomplishing the module’s objectives.

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Express permission, obligation, and prohibition using modals

Objectives:
It’s a great thing to think that after studying and working on all activities in this
module, you will be able to:
1. analyze literature as a means of discovering the self;
2. determine the mood of the poem;
3. identify the proper modals to be used in sentences; and
4. express permission, obligation and prohibition using modals.

What I Know

PRE-TEST

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences with the correct modal. Write your
answers on separate sheet.

1. You _________ leave if you are done with your output.

A. can B. could C. may D. might

2. _________ I come in?

A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might

3. We _________ not get into the cinema without tickets, so we went home.
A. can B. could C. may D. might

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4. _________ I open the window?
A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might

5. _________ you turn on the aircon, please?

A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might

6. You _________ not take a mobile phone into the exam.

A. can B. could C. may D. might

7. _________ you help me?

A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might

8. I'm afraid you _________ not take the exam until you pay the examination fee.
A. can B. could C. may D. might

9. You _________ use my cellphone if you want.

A. can B. could C. may D. might

10. You _________ not smoke anywhere in the hospital.

A. can B. could C. may D. might

Lesson
MODALS OF PERMISSION
1

What’s In

Do you remember Beowulf and his battle with Grendel? He is indeed very powerful,
right? I hope you realized that we, too, possess power which we use to perform our
obligations.

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 In our past lesson, you identified your own strengths and expressed these using
modals of obligations.

This time let us maximize your abilities by playing the role of a big sister or big
brother to your younger sibling. During the time of health pandemic where minors are
not allowed to go out to avoid the spread of a virus, how do you respond to a child who
asks permission to go out? Instead of writing in the dialogue balloons, Write your
responses on a separate sheet of paper.

Can you take me to

1. the mall?

May I play
computer games?
2.

Okay, I’ll just text

my friends. Could
I borrow your
3. phone?

Image: (Nicubunu, 2014)

What are the modal verbs used in the dialogue?

Yes, these are can, may, and could. What is the function of these modals?

Yes, you are right! They express permission.

What’s New

Did you notice that we sound polite if we use modals to request? We do not only
use and hear modals in oral conversation, but these are also used in literary pieces like
poems. Here is a poem that makes use of a modal. Beside it is the author and his brief
biography.

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Pre-Reading

The poem that you are about to read is one of the poems written during the Dark
Romanticism, a literary genre that emerged in America from about 1836 through the
1840's. The works in this genre focused on the dark side of humanity and looked at the
weaknesses of not only individuals but the society as a whole. Try to understand the
poem below and see how literary pieces were written in this era.

Before you read the poem, let us unlock some difficult terms which are used in
the poem. If you understand all the words used, you will have a better grasp of the ideas
and deeper understanding of the meaning of the poem.

Match the term in column A to its corresponding definition in column B. Write the
letter of your answers in your activity notebook. The definitions are taken from
Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2020).

A B
1. veil a. a cause of hopelessness
2. cast b. a cause of suffering
3. grief c. to cause to move or send forth by throwing
4. despair d. a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the
head and shoulders
5. slumber e. a light sleep
6. gloom f. an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or
end
7. corroding g. partial or total darkness
8. fate h. a friendly gesture
i. weakening or destroying gradually

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 6

Reading
Now, you are ready to read the poem
“Oh could I raise the darken’d veil.”
COULD I RAISE THE DARKEN’D VEIL
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
(American Literature, n.d.)
1 Oh could I raise the darken’d veil,
2 Which hides my future life from me,
3 Could unborn ages slowly sail,
4 Before my view—and could I see Image: (Library of Congress 2020)
5 My every action painted there, Nathaniel Hawthorne was an
6 To cast one look I would not dare. American novelist, dark romantic, and
short story writer. His works often
7 There poverty and grief might stand, focus on history, morality, and
8 And dark Despair’s corroding hand, religion. He was born in 1804 in
9
Salem, Massachusetts (Wikipedia
Would make me seek the lonely tomb 2019).
10 To slumber in its endless gloom. Though not widely recognized
11
for his poetry, “Oh Could I Raise the
Then let me never cast a look, Darken'd Veil” is a fine example of
12 Within Fate’s fix’d mysterious book. Hawthorne's achievements in
the Dark Romanticism genre. It was
first published in his family's amateur
newspaper Hawthorne edited when
he was only 16, The Spectator in
1820 (American Literature, n.d.).

Post-Reading
Let us see if you understood the poem. Answer the questions below. Write your
answers in your activity notebook.
1. What is the modal of permission used in the poem?
2. What does the speaker intend to do in the first line?
3. What is a veil? What does the veil represent in the poem?
4. What will he see behind the veil?
5. Does he really want to raise the veil? What are the lines that prove your answer?
6 Why does/doesn’t the speaker like to raise the veil?
7. Why is the veil darkened?
8. Why does he describe the book of Fate as fixed?
9. Do you like to raise the veil of the future? How would you do it?
10. What is the mood of the poem? Give 3 words that suggest the mood of the poem.

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 7

 What is It

In the poem that you read, notice that the modal could is used to express
something that the speaker wants to do. Could makes our statement of permission and
request very polite. Aside from could, there are other modal verbs that are used to
express permission and request.

Modal Verbs of Permission

When we ask for and give permission, we often use modal verbs. The most
common modal verbs to indicate permission are can, could, may and might.

Can

“Can” is used to indicate permissions at present.

We use “can” when we ask for permission in an informal conversation, like when we
talk to our friend or a family member.

I am so tired; can we take a rest?

Can we have something for snack?

We use “can” when we ask for permission from someone we know in informal
situation.

Can I make a suggestion?

Can I take this box?

We use “can” when we ask for permission from someone we don’t know for
something less important or unimportant.

Can drop my ticket here?

Can I take off my mask?

Also, when we give permission to others, we use “can.”

You can go out tonight but you have to come home before the curfew hour.
Students can enroll on line before the classes start.
People with pass slip can go to the supermarket on a scheduled day.

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Could

“Could” is used for more formal situations. If we want to be polite or to show respect,
“could” is a better choice than “can.”

We use “could” when we talk to a boss, a teacher, or a stranger.

Could I ask something, Ma’am?

Could I say something?
Could I borrow this book, please?

We use “could” to say someone was allowed to do something in the past.

We could play with our friends after doing our chores.

When we were kids, we could get fruits from our neighbors’ tree for free.

But remember, “could” is not used for giving permissions.

May

May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission.
We use “may” if we ask for permission or request in a formal situation.

May I see your pass slip, please?

May I have this dance?

We use “may” when we give permission or say that someone has permission.

Students may request for a copy of their test results.

The modules may be photocopied to be distributed to the students in distance
learning.

Might

“Might” is rarely used in asking for permission because its usage is considered old
fashioned. It is mostly used in indirect question structures.
Might I ask your name?
Might I interrupt you for a moment?
I wonder if I might leave work a bit earlier today.

Remember: When it comes to formality of use in asking for and giving permission, “may”
is the most formal; “could” is less formal; and “can” is informal. Might is not often used as
it is considered very old fashioned.

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 9

Now, look at the telephone conversation and see how modals of permission are used:

While Ana is watching TV, the telephone rings.

Ana: Hello?
James: Hello, this is James. May I speak with Joan, please?
Ana: One moment please.
After a while…
Ana: James? I’m sorry, but my sister is in the bathroom. Would you like
to leave a message?
James: Yes, could you ask her to call me back?
Ana: Of course. Does she have your number?
James: I just changed my sim card. May you take my new number for her,
please?
Ana: Oh, sure! Can you wait for a second? I’ll just get a pen and paper.
James: No problem.
Ana: Now, let me take your number.
James: It’s 09191234567
Ana: Okay, I got it.
James: Can you read it for me?
Ana: 09191234567
James: Yes, that’s right. Thanks a lot. Bye!
Ana: You’re welcome. Bye!

What’s More

I. Can I Have Your Permission?

How do you give or ask for permission in the following situations? Write your
sentences with modals can, could or may in your activity notebook.

1. You’re a student and you formally ask a teacher for permission to leave the room.
2. You ask your mother for permission to go to a party tonight. You are polite but
don’t use ‘may.’
3. Tell your friend that everyone has permission to wear any kind of socks in school.

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 10

 4. Borrow some money from your friend. Use an informal question.
5. You’re a teacher and you tell a student that she is permitted to take a bottle of
water during the exam.
6. Explain that when you were small, you didn’t have permission to eat chocolate
before bed.
7. You borrow the phone charger of your brother in a not so formal manner.
8. You are a guard in a grocery store. You formally ask a customer to let you check
his/her temperature before entering the grocery store.
9. You tell your younger brother that it is okay for him to use your earphone.
10. You ask permission from your teacher to share your notebook to your classmate
who was absent the day before.

II. May I Know the Signs?

Below are common signages we see in public places. What do these signs
mean? Construct possible statements of permission which you can possibly have in
mind when you see these. Use modals can, could or may. Do this on a separate answer
sheet.

1. 2. 3. 4.
Image: Image: Image: Image:
(Wikimedia Commons, 2020) (Wikimedia Commons, 2020) (Free SVG, 2016) (Open Clipart, 2015)

5. 6. 7. 8.
Image: Image: Image: Image:
(Open Clipart, 2017) (Open Clipart, 2017) (Wikimedia Commons, 2019) (Henning, 2014)

9. 10.
Image: Image:
(Wikimedia Commons, 2019) (Wikimedia Commons, 2019)

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III. Can you Tell Me the Difference?

I am sure you often hear your parents or elders say something that begin with the
line, “When we were kids…” Then a long litany of things they were allowed to do when
they were your age would follow. Then you would end up imagining the lifestyle of the
youth of yesteryears. How about writing these things down along with the things that the
youth of the present generation are allowed to do. Let us see who’s going to have a
longer list!
Ask your parent or an elder to enumerate the things that they were allowed to do
when they were kids. Write these in the column “They Could; They May”. In column “We
Can; We May”, list down the things that the youth of today are allowed to do. The first
set is given as an example.

They Could; They May We Can; We May

They could play in the fields under the We can use our gadgets after doing our
moonlight. assignments.

What I Have Learned

DIRECTIONS: Complete the table below to summarize what you have learned.

Modals of Permission

Modals Meaning/ Use Example

1.

2.

3.

4.

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 12

 What I Can Do
As we face the global pandemic brought by coronavirus, we are forced
to live in a “new normal” world. Under a Modified General Quarantine, some people are
permitted to go out and continue with their usual activities, but health protocols must be
observed. As a way of helping the community adapt to the new situation, post friendly
reminders in Facebook for the front liners and members of the skeletal forces in different
agencies to be safe from coronavirus. Use modals of permission in your sentence. Write
these in a poster-slogan template to be posted in your Facebook Wall. Don’t forget to
tag your teacher.

Example:

Image: (Freepik, n.d.)

Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. You can
go out but you need to observe social distancing at all times.

Assessment

POST-TEST
Fill in each blank with the correct modal. Choose from the following options:
1. Mom, _________ I go with Pedro to the barangay night?
A. can B. could C. may D. might
2. _________ you lend me your pencil please? I left mine at home.
A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might
3. Hello, _________ I speak with Mr. Reyes please?
A. can B. could C. may D. might
4. Waiter, _________ I trouble you for a glass of water please? (very formal)
A. can B. could C. may D. might
5. _________ you give me hand with these books?

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 13

 A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might
6. You _________ bring a friend to the party on Saturday if you want.
A. can B. could C. may D. might
7. _________ I see the attendance sheet? Thank you.
A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might
8. When I was a child, I _________ go to my friend’s house.
A. can B. could C. may D. might
9. _________ I have another slice of cake? (very formal)
A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might
10. _________ I wear shorts in the party?
A. Can B. Could C. May D. Might

Additional Activity
The following are situations where the characters are asking for
permission. What do you think are they saying? Write possible
statements using modals of permission. Instead of writing your
sentences in the dialogue balloons, write them in your activity notebook.

1. 2. 2.

Photo Credits: Open Clipart 2020

Photo Credits: Freepik, n.d.

3. 4.

Photo Credits: Classroom Clipart 2020

5. Photo Credits: Open Clipart 2020

Photo Credits: MyCuteGraphics, n.d.

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15 9 English Self-Learning Module MELC-Aligned WBLS-OBE
What I Know
1. C. may
2. A. can / C. may
3. B. could
4. B. could / C. may
5. B. could
6. A. can / C. may
7. A. can / B. could
8. C. may
9. A. can
10. A. can
Post-Reading
1. could
2. He wants to raise the darkened veil.
3. A veil is a fine material worn by a woman to protect the face. In the poem, it
represents the boundary between the present and the future.
4. His future and the “unborn ages.”
5. No. Lines 6 and 11.
6. He will have the weight of the entire world’s future on him.
7. Because behind it is a tragic future of poverty and grief.
8. Because whatever the fate holds cannot be changed.
9. (Answers vary)
10. Gloomy or sad. Darkened, poverty, grief, despair, lonely, gloom.
I. Can I Have Your Permission?
Possible Answers
1. May I leave the room?
2. Can I go to the party tonight?
3. You can wear any kind of socks to school.
4. Can I borrow some money?
5. You may take a bottle of water into the exam
6. When I was little, I couldn’t eat chocolate before bed.
7. Could I borrow your charger?
8. May I please check your temperature?
9. You can use my earphone.
May I lend my notebook to her?
II. May I Know the Signs?
Possible Answers
1. Persons with disability may pass this way.
2. Can you put your trash here?
3. Can we cross here?
4. Could you please exit this way, please?
5. Can I park my bike here?
Key Answer
16 9 English Self-Learning Module MELC-Aligned WBLS-OBE
6. Can I use my phone even for a while?
7. You can play music outside.
8. Could I leave my dog in the parking area?
9. Could I take a shower now?
10. We can swim in the other side.
What I Have Learned
Modals of Permission
Modals Meaning/ Use Example
for asking permission that
1. can Can I use the computer?
is informal
for polite permission (but
2. could Could I use this seat?
not to give it)
the most formal way of May I have your name,
3. may
asking for permission Ma’am?
old-fashioned way of
4. might asking for permission. It is Might I take this dance?
rarely used.
What I Can Do
Outputs vary but use the following rubric.
4 (Excellent) 3 (Very Good) 2 (Good) 1 (Fair)
Craftmanshi The poster is The poster is The poster The poster is
p exceptionally attractive is distractingly
attractive in terms of acceptably messy or
in terms of design, attractive very poorly
design, layout, and though it designed. It
layout, and neatness. may be a bit is not
neatness. messy. attractive.
Graphics - All graphics are All graphics are Graphics Graphics do
Relevance related to the related to the are related not relate to
topic and make topic and make to the topic the topic
the thoughts most of the but make
easy to thoughts easy the thought
understand. to understand. hard to
understand.
Content It incorporates It incorporates It It doesn’t
accurate and strong and incorporates incorporate
relevant theme. relevant theme. weak but the theme.
relevant
theme.
Language/G The slogan uses The slogan The slogan The slogan
rammar modals correctly uses modals has no uses modals
and has no correctly but grammatical incorrectly
grammatical with mistakes and has
mistakes. grammatical but uses grammatical
mistakes. modals mistakes.
incorrectly.
References
Advanced English Grammar. (n.d.) “Modal Verbs of Permission.” Retrieved July 19,
2020, from http://www.advanced-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-
permission.html

American Literature. ( n.d). “Oh Could I Raise the Darken’d Veil”. Retrieved August 6,
2020, from https://americanliterature.com/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/poem/
oh-could-i-raise-the-darkend-veil

Classroom Clipart. (2020). “Teacher Welcome Student Back to School.” Retrieved

August 9, 2020, fromhttps://classroomclipart.com/clipart-view/Clipart/School/
teacher-welcome-student-back-to-school-chalkboard-2_jpg.htm

Freepik. (2020). “Social Distancing Illustrated Concept.” Retrieved August 9, 2020,

from https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/social-distancing-illustrated-concept
_7533006.htm#page=1&query=social%20distancing&position=0

Free SVG. (2016). “Vector Image of a Road Sign Warning for School Crossing.”
Retrieved August 9, 2020, from https://freesvg.org/school-crossing

Henning, T. (2014). “No Pets Allowed”. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from

http://www.publicdomainfiles.com/show_file.php?id=13939039215168

Library of Congress. (2020). “A Photographic Portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne.”

Retrieved August 9,2020 from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nathaniel
_Hawthorne_by_Brady, _1860-64.jpg

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2020). “Merriam-Webster Dictionary.” Retrieved August

9, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

My Cute Graphics. (n.d.). “Kids Using School Computer.” Retrieved August 9, 2020
from https://www.mycutegraphics.com/graphics/school/school-kids/
kids-using-school-computer.html

Nicubunu. (2014). “Comic Characters: Boy.” Wikimedia Foundation. Retrieved August

9, 2020, from http://www.publicdomainfiles.com/show_file.php
?id=13932688212001

Open Clipart. (2015). “Exit Sign.” Retrieved August 9, 2020,

from https://openclipart.org/detail/223635/exit-sign

Open Clipart. (2017). “Prohibit Bikes.” Retrieved August 9, 2020,

from https://openclipart.org/detail/289280/prohibit-bikes

Open Clipart. (2017). “No Cellphone Allowed.” Retrieved August 9, 2020,

from https://openclipart.org/detail/275194/no-cellphone-allowed-
prohibido-el-uso-de-telefonos-moviles

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 17

Public Doman Files, (n.d.), “No Swimming Sign.” Retrieved August 9, 2020 from
https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=40200&picture
=no-swimming-sign

Study.com. (2020). “Dark Romanticism: Definition, Poems & Books | Study.Com.”

Retrieved August 9, 2020. https://study.com/academy/lesson/dark-romanticism-
definition-poems-books.html

Wikimedia Commons. (2019). “No Loud Music”. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:No_Loud_Music_-_Bawal_Magpatugtog_
ng_Malakas.svg

Wikimedia Commons. (2020). “Aiga Litter Disposal”. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aiga_litterdisposal.svg

WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module English 9 18

 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education-Schools Division of Laoag City
Curriculum Implementation Division (CID)
Brgy. 23 San Matias, Laoag City 2900
Contact Number: (077)771-3678
Email Address: laoagcity@deped.gov.ph

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