Question

Reading quotations, sometimes, can be deceiving. We may or may not understand easily. Read the following quotation and analyze the statements.

“Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century.”. - Dame Edna Everage


I. The meaning of the quotation is influenced by the modal verb “could”.
II. If you don’t laugh at yourself, for sure you will miss out the joke of the century.
III. “Could”, in this sentence, is used to reassure certainty to the idea of missing out the joke of the century.
IV. If I change the modal verb “could” to “should”, the sentence would have the same meaning.

​It is correct what is stated on:
Alternativas
Alternativa 1:
I, only.

Alternativa 2:
I and II, only.

Alternativa 3:
I and IV, only.

Alternativa 4:
I, II and III, only.

Alternativa 5:
I, II, III, IV.

Answer 1

A melhor resposta é a alternativa 1.

I. Verdadeiro. O modal verb "could "dá sentido ao quotation.

II. Falso. A frase diz que você pode perder a piada do século e não que você vai perder.

III. Falso. Estabelece uma possibilidade e não uma certeza.

IV. Falso. "Should" tem um sentido de fornecer um conselho (Ex.: You should study for the tests), já could uma possibilidade.