In the ALCPT, you need to understand English patterns quickly.
You do not need difficult grammar words first. You need to know the meaning when you hear or read the pattern.
Look at the pattern, check the meaning, and read the example sentences aloud.
Use this when someone should do something because of a rule, plan, or expectation.
- You are supposed to wear your ID badge inside the building.
- Employees are supposed to attend the safety briefing.
- You are not supposed to park in this area.
Use this when something is necessary. Must is stronger than have to.
- I have to submit this form by Friday.
- All visitors must show their ID at the gate.
- You must follow the safety instructions.
This is common in spoken English. It can sound fast in listening.
- I’ve got to call my supervisor.
- We’ve got to leave before noon.
- You’ve got to finish the report today.
Need to means necessary. Want to means someone wants to do something.
- You need to fill out this application form.
- I need to check the schedule before the meeting.
- I want to speak with the manager.
- She wants to change her appointment.
Use this when someone can do something or has permission. May is more polite than can.
- Can I use this phone?
- May I speak to Captain Smith?
- You may enter the building after showing your ID.
Use this when a rule says something is OK or not OK.
- Visitors are not allowed to enter this area.
- Are we allowed to use the computer room?
- You are allowed to take a break after the briefing.
This is a formal pattern. You may see it in rules, plans, or announcements.
- All personnel are to report to the main office at 0900.
- The meeting is to begin at 10:30.
- You are to follow the instructions carefully.
Use this when someone has the ability or chance to do something.
- I can repair the computer this afternoon.
- She can speak English and Japanese.
- Will you be able to attend the meeting tomorrow?
Could has more than one meaning. Look at the sentence carefully.
- When I was younger, I could run five miles easily.
- The shipment could arrive tomorrow.
- Could you tell me where the office is?
Use this when something is possible, but not 100% sure.
- The meeting may be canceled.
- He might be in the training room.
- It may take about twenty minutes to process your request.
Must can mean “I am sure this is true.”
- He must be the new supervisor.
- You must be tired after the long flight.
- This must be the correct form.
This means something is not allowed. It is strong.
- You must not enter the restricted area.
- Visitors must not take pictures inside the building.
- You must not share your password with anyone.
Use this when you think something is not possible.
- That can’t be the correct address.
- He couldn’t be the person in charge.
- The office can’t be closed already.
Use will for future actions, predictions, or decisions. Use be going to for plans.
- I will call you after the meeting.
- The office will open at 8:30.
- We are going to inspect the equipment tomorrow.
- She is going to attend the training next week.
Use this when something will happen very soon.
- The briefing is about to begin.
- I am about to leave the office.
- The bus is about to depart.
Use this for a past plan. Sometimes the plan did not happen.
- I was going to call you, but I got busy.
- They were going to repair the air conditioner yesterday.
- We were going to have a meeting, but it was canceled.
Use this style for fixed schedules, such as trains, meetings, classes, training, and office hours.
- The train leaves at 7:45.
- The meeting starts at 9:00.
- The office closes at 5:00 p.m.
Use this when you want to say something is a good idea. Should is more common than ought to.
- You should check your schedule before you make an appointment.
- He should arrive at the base by noon.
- You ought to report the problem to your supervisor.
This is stronger than should. It can sound like a warning.
- You had better leave now, or you will be late.
- You had better bring your ID card.
- You had better not miss the briefing.
Use this when someone wants one choice more than another choice.
- I would rather take the bus than drive.
- She would rather work in the morning.
- We would rather have the meeting online.
Use this when someone likes one thing more than another thing.
- I prefer coffee to tea.
- He prefers working alone to working in a group.
- I prefer to take the early bus rather than wait for the next one.
This looks like a “why” question, but it often gives advice or a suggestion.
- Why don’t you ask your supervisor?
- Why don’t you make an appointment first?
- Why not take a short break?
Have is often used when someone arranges an action. Make is stronger.
- I had the mechanic check my car.
- The supervisor had us attend the briefing.
- The officer made the soldiers wait outside.
Use this when someone asks, persuades, or arranges for another person to do something.
- I got him to help me with the report.
- She got the technician to repair the printer.
- We got the manager to approve the request.
Use this when another person does something for you. Sometimes it can show a bad event.
- I had my computer repaired.
- She got her uniform cleaned.
- He had his wallet stolen.
Use this when the action is more important than the person who did it.
- The form was submitted yesterday.
- The meeting was canceled because of the storm.
- The equipment is inspected every month.
This is common in spoken English. It often shows a change, accident, or problem.
- He got injured during training.
- The package got damaged during shipment.
- I got stuck in traffic this morning.
Use this for a past habit or past situation.
- I used to work at a different office.
- He used to live near the base.
- When we were students, we would study together after class.
After be used to or be accustomed to, use a noun or an -ing form.
- I am used to working early in the morning.
- She is used to the new schedule.
- They are accustomed to following strict rules.
This pattern is common in rules, advice, and explanations.
- It is important to follow the instructions.
- It is necessary for employees to attend the training.
- It was kind of you to help the visitor.
Use this when two things are the same or almost the same.
- This office is as large as the old one.
- He speaks English as clearly as his supervisor.
- The second test was not as difficult as the first one.
Use these patterns when one thing causes another thing.
- The instructions were so clear that everyone understood them.
- He was so tired that he missed the meeting.
- It was such an important briefing that all employees had to attend.
Use this when something is a problem because it is too much.
- The box is too heavy to carry alone.
- He was too busy to attend the meeting.
- The instructions were too complicated to understand.
Use this when something is enough for an action.
- The room is large enough to hold thirty people.
- She spoke slowly enough for everyone to understand.
- He is experienced enough to handle the problem.
This pattern can be difficult. First, remember the examples.
- I wish I had more time.
- She wishes she could speak English more fluently.
- I wish I had attended the briefing.
- First, look at the blue pattern title.
- Next, check the yellow meaning box.
- Then, read the example sentences aloud.
- Do not memorize difficult grammar words first.
- Try to understand the pattern quickly.
1. Visitors are not _____ to enter this area.
- A. allow
- B. allowed
- C. allowing
- D. allows
Answer: B. allowed
2. You had better _____ your ID card.
- A. bring
- B. brings
- C. brought
- D. bringing
Answer: A. bring
3. The meeting may _____ canceled.
- A. is
- B. are
- C. be
- D. being
Answer: C. be
4. I had my computer _____.
- A. repair
- B. repaired
- C. repairing
- D. repairs
Answer: B. repaired
5. The box is too heavy _____ alone.
- A. carry
- B. carrying
- C. to carry
- D. carried
Answer: C. to carry
For the ALCPT, do not start with difficult grammar words. Start with useful English patterns.
When you hear be supposed to, have to, may, had better, or be allowed to, you need to understand the meaning quickly.
Read the example sentences many times. Practice aloud. This will help you understand ALCPT listening and reading questions faster.