Assignment 2
(EXCEPTIONAL ANSWERS)
Due 17 June 2025
, ENG1515
Assignment 2
Due 17 June 2025
SECTION A: Content-based Questions (Text A)
1.1 Refer to the underlined modal verb in paragraph 1 and explain its purpose in
the context of the text.
The underlined modal verb in paragraph 1 is "can" ("Missing the deadline can result in
delays..."). In this context, "can" primarily conveys possibility or potential
consequence. Its purpose is to alert students to the non-deterministic yet highly
probable adverse outcomes of failing to meet the registration deadline. By expressing
possibility rather than certainty (e.g., "will result"), "can" serves as a persuasive
rhetorical device, urging students toward proactive action by highlighting potential
negative ramifications, such as delays in academic progression or restricted access to
desired courses, without definitively stating that these outcomes are unavoidable. This
nuance implicitly encourages foresight and timely adherence to institutional procedures.
1.2 Create a sentence of your own in which you use the underlined word referred
to in 1.1 as a different part of speech. Underline the word and explain its function.
Sentence: The hiker spotted a discarded soda can near the trail.
Explanation: In this sentence, "can" functions as a noun, specifically a common,
concrete noun. It refers to a cylindrical metal container used for storing beverages. This
usage starkly contrasts with its function as a modal auxiliary verb in Text A, where it
indicated possibility. Here, "can" acts as the direct object of the verb "spotted," signifying
a physical object rather than a grammatical modifier of a verb.