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Reading Worksheet

Into the Wild

B1 Modals of Obligation: must, have to, need to Nature and National Parks 25 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • Have you ever visited a national park or nature reserve? What was it like?
  • Why do you think national parks have strict rules for visitors?
  • What kind of animals might you see in a large national park?
  • What do you think a park ranger does every day?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
geothermal (adj.) related to heat produced inside the earth The geothermal areas in the park are dangerous — the ground is extremely hot.
designated (adj.) officially chosen or set aside for a particular purpose Food must be stored in designated containers at the campsite.
ranger (n.) an official who manages and protects a national park or natural area The ranger patrols the park every morning to check for problems.
patrol (v.) to regularly check an area in order to maintain safety or security Guards have to patrol the building every two hours.
species (n.) a group of animals or plants of the same type Rangers need to know the behaviour of every major species in the park.
offence (n.) an action that breaks the law or an official rule Using a drone near wildlife is a serious offence in the park.
Reading Text
Magazine Article ~285 words

Into the Wild: Rules and Responsibilities in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park in the United States is one of the most spectacular natural places on Earth. Every year, millions of visitors come to see its geothermal features, wildlife, and landscapes. But visiting the park is not without responsibility — there are strict rules for everyone.

All visitors have to buy a park pass before entering. Inside the park, they must stay on marked trails near geothermal areas — the ground can collapse without warning, and temperatures underground can reach over 200°C. Visitors mustn't feed the animals under any circumstances. They don't have to camp overnight, but those who do need to store all food in designated containers so that bears cannot access it.

You don't need to bring specialist equipment to enjoy the park — comfortable walking shoes and a warm layer are usually enough. But appropriate footwear is essential. Rangers say that injuries often happen because visitors wear the wrong shoes on uneven terrain.

Rangers have a very different set of responsibilities. They have to patrol the park every day, sometimes in extreme weather conditions. They must carry first aid equipment and a radio at all times. Rangers need to know the behaviour of every major species in the park — from bison to wolves. They don't have to stay overnight, but many choose to because it helps them do their job better.

The environmental rules are just as important. Visitors must not leave any litter — all waste has to be carried out of the park. Dogs have to be kept on a lead at all times. Drones are not permitted anywhere in the park. Disturbing wildlife is a serious offence.

"You have to care about the environment to come here," says one experienced ranger. "If everyone follows the rules, the park takes care of itself."

Notice the Grammar

Look at these sentences: 'Visitors must stay on marked trails.' / 'They have to buy a pass.' / 'They don't have to camp.' / 'Visitors mustn't feed the animals.' What is the difference in meaning between these sentences? Which ones express obligation? Which express prohibition? Which say something is not necessary?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer these questions in a few words.

  1. What is the main purpose of this article?
  2. Who does the article give information about?
  3. What is the general message at the end of the article?
2 Reading for Detail

Write short answers based on the text.

  1. Why must visitors stay on marked trails near geothermal areas?
  2. What do campers need to do with their food?
  3. What equipment must rangers carry at all times?
  4. Why do some rangers choose to stay overnight even though they don't have to?  a) Because it is a rule for senior rangers. b) Because they enjoy camping in the park. c) Because it helps them do their job better. 
  5. Name two things that are forbidden for visitors in the park.
3 True, False, or Not Given

Write T (True), F (False), or NG (Not Given).

  1. All visitors must buy a park pass before they enter Yellowstone.
  2. Visitors are allowed to feed animals if they use the correct food.
  3. Yellowstone receives more than two million visitors every year.
  4. Rangers need to understand the behaviour of the park's wildlife.
  5. Visitors have to bring specialist walking equipment.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer these questions about words from the article.

  1. What does 'designated' mean in 'designated containers'?  a) Cheap containers bought in a local shop. b) Officially chosen containers provided for a specific purpose. c) Heavy metal containers for keeping food cold. 
  2. The article says disturbing wildlife is a 'serious offence'. What does 'offence' mean here?
  3. Find a word in paragraph 4 that means 'to regularly check an area for safety'. 
  4. What does 'geothermal' mean? Write your own definition using clues from the text.
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities about modals of obligation.

  1. Find examples in the text. Write four sentences that express obligation (must/have to/need to) and two sentences about things that are not required or not allowed.
    Obligation (x4):  Not required / not allowed (x2): 
  2. What is the general difference between 'must' and 'have to'?
  3. Which sentence is correct?  a) Visitors mustn't feed animals — it's optional. b) Visitors mustn't feed animals — it's forbidden. c) Visitors don't have to feed animals — it's forbidden. 
  4. Rewrite these ideas using the modal given. (a) 'It is essential that all visitors buy a pass.' → 'All visitors ___ buy a pass.' (b) 'It is forbidden to leave litter.' → 'Visitors ___ leave litter.' (c) 'Rangers staying overnight is not required.' → 'Rangers ___ stay overnight.'
  5. Write three sentences about rules for a place you know (school, gym, workplace, etc.). Use 'must', 'have to', and 'don't have to'.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss with a partner. Share one idea with the class.

  1. Would you like to visit a national park like Yellowstone? Why or why not?
  2. Do you think the rules in the article are fair? Are any too strict?
  3. What rules do you think are most important to protect the environment where you live?

Answer Key

Into the Wild — B1 — Modals of Obligation: must, have to, need to

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. To explain the rules and responsibilities for visitors and rangers at Yellowstone National Park.
  2. Visitors to the park and park rangers.
  3. If everyone follows the rules, the park looks after itself / caring about the environment is essential.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. Because the ground can collapse and temperatures underground can reach over 200°C.
  2. Store it in designated containers so bears cannot access it.
  3. First aid equipment and a radio.
  4. c)
  5. Feeding animals and leaving litter (also: using drones; not keeping dogs on a lead).

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. T — The text states 'All visitors have to buy a park pass before entering.'
  2. F — The text says 'Visitors mustn't feed the animals under any circumstances.'
  3. NG — The text says 'millions of visitors' but gives no exact number.
  4. T — The text says 'Rangers need to know the behaviour of every major species.'
  5. F — The text says 'You don't need to bring specialist equipment.'

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. An action that breaks the law or an official rule.
  3. patrol
  4. Related to heat produced inside the Earth — the text mentions underground temperatures and dangerous ground in geothermal areas.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. Obligation examples: 'All visitors have to buy a park pass.' / 'They must stay on marked trails.' / 'They must carry first aid equipment and a radio.' / 'Rangers need to know the behaviour of every major species.' Not required/not allowed: 'They don't have to camp overnight.' / 'You don't need to bring specialist equipment.' / 'Visitors mustn't feed the animals.'
  2. 'Must' is often more formal or official — it can come from the speaker's own authority or a rule. 'Have to' usually expresses an external necessity or rule. In many everyday situations, they are interchangeable.
  3. b)
  4. (a) have to / must. (b) mustn't / must not. (c) don't have to.
  5. Answers will vary. Check: must/have to + base infinitive (obligation); don't have to + base infinitive (not necessary); mustn't (prohibited

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.