| Acknowledgements | 第4-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第8-13页 |
| Abbreviations | 第13-14页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第14-16页 |
| 1.1 Background of the study | 第14页 |
| 1.2 Significance of the study | 第14-15页 |
| 1.3 Structure of the thesis | 第15-16页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第16-27页 |
| 2.1 Key terms and basic concept | 第16-20页 |
| 2.1.1 Modality System | 第16-20页 |
| 2.1.1.1 Types of modality | 第16-17页 |
| 2.1.1.2 Linguistic realization of modality | 第17-20页 |
| 2.1.1.2.1 Modal auxiliary | 第17-18页 |
| 2.1.1.2.2 Modal adjuncts | 第18-20页 |
| 2.1.1.2.3 Modality metaphor | 第20页 |
| 2.2 Theoretical basis | 第20-22页 |
| 2.3 Previous studies | 第22-26页 |
| 2.3.1 Studies on interpersonal meaning | 第22-24页 |
| 2.3.1.1 Previous studies on interpersonal meaning abroad | 第22-23页 |
| 2.3.1.2 Previous studies on interpersonal meaning at home | 第23-24页 |
| 2.3.2 Studies on Modality System | 第24-26页 |
| 2.3.2.1 Previous studies on modality system abroad | 第24-25页 |
| 2.3.2.2 Previous studies on modality system at home | 第25-26页 |
| 2.4 Summary | 第26-27页 |
| Chapter Three Methodology | 第27-30页 |
| 3.1 Research questions | 第27页 |
| 3.2 Materials | 第27-28页 |
| 3.3 Data collection and analysis | 第28-30页 |
| Chapter Four Results and Discussion | 第30-62页 |
| 4.1 General characteristics of modal auxiliary | 第30-39页 |
| 4.1.1 General characteristics of modal auxiliary in EPN | 第30-34页 |
| 4.1.2 General characteristics of modal auxiliary in CPN | 第34-38页 |
| 4.1.3 Differences of modal auxiliary between EPN and CPN | 第38-39页 |
| 4.2 General characteristics of modal adjuncts | 第39-57页 |
| 4.2.1 General characteristics of modal adjuncts in EPN | 第40-47页 |
| 4.2.1.1 General characteristics of mood adjuncts in EPN | 第40-46页 |
| 4.2.1.2 General characteristics of comment adjuncts in EPN | 第46-47页 |
| 4.2.2 General characteristics of modal adjuncts in CPN | 第47-55页 |
| 4.2.2.1 General characteristics of mood adjuncts in CPN | 第47-54页 |
| 4.2.2.2 General characteristics of comment adjuncts in CPN | 第54-55页 |
| 4.2.3 Differences of modal adjuncts between EPN and CPN | 第55-57页 |
| 4.2.3.1 Differences of mood adjuncts between EPN and CPN | 第55-56页 |
| 4.2.3.2 Comparison of comment adjuncts between EPN and CPN | 第56-57页 |
| 4.3 General characteristics of modality metaphors | 第57-62页 |
| 4.3.1 General characteristics of modality metaphors in EPN | 第57-58页 |
| 4.3.2 General characteristics of modality metaphors in CPN | 第58-60页 |
| 4.3.3 Differences of modality metaphors between EPN and CPN | 第60-62页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第62-65页 |
| 5.1 Major findings | 第62-63页 |
| 5.2 Pedagogical implications | 第63-64页 |
| 5.3 Limitations of the study and suggestions for future study | 第64-65页 |
| Reference | 第65-68页 |
| Appendix | 第68-106页 |
