Test 8: Modals

- Modals

Why didn’t you help him? You ___ have done it.
- A) must
- B) can
- C) could
- D) were to
- E) was able to
A: ___ I phone you tonight?
B: Yes, you ___ .
- A) may / may
- B) must / might
- C) could / can’t
- D) shouldn’t / shouldn’t
- E) have to / had to
But I ___ stay in England for six months, and not for a fortnight as I had planned.
- A) had to
- B) have to
- C) am able to
- D) can
- E) shall have
- I ___ draw a circle with a pencil only, and you?
- Neither can I.
- A) can’t
- B) can
- C) may
- D) shan’t
- E) couldn’t
Last week I ___ go to town on business trip as the Ministry of Education had asked me to come.
- A) had to
- B) might
- C) should
- D) could
- E) was able to
If one person is careless with a library book, then it ___ be read by others.
- A) can’t
- B) couldn’t
- C) may
- D) can
- E) mightn’t
After a book is written, it passes through the heads of very many different workers. Each worker works carefully, for there ___ not be any mistakes.
- A) must
- B) couldn’t
- C) could
- D) might
- E) has to
He tried, but ___ persuade nobody.
- A) could
- B) couldn’t
- C) can
- D) might
- E) won’t
People who know a foreign language ___ learn a second one easily.
- A) may
- B) should
- C) mustn’t
- D) can
- E) needn’t
___ I have a word with you, please?
- A) may
- B) had to
- C) have to
- D) must
- E) am able to
At first I ___ skate well, now I ___ .
- A) couldn’t / can
- B) may / can
- C) mustn’t / can
- D) should / shouldn’t
- E) must / needn’t
She said they ___ go to the cinema if they liked.
- A) must
- B) may
- C) can
- D) had to
- E) could
- What is your sister doing?
- She ___ be watching TV.
- A) may
- B) can’t
- C) needn’t
- D) has to
- E) could
I didn’t want to go there but I ___ .
- A) must
- B) might
- C) shall
- D) can’t
- E) had to
- ___ I go there now?
- No, you ___ .
- A) can / hadn’t to
- B) am / aren’t
- C) must / needn’t
- D) might / could
- E) should / will
- Where is he?
- He ___ be walking in the park.
- A) can’t
- B) is able to
- C) has to
- D) must
- E) ought to
Visitors ___ stay in the hospital after ten pm.
- A) might not
- B) needn’t
- C) couldn’t
- D) must not
- E) didn’t have to
We had an appointment yesterday afternoon but he ___ see me.
- A) might not
- B) cannot
- C) have to
- D) mustn’t
- E) wasn’t able to
I didn’t ___ ring her up for she did it herself.
- A) had to
- B) could
- C) be to
- D) have to
- E) must
The rain was so sudden that everybody ___ take a shelter.
- A) can
- B) could
- C) have to
- D) are to
- E) had to
If you ___ fix a radio, you ___ repair a TV too.
- A) can / will be able to
- B) must / may
- C) couldn’t / can
- D) need / has to
- E) may / needn’t to
- I’ve examined you very carefully. I think all you ___ is a good rest.
- But I’m still feeling sick. Why don’t you look at my tongue?
- It ___ a rest too.
- A) must / may
- B) might / can
- C) need / could
- D) should / have to
- E) need / needs
You ___ do this work yourself, if you try.
- A) can
- B) had to
- C) must
- D) was able to
- E) were to do
Guests of the hotel ___ warn the clerk in advance when they leave.
- A) can
- B) may
- C) must
- D) is to
- E) had to
My mother ___ neither read nor write after the operation and now I ___ help her.
- A) have to / must
- B) could / have to
- C) couldn’t / had to
- D) were able / can
- E) might / need
___ I borrow your text-book? I’ve left mine at home.
- A) am able to
- B) must
- C) have to
- D) need
- E) may
People ___ exercise regularly, otherwise they will get out of shape.
- A) must not
- B) should
- C) can
- D) might
- E) has to
“Ma,” said a little girl, “Willie wants the biggest piece of cake, and I think I ___ have it, because he was eating cakes two years before I was born.”
- A) couldn’t
- B) has to
- C) is to
- D) should
- E) had to
- I live near my work.
- So you ___ go to the office by crowded buses.
- A) have to
- B) are able to
- C) don’t have to
- D) would have to
- E) can’t
- I ___ go to the cinema yesterday.
- Why?
- Because I ___ complete my work.
- A) can’t / must
- B) couldn’t / had to
- C) didn’t have to / may
- D) wasn’t to / need
- E) should / have to
The skier broke his leg and ___ compete in therecent Olympic Games.
- A) couldn’t
- B) mustn’t
- C) had to
- D) can’t
- E) might
I ___ not translate this text yesterday. ___ you help me to translate it tonight?
- A) could / can
- B) can / can
- C) may / may
- D) had to / could
- E) can / must
Does Larry ___ leave home at 7.30?
- A) have to
- B) must
- C) has to
- D) need
- E) should
- ___ any of you speak Italian?
- No, but we are learning it and I hope we ___ speak it next year.
- A) must / will have to
- B) may / have got to
- C) can / shall be able to
- D) could / could
- E) might / had to
- ___ I take your pen for a moment?
- Certainly.
- A) must
- B) may
- C) might
- D) should
- E) will
I ___ speak English last year but I ___ do it now.
- A) must / can
- B) could / can
- C) might / may
- D) couldn’t / can
- E) might / could
Mother, ___ I go for a walk? I’ve done all my work.
- A) have to
- B) am to
- C) may
- D) must
- E) might
I was ill and ___ go to school for some days.
- A) can’t
- B) must
- C) could
- D) couldn’t
- E) can
- ___ we do this work now?
- ___ . You can do it tomorrow.
- A) Can / Yes, you can
- B) Must / No, you needn’t
- C) May / Yes, you may
- D) Could / Yes, you must
- E) Might / No, you might not
“___ I do anything for you?”, the secretary asked the stranger.
- A) can
- B) had to
- C) must
- D) have to
- E) am
- ___ we finish our work today?
- No, you ___ .
- A) Can / couldn’t
- B) May / can
- C) Have to / can
- D) Must / needn’t
- E) Had / needn’t
I ___ go to the library for books as I often write compositions at school.
- A) can
- B) could
- C) may
- D) might
- E) have to
It ___ rain this afternoon.
- A) had to
- B) may
- C) is able to
- D) could
- E) might
___ the director receive me now?
- A) Have to
- B) Is able
- C) Can
- D) Is to
- E) Has to
Who ___ help him at 2 yesterday?
- A) have to
- B) is to
- C) can
- D) need
- E) had to
I said that after all that had happened I ___ run away to my aunt’s.
- A) could
- B) might
- C) had to
- D) need
- E) was able to
- ___ I go to the cinema?
- No, you ___ . The film is for grown ups.
- A) may / mustn’t
- B) can / needn’t
- C) could / can’t
- D) must / may not
- E) shall / haven’t
Teacher: “You ___ ring me up when you ___ my advice.
- A) could / need
- B) may / need
- C) can / will need
- D) must / needed
- E) have to / need
“Never put off till tomorrow what you ___ do today.”
- A) have to
- B) must
- C) might
- D) can
- E) should
- I ___ understand the rule; ___ I take the examination another time?
- Yes, of course.
- A) could / can
- B) may / may
- C) can’t / may
- D) mustn’t / must
- E) may / can
Pupils ___ speak only English at their English lessons.
- A) must not
- B) must
- C) cannot
- D) has to
- E) had to
The lecturer mentioned the name of the town several times, but unfortunately I ___ remember it.
- A) can
- B) could
- C) may
- D) could not
- E) may not
- Must I do this exercise too?
- No, you ___ . It isn’t necessary.
- A) can’t
- B) may not
- C) mustn’t
- D) needn’t
- E) oughtn’t to
Mother, look, I ___ skate well.
- A) can
- B) may
- C) must
- D) have to
- E) ought to
I’m sorry you ___ smoke here.
- A) had to
- B) can’t
- C) could
- D) must
- E) have to
We ___ protect our nature from pollution.
- A) need
- B) had to
- C) are to
- D) may
- E) must
He is very helpless, I ___ help him.
- A) need
- B) might
- C) have to
- D) can
- E) may
Excuse me, ___ you tell me the time?
- A) may
- B) must
- C) might
- D) can
- E) are able to
My grandfather’s ill and I ___ go to see him today, I ___ go with you.
- A) can / can’t
- B) have to / can’t
- C) may / have to
- D) need / must
- E) be able to / may not
The Browns ___ not return on Sunday, as the weather was bad.
- A) may
- B) could
- C) have to
- D) must
- E) can’t
I looked through this book about 2 hours, but ___ find anything interesting.
- A) can’t
- B) couldn’t
- C) had to
- D) can
- E) hadn’t to
You ___ do this for it’s necessary.
- A) may
- B) can
- C) have to
- D) has
- E) could
You ___ work hard at your English.
- A) must
- B) mustn’t
- C) can’t
- D) has to
- E) may not
We ___ read much in the original if we want to learn a foreign language.
- A) had to
- B) can
- C) must
- D) may
- E) could
We ___ do it by midday if we had the instruments.
- A) may
- B) can
- C) must
- D) could
- E) might
You ___ get a visa before you go abroad next summer.
- A) may
- B) can
- C) could
- D) have to
- E) will have to
If you want to improve your English you ___ work very hard.
- A) can
- B) may
- C) are able to
- D) had to
- E) must
You’ve been traveling all day. You ___ be very tired.
- A) must
- B) can’t
- C) might
- D) ought to
- E) shouldn’t
My eyesight isn’t very good. I ___ wear glasses for reading.
- A) might
- B) have to
- C) can
- D) may
- E) could
He said that I ___ look around.
- A) might
- B) may
- C) can
- D) has to
- E) is able to
He ___ agree with your suggestion.
- A) may not
- B) need
- C) are able to
- D) are to
- E) have to
My son fell ill yesterday, I ___ stay at home.
- A) must
- B) can
- C) may
- D) need
- E) had to
I will not read this book, you ___ do it if you want.
- A) can
- B) might
- C) have to
- D) can’t
- E) must
___ you show me those black shoes? How much are they?
- A) may
- B) must
- C) can
- D) have to
- E) will have to
I ___ leave the party early last night, because I wasn’t very well.
- A) must
- B) may
- C) could
- D) have to
- E) had to
She ___ lift me up with one hand.
- A) may
- B) need
- C) can
- D) to have to
- E) to be able to
You ___ work if you don ‘t want to.
- A) must not
- B) can’t
- C) needn’t
- D) must
- E) has to
You ___ come and have dinner with us some day.
- A) was able to
- B) could
- C) has to
- D) is to
- E) must
It was very difficult to hear. I ___ understand what she was saying.
- A) can’t
- B) may not
- C) wasn’t able to
- D) couldn’t
- E) could
The teacher told us that we ___ work harder at our English.
- A) have
- B) must
- C) could
- D) may
- E) had to
A little girl comes up to her mother and asks if she ___ go to the park with her friend.
- A) couldn’t
- B) can’t
- C) must
- D) may
- E) has to
If you are ill and ___ go to school you ___ learn everything what you have missed.
- A) can / must
- B) can’t / must
- C) may / can
- D) has to / may
- E) can’t / might
The dog had run away and the children ___ find it though they were looking for it the whole day.
- A) can
- B) can’t
- C) could
- D) may
- E) could not
As Mr. John hadn’t got the dictionary at hand, he ___ guess the meaning of the word.
- A) should
- B) can
- C) has to
- D) must
- E) had to
Mark Twain ___ easily ___ across the Mississippi River.
- A) must / swim
- B) had to / swam
- C) may / swim
- D) would / to swim
- E) could / swim
It was late but the pupils ___ stay at school for an additional lesson.
- A) could
- B) must
- C) had to
- D) needed
- E) might
The children have done their homework. I think they ___ have a rest now.
- A) may
- B) might
- C) are
- D) could
- E) will be able to
- Shall I retell the text?
- ___ . You can only translate it.
- A) Yes, you will.
- B) Do, please.
- C) No, you didn’t.
- D) No, you needn’t.
- E) Yes, you may.
Patient: Must I go to the hospital? Doctor: No, you ___ . You ___ stay at home.
- A) can’t / had to
- B) mustn’t / had to
- C) needn’t / may
- D) are able to / can
- E) shouldn’t / might
It ___ rain today. There are so many clouds in the sky.
- A) can
- B) has to
- C) may
- D) should
- E) mustn’t
I understood that he ___ never ___ back.
- A) will / come
- B) doesn’t / came
- C) won’t / home
- D) would / come
- E) wouldn’t / come
My son is ill so I ___ stay at home.
- A) mustn’t
- B) has to
- C) can
- D) may
- E) have to
Must I do it? No, you ___ . It isn’t necessary.
- A) couldn’t
- B) may not
- C) needn’t
- D) can’t
- E) shouldn’t
I feel sick and tired. So I ___ go to school.
- A) can
- B) could
- C) haven’t to
- D) am not able to
- E) am able to
He was very poor and ___ marry a woman eight years older than himself.
- A) must
- B) could
- C) needed
- D) had to
- E) might
Children ___ go to school at the age of 7.
- A) can
- B) must
- C) may
- D) has to
- E) could
- ___ I trouble you for a moment?
- Yes, certainly. What ___ I do for you?
- A) can / might
- B) may / can
- C) must / may
- D) could / may
- E) can / must
He ___ know her address. Ask him.
- A) need
- B) must
- C) could
- D) might
- E) have to
You knew he was ill. You ___ have visited him.
- A) can
- B) might
- C) need
- D) have to
- E) may
May I take this pen? No, you ___ .
- A) can
- B) may
- C) mustn’t
- D) need
- E) haven’t to
- ”What’s happened to the dog? It isn’t here.”
- ”Dan ___ have taken it with him.”
- A) had to
- B) was to
- C) might
- D) may
- E) could
You ___ give it back to me before you go.
- A) might
- B) couldn’t
- C) must
- D) need
- E) had to
That’s a question nobody ___ answer.
- A) must not
- B) were to
- C) cannot
- D) might
- E) can
___ God be with you.
- A) can
- B) must
- C) may
- D) had to
- E) is to
A fool man ___ ask more questions than a wise man ___ answer.
- A) may / can
- B) can / must
- C) may / might
- D) can / might
- E) must / could.
“Does Jack shave?”
“No, he’s got a beard so he ___ shave.”
- A) hasn’t to
- B) hasn’t got to
- C) don’t have to
- D) can’t
- E) will be able to
Don’t worry. You ___ do it just now. You ___ do it tomorrow.
- A) must / can
- B) should / may
- C) can / could
- D) had to / must
- E) needn’t / can
I ___ speak English well now but I hope I ___ speak next year.
- A) could / can
- B) can’t / shall be able to
- C) must / shall have to
- D) may / may
- E) am able to / shall have to
The driver ___ have taken a side road.
- A) shall
- B) need
- C) may
- D) have to
- E) is to
He ___ have replaced the tire, it was still quite good.
- A) could
- B) can
- C) needn’t
- D) had to
- E) should
How ___ I tell her that her life will be ruined from this day on? I think, I can’t.
- A) must
- B) need
- C) may
- D) shall
- E) can
It was so warm that we ___ wear our coats. It was very pleasant.
- A) couldn’t
- B) didn’t have to
- C) shouldn’t
- D) mightn’t
- E) mustn’t
They will get hungry on the train; I think, you ___ give them some sandwiches.
- A) should
- B) could
- C) might
- D) had to
- E) needn’t
You ___ a raincoat. You are wet through.
- A) must have worn
- B) may wear
- C) should have worn
- D) could wear
- E) needn’t have worn
“You ___ choose any present you like, take it, please”, said mother.
- A) might
- B) could
- C) may
- D) have to
- E) are able to
- Have you looked through these newspapers?
- No, I haven’t. I ___ write an article.
- A) has to
- B) had to
- C) mustn’t
- D) can
- E) might
We didn’t go out last night. We ___ to the cinema but we decided to stay at home.
- A) could have gone
- B) must have gone
- C) should go
- D) are to go
- E) needn’t go
I was at home yesterday. You ___ have called and taken the dictionary.
- A) must
- B) may
- C) could
- D) can
- E) had to
- When I was a child I ___ draw well.
- And now? ___ you do it now?
- A) must / may
- B) could / can
- C) should / need
- D) may / could
- E) ought to / can’t
That day as I ___ to be there at 5 sharp, I ___ to take a taxi.
- A) am / had to
- B) is / may
- C) was / had to
- D) were / can
- E) were / had to
You ___ read this book: you are grown up.
- A) may
- B) might
- C) has to
- D) can’t
- E) may not
I ___ come to see you tonight as I ___ answer many questions.
- A) can / may
- B) can’t / have to
- C) can’t / can not
- D) must / had to
- E) may / may not
Last night the plane ___ land because of the sudden change of the wind.
- A) must
- B) may
- C) has to
- D) had to
- E) can
___ he speak French as English last year?
- A) can
- B) may
- C) had to
- D) can’t
- E) could
She said that he ___ take her dictionary.
- A) may
- B) can
- C) is allowed
- D) is able
- E) might
As my sister was taking an examination I ___ look after her baby yesterday.
- A) could
- B) had to
- C) must
- D) was able to
- E) should
“He ___ in the house now,” thinks the girl.
- A) could
- B) may be
- C) might be
- D) had to be
- E) will be
Your brother is ill, so he ___ go out for a walk.
- A) can
- B) could
- C) may
- D) might
- E) must not
It ___ rain today, we ___ see clouds in the sky.
- A) has to / can
- B) must / have to
- C) could / can’t
- D) may / can
- E) might / must
Charles Dickens ___ go to school at an early age, as he ___ help his family.
- A) should / would
- B) couldn’t / had to
- C) must / couldn’t
- D) might / should
- E) had not to / would
They ___ tell the truth, but they ___ .
- A) had to / can’t
- B) have to / couldn’t
- C) must / can’t
- D) are to / couldn’t
- E) may /had to
I have very little time and I ___ take a taxi.
- A) may
- B) could
- C) should
- D) have to
- E) have
You ___ this. Why didn’t you use a chance?
- A) can do
- B) could have done
- C) must do
- D) may do
- E) need do
I ___ send him a letter yesterday.
- A) am
- B) can
- C) may
- D) had to
- E) should
She told him he ___ go home.
- A) may
- B) can
- C) ought
- D) might
- E) have to
No matter how she ___ try the door ___ open.
- A) can / should
- B) could / must
- C) should / will
- D) might / wouldn’t
- E) must / ought to
___ I take your book ? I ___ write many exercises tomorrow.
- A) must / must
- B) should / have to
- C) may / shall have to
- D) might / had to
- E) can / would
She ___ get up and she ___ stay in bed as she is seriously ill.
- A) must / has to
- B) can’t / has to
- C) should / is to
- D) may / must
- E) is able / shall
My cousin ___ read and write when he was five.
- A) could
- B) may
- C) have to
- D) must
- E) can
We ___ to meet at the theatre entrance at a quarter to eight yesterday.
- A) are
- B) must
- C) have
- D) were
- E) couldn’t
They ___ do this the day after tomorrow. Now they are very busy.
- A) may
- B) can
- C) must
- D) will be able to
- E) were able to
I ___ write to Ann. I haven’t written to her for ages.
- A) can
- B) must
- C) had to
- D) could
- E) may
This work ___ be done at once.
- A) can
- B) must
- C) ought
- D) should
- E) may
The teacher said they ___ all go home.
- A) may
- B) have to
- C) might
- D) can
- E) be able to
- How ___ I get to the nearest bus stop?
- You ___ go straight and then turn to the left.
- A) must / can
- B) can / must
- C) should / may
- D) may / have to
- E) could / might
Oh, you are seriously ill. I think you ___ consult a doctor and if he tells you to keep to bed you ___ do.
- A) may / might
- B) must / can’t
- C) should / must
- D) have to / couldn’t
- E) has to / may
Tom ___ pass his exam in Literature and now he is working hard as he ___ take it again.
- A) can’t / was able
- B) must / had to
- C) may / could
- D) couldn’t / has to
- E) can’t / had to
___ I come in? No, you ___ I am very busy now. I ___ write a report.
- A) can / can / must
- B) must / may not / had to
- C) may / can’t / must
- D) may / may not / can
- E) must / mustn’t / may
- ___ I smoke here?
- No, you ___ .
- A) can / may
- B) may / mustn’t
- C) can / should
- D) can / can’t
- E) may / need
You ___ break the body but you ___ break the spirit.
- A) may / can’t
- B) could / can’t
- C) must / must
- D) can / might not
- E) may / may
He ___ tell you how glad he is.
- A) was able to
- B) couldn’t
- C) can’t
- D) had to
- E) have
He said that I ___ telephone him any time I liked.
- A) can
- B) will
- C) might
- D) have to
- E) will have to
I have a terrible headache. I ___ do anything.
- A) could
- B) can
- C) should
- D) can’t
- E) might
- ___ your son speak English?
- No, but he ___ when he was a schoolboy.
- A) has to / must
- B) could / may
- C) might / can
- D) can / could
- E) may / must
Find the synonym of the modal verb “must”.
- A) I might be wrong.
- B) We may go there.
- C) He needs a dictionary.
- D) You can say anything.
- E) He was to go to the south.
You ___ easily find the newspaper now where his article was printed.
- A) might
- B) need
- C) couldn’t
- D) had to
- E) can
He said that his father was ill and they ___ go to see the doctor yesterday.
- A) can
- B) had to
- C) are able
- D) can’t
- E) may
Sorry, I ___ go with you. I ___ finish my work.
- A) may not / must
- B) couldn’t / have to
- C) mustn’t / can
- D) can’t / must
- E) am / could
Last year in April I ___ use my umbrella more often than in May.
- A) must
- B) can
- C) were able
- D) had to
- E) may
“___ I have another cup of tea?”
- A) must
- B) might
- C) may
- D) would
- E) need
- I wonder where the chief is.
- He ___ be in his office. I’ve seen him this morning.
- A) is able to
- B) should
- C) have to
- D) must
- E) had to
“I ___ go, Padre, the students will be waiting for me.
- A) is to
- B) can
- C) be able
- D) must
- E) may

Answer Key

Favorite Books

Students who want help with English grammar. It is written for you to use without a teacher. Will be useful for you if you are not sure of the answers to questions like these: - What is the difference between I did and I have done? - When do we use will for the future? - What is the structure after I wish? - When do we say used to do and when do we say used to doing? - When do we use the? - What is the difference between like and as? These and many other points of English grammar are explained and there are exercises on each point.

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