Modal Verb Practice (elementary)

Complete the sentences. Use CAN, CAN’T, COULD, COULDN’T

1. I was short of money last week. I __________ buy that disk.

2. I am afraid, I __________ come to your party.
3. When my father was a schoolboy, he was a good runner. He __________
run very fast.
4. My great grandmother was very clever. She __________ speak three
foreign languages.
5. Denys __________ swim quite well now. But last summer he
__________ swim at all.
6. His uncle __________ ride a horse when he was seven.
7. My grandfather loved music very much. He __________ play the piano and the guitar very
well.
8. Something was wrong with my alarm clock. I __________ wake u pin time.
9. Max is in a hurry. He __________ wait for us.
10. They talked quite loudly. I __________ hear everything they said.

Fill in the sentences. Use CAN, CAN’T, MUST, MUSTN’T, SHOULD, SHOULDN’T

1. A woman __________ become the President of Ukraine.

2. We __________ find life on another planet.
3. People __________ live on the Moon.
4. People __________live in the Antarctica.
5. We __________ play hockey in summer.
6. Sharks __________ be dangerous.
7. Doctors __________ find a cure for cancer.
8. Parents __________ understand their children perfectly.
9. We __________ read at the table when we eat.
10. We __________ take bread with a fork.
11. We __________ watch TV a lot.
12. The youngsters __________ say „No” to drugs.
13. People __________ smoke.
14. Teachers __________ give more freedom to the youngsters.
15. Schoolchildren __________ have their own timetables.
16. Kids __________ see horror films after midnight.
17. We __________ quarrel with our friends.
18. Pupils __________ talk at the lessons.
19. Students __________ cheat during their tests and exams.

Choose the best option

1. She __________ play the guitar rather well. (may/must/can)
2. This baby __________ walk yet. (mustn’t/can’t/couldn’t)
3. You __________ be at two places at once. (mustn’t/must/can’t/can)
4. You __________ teach an old dog new tricks. (must/can/can’t)
5. Tortoises __________ run fast. (may not/mustn’t/can/can’t)
6. The ostrich __________ kill a person with one kick.
(may/can/must)
7. I __________ help you if you want. (must/can/may)
8. You __________ finis hall the work yesterday. (could/may/can)
9. I __________ sleep well yesterday. (can’t/mustn’t/couldn’t)
10. Pupils __________ be late for classes. (can/may/must/mustn’t)
11. We __________ boil drinking water because of germs. (can/may/must)
12. He __________ inform you about it. (must/can’may)
13. We __________ show these photos to her. (must/mustn’t/can/can’t)
14. Granny is sleeping. You __________ make a noise. (must/can’t/mustn’t)
15. We __________ cross the street when the light is red. (must/may/can/mustn’t)
16. People __________ take care of nature. (can/may/must/should)
17. __________ I go out? (can/may/must)
18. People __________ live on the Moon. (must/may/can/can’t)
19. Children __________ go to bed late. (can/shouldn’t/may)
20. Max __________ take my umbrella. (must/can/may)

KEY: 1-couldn’t, 2-can’t, 3-could, 4-could, 5-can, couldn’t, 6-could, 7-could-, 8-couldn’t, 9-
can’t, 10-could

KEY: 1-can, 2-can’t, 3-can’t, 4-can’t, 5-can’t, 6-can, 7-can, 8-could, 9-couldn’t, 10-mustn’t, 11-
must, 12-must, 13-must, 14-mustn’t, 15-mustn’t, 16-should, 17-may, 18-can’t, 19-shouldn’t, 20-
may