MODAL VERBS

1. Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb: should / ought to (x2) can / have to (x2)
mustn’t / don’t have to could
1 You ______________ smoke in public places.
2 We ______________ learn Chinese in our school.
3 You ______________ wear a crash helmet when you are riding a motorbike.
4 You ______________ eat a healthy diet.
5 I ______________ study hard all weekend.
6 You ______________ respect other people’s opinions.
7 She ______________ always sing really well.
8 ______________ you leave us alone now?

2. Give two pieces of advice for the situations below. Use an appropriate modal verb.
1 Your teacher is working too hard and is exhausted.
He / She __________________________________________________________________
2 Your father wants to learn how to use a computer.
He __________________________________________________________________
3 One of your friends is very bossy and nobody wants to spend time with them.
He / She __________________________________________________________________
4 Your friend wants to get married. You think she’s too young.
She __________________________________________________________________
5 Your brother wants to leave school and become a mechanic.
He __________________________________________________________________

3. Circle the correct option.

1 I’m not sure where Jane is. She could / must be at the office.

2 Sally has to / doesn’t have to pass all her exams because she wants to go to university.

3 You ought to / can check you have all the ingredients before you start making the cake.

4 The letter should / couldn’t arrive tomorrow. It was sent by express delivery.

5 You mustn’t / have to book the tickets soon, otherwise they’ll be sold out!

6 You don’t have to / mustn’t smoke at a petrol station. You can’t / could cause an explosion.

7 That painting is obviously a forgery. It mustn’t / can’t be by Van Gogh.

8 That doesn’t have to / can’t be right! The answers must / can be wrong.
4. Match the sentence beginnings (1-4) with the endings (a-d).

1. 1 You have to watch a that programme if you don’t want to.

2 You must watch b that programme – you’ll love it!

3 You mustn’t watch c too much TV. It’s bad for you.

4 You don’t have to watch d a lot of TV if you want to become a TV critic.

2. 1 You have to buy a any more books or you’ll spend all your money.

2 You must buy b the new book by Dan Brown. It’s incredible.

3 You mustn’t buy c the books – you can get them from the library.

4 You don’t have to buy d all the books before the course starts. It’s a
university regulation.

5. Choose the correct modal verb.

1 A John! Your room’s filthy! You absolutely must / should / can clean it now.

B You love giving orders! You ought to / can / must be in the army.

2 A What are you doing here? You have to / must / should be in your maths class.

B I don’t have to / mustn’t / shouldn’t go to class if I don’t want to.

A You mustn’t / don’t have to / couldn’t miss class or you’ll never pass your exam.

3 A What documents do I have to / must I / can I get if I want to work in Australia?

B No idea. Maybe you should / must / have to ask Pete. He lived there for a while.

4 A Can I / Must I / Should I have another coffee please? I couldn’t / mustn’t / shouldn’t order

before because you were too busy.

B I’m sorry but the restaurant’s closed. Can / should / must you leave now please?

6. Rewrite these sentences in your notebook using an appropriate modal verb.

1 Last year, I didn’t know how to use Power Point. ______________________________________

2 Is it necessary for me to have a passport? ______________________________________

3 I suggest that you try the shop round the corner. ______________________________________

4 It’s my personal obligation to speak to her. ______________________________________

5 Would you mind helping me with these bags? ______________________________________

6 You’re not allowed to eat in class! ______________________________________

ANSWERS

1. Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb:

1 mustn’t; 2 don’t have to; 3 have to; 4 should / ought to; 5 have to; 6 should / ought to; 7 could;

8 Can

2. Give two pieces of advice for the situations below. Use an appropriate modal verb
(Suggested answers)

1 He / She shouldn’t work so hard.

2 He ought to find a computer skills class.

3 He / She shouldn’t tell people what to do.

4 She should wait until she’s older.

5 He should stay at school and get some qualifications.

3. Circle the correct option 1 could; 2 has to; 3 ought to; 4 should; 5 have to; 6 mustn’t / could; 7
can’t; 8 can’t / must

4. Match the sentence beginnings (1-4) with the endings (a-d).

4.1 1d; 2b; 3c; 4a 4.2 1d; 2b; 3a; 4c

5. Choose the correct modal verb

1 must / ought to

2 should / don’t have to / mustn’t

3 do I have to / should

4 Can I / couldn’t / Can

6. Rewrite these sentences in your notebook using an appropriate modal verb.

1 Last year, I couldn’t / was unable to use PowerPoint

2 Do I have to / Do I need to have a passport?

3 You should try the shop round the corner.

4 I must speak to her.

5 Could you help me with these bags?

6 You mustn’t eat in class!