PIE2413/SEM 3/20192020/WORKSHEET 6

WORKSHEET 6
MODAL VERBS: EXPRESSING POSSIBILITY, ABILITY AND PERMISSION

From the supplementary materials

Instruction: Complete the exercises in Supplementary Material 2.

Additional Exercises
A. Fill in the blanks with can/can’t, may/might or may not/might not.

1. Jessica hasn’t made up her mind about which university she wants to enroll. She
_____may___ attend Duke University or Oxford University. She is also exploring
other options.

2. Alice is a runner. She likes to compete, but two days ago, she broke her ankle when
she fell. She __can’t______ run in the race tomorrow.

3. A: Carol’s in New York now. Is she going to return to school in Chicago next month?
B: Well, it depends. If she __might not______ find a job in New York, she’ll stay
there this fall. Who knows? She _can_______ stay there through the winter and
spring, too. If she likes her job, she _might_______ want to return to school in
Chicago next year.

4. A: Do you remember a famous actor names Basil Rathbone? Is he still making

movies?
B: I think he __might______ be dead.

5. Jodie finished law school last month, but she hasn’t taken her exams yet. She
___can_____ practice law until she passes them.

6. Jack and Jenny haven’t decided on the wedding’s theme. They __might not______
have a large, formal celebration, or they ___may_____ have a small, quiet
ceremony.

1
 PIE2413/SEM 3/20192020/WORKSHEET 6

7. My roommate is planning to go sailing tomorrow, but he needs at least one other

person to help him sail the boat. If no one is available, he _____can___ take it out.

B. Complete each conversation with the word in the bracket.

1. (can)
Mr. Ahmad: It’s 9 am and the exam will start soon. You ___can_____ come in the
room now. Please show me your exam slip as you come in.
Sofia: But, my brother cannot be left alone outside of the exam hall. ___can_____
he come with me?
Mr. Ahmad: No, he __can______. Only people with the exam slip are permitted in
the exam hall.

2. (may)
Mr. Ahmad: I’m going to hand out the test paper now. Please write your name on the
cover page using pencils, but don’t start the test yet. Remember, you _____may___
start the test until I give the instruction.
Sofia: I’m sorry I’m late. __may______ still come in?
Mr. Ahmad: Yes, you ___may_____. We are about to start the exam.

3. (could)
Sofia: __could______ I use a pen to write my name?
Mr. Ahmad: No, you have to use a pencil.
Sofia: Jamie, __could______ I borrow this pencil, please? I only brought a pen.