MODAL VERBS
Use this key to fill in the gaps with the suitable modal verb.
*Ability (can, could) = A
*Obligation (must, have to) = B
*Possibility (can, may, might) = C
* Lack of obligation (don’t have to, needn’t, don’t need to) = D
*Advice (should) = E
*Prohibition (mustn’t) = F
*Permission (can, could, may) = G
*Impossibility (can’t) = H
*Deduction (must) = I
1. When I was five, I ………………… (not) swim.
(A)
2. ……………… I borrow your pen, please? (G)
3. You ……………………… eat more fruit and
fewer sweets. (E)
4. It ………………… rain heavily in my town in
spring. (C)
5. We …………………… eat or drink in class. (F)
6. ……………… I buy that blue sweater, Pam? (E)
7. We ……………………… do homework every
day. (B)
8. “…………………… you speak English well?”
“No, I’m afraid I …………………”
9. Sally …………………………… do the washing
up at home, she’s got a dishwasher. (D)
10. I know you’re busy, but …………………… you
help me with the housework? (C)
11. I …………………… go to next Friday’s concert
since I haven’t got enough money for the ticket. (H)
12. We ……………………… get up early on
weekdays. (B)
13. Visitors ……………………… use mobile photos
in this museum. (H)
14. Peter …………………… be very rich; he always
eats out and wears expensive clothes. (I)
15. My baby sister ………………… (not) walk or
speak; she’s only one. (A)
16. You …………………… pay more attention in
class, Sam. (E)
17. Peter …………………… come to the party, but
he isn’t sure. (C)
18. You …………………… take your cough
medicine, and then you’ll feel better. (B)
19. My brother ………………… run very fast, he
runs faster than me. (A)
20. Sarah …………………… get really good
marks; she spends the evening in the school
library. (I)
21. …………………… you give me a lift to the
bus station, dad? (C)
22. You …………………………… wear smart
clothes tonight; we’re having a barbecue. (D)
23. The Italian restaurant is very popular now; it
………………………… be difficult to book a
table for dinner tomorrow. (I)
24. I feel sick, Mr Thomas, ……………… I go to
the toilet, please? (G)
25. Mum says I ……………………… (not)
waste my time playing computer games. (E)
26. Susan is never late for work, she ……………
have missed the bus this morning. (C)
27. John ……………… (not) ride a bike two
months ago, but he ……………… now. (A)
28. Alice ……………… walk more to get fit. (E)
29. My grandmother ………………… come to
stay with us next month, but she isn’t sure. (C)
30. We ……………… wear a school uniform.
(D)
31. Students ………………… use mobile phones
in class. (F)
32. ………………… I go out on Friday evening,
dad? (G)
33. Patrick ………………… be very intelligent,
he never studies, but he always gets the best
marks in my class. (I)
34. Dad ………………… (not) smoke so much or
he’ll suffer from larynx cancer. (E)
35. ……………… your brother play football
well? Yes, he ……………. (A)
36. I’m afraid I ……………… have lunch with
you on Saturday; I’m working until 5:30 p.m.
(H)
KEY 19. My brother CAN run very fast, he runs faster
than me. (A)
20. Sarah MUST get really good marks; she
1. When I was five, I COULDN’T (not) swim. (A)
spends the evening in the school library. (I)
2. CAN/COULD/MAY I borrow your pen, please?
21. CAN you give me a lift to the bus station,
(G)
dad? (C)
3. You SHOULD eat more fruit and fewer sweets. (E)
22. You DON’T HAVE TO/ DON’T NEED TO/
4. It CAN rain heavily in my town in spring. (C)
NEEDN’T wear smart clothes tonight; we’re
5. We MUSN’T eat or drink in class. (F)
having a barbecue. (D)
6. SHOULD I buy that blue sweater, Pam? (E)
23. The Italian restaurant is very popular now; it
7. We MUST/HAVE TO do homework every day.
MUST be difficult to book a table for dinner
(B)
tomorrow. (I)
8. “CAN you speak English well?” “No, I’m afraid I
24. I feel sick, Mr Thomas, MAY I go to the
CAN’T.”
toilet, please? (G)
9. Sally DOESN’T HAVE/DOESN’T NEED/
25. Mum says I SHOULDN’T (not) waste my
NEEDN’T do the washing up at home, she’s got a
time playing computer games. (E)
dishwasher. (D)
26. Susan is never late for work, she MAY have
10. I know you’re busy, but CAN you help me with
missed the bus this morning. (C)
the housework? (C)
27. John COULDN’T (not) ride a bike two
11. I CAN’T go to next Friday’s concert since I
months ago, but he CAN now. (A)
haven’t got enough money for the ticket. (H)
28. Alice SHOULD walk more to get fit. (E)
12. We MUST/HAVE TO get up early on weekdays.
29. My grandmother MAY come to stay with us
(B)
next month, but she isn’t sure. (C)
13. Visitors CAN’T use mobile photos in this
30. We DON’T HAVE TO/ DON’T NEED TO/
museum. (H)
NEEDN’T wear a school uniform. (D)
14. Peter MUST be very rich; he always eats out and
31. Students MUSTN’T use mobile phones in
wears expensive clothes. (I)
class. (F)
15. My baby sister CAN’T (not) walk or speak; she’s
32. CAN I go out on Friday evening, dad? (G)
only one. (A)
33. Patrick MUST be very intelligent, he never
16. You SHOULD pay more attention in class, Sam.
studies, but he always gets the best marks in my
(E)
class. (I)
17. Peter MAY come to the party, but he isn’t sure.
34. Dad SHOULDN’T (not) smoke so much or
(C)
he’ll suffer from larynx cancer. (E)
18. You SHOULD take your cough medicine, then
35. CAN your brother play football well? Yes, he
you’ll feel better. (B)
CAN. (A)
36. I’m afraid I CAN’T have lunch with you on
Saturday; I’m working until 5:30 p.m.
(H)