Diagnostic test 16

Modal verbs (l ): can, could, ffiay, might, be able to

Fifteen of the sentences below contain 12 Jane's late' She can be stuck in a traffic jam'
mistakes with modal verbs. Tick (rz) the correct
sentences, then find and correct the mistakes. 1 3 A new car! What can she be thinking of!
Examples
We took an exam yesterday and I couldn't l4 I heard your sales results were excellent.
answer any of the questions. May you get a bonus this Year?
.........(........
I eo't*H*e promoted last year.b.ut I preferred to
stay on the shop floor. ...'.c4p/d.hattp.he'w....
l5 Don't get too anxious; there may well be a
simple explanation for it.
1 When I finish the course next year I can
speak perfect French. l6 Don't bother replying as I may have changed
2 You'll have to call a cab. I can't have been address by the time You read this'
able to drive since I broke my arm last June.
11 Steve couldn't steal it. I'm sure he was at
This computer is so simple that it is able to home all week. .........
be operated by anYone. t8 Elizabeth can get better results if she paid
more attention to her homework.
The job interview was a disaster; I could only
answer half the questions! 19 I'll be able to meet you after the lesson.

When she was riding in the woods last week, 20 I'm not sure about tomorrow night. I may be
Helen fell off her horse but luckily she could on call.
get back on and ride home. 21 Excuse me. Am I able to use your phone?

It's really annoying. Surely you knew they 22 Well, don't worry. You could always try agaln
didn't accept traveller's cheques at that tomorrow.
hotel. You could warn me before I left!
23 I could leave work early yesterday - my boss
gave me permission.
These days she is rather slow but as a child
she could run like the wind. 24 You might get me some bin liners if it's not
too much trouble.
What an excellent choice of restaurant. I 25 People might not smoke on British Airways
can't have chosen better if I'd made the flights; it's forbidden
reservation myself!
9 There can be life on Saturn.

10 My father could be a star in the 1980s, it's a

pity that he never really tried.

11 Watching TV soaPs can become verY

addictive.

Diagnostic test 16 Xeg > ps$s,