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)
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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.
22. You DON’T HAVE TO/ DON’T NEED TO/
(E)
NEEDN’T wear smart clothes tonight; we’re
4. It CAN rain heavily in my town in spring. (C)
having a barbecue. (D)
5. We MUSN’T eat or drink in class. (F)
23. The Italian restaurant is very popular
6. SHOULD I buy that blue sweater, Pam? (E)
now; it MUST be difficult to book a table for
7. We MUST/HAVE TO do homework every day.
dinner tomorrow. (I)
(B)
24. I feel sick, Mr Thomas, MAY I go to the
8. “CAN you speak English well?” “No, I’m afraid
toilet, please? (G)
I CAN’T.”
25. Mum says I SHOULDN’T (not) waste my
9. Sally DOESN’T HAVE/DOESN’T NEED/
time playing computer games. (E)
NEEDN’T do the washing up at home, she’s got a
26. Susan is never late for work, she MAY
dishwasher. (D)
have missed the bus this morning. (C)
10. I know you’re busy, but CAN you help me
27. John COULDN’T (not) ride a bike two
with the housework? (C)
months ago, but he CAN now. (A)
11. I CAN’T go to next Friday’s concert since I
28. Alice SHOULD walk more to get fit. (E)
haven’t got enough money for the ticket. (H)
29. My grandmother MAY come to stay with
12. We MUST/HAVE TO get up early on
us next month, but she isn’t sure. (C)
weekdays. (B)
30. We DON’T HAVE TO/ DON’T NEED TO/
13. Visitors CAN’T use mobile photos in this
NEEDN’T wear a school uniform. (D)
museum. (H)
31. Students MUSTN’T use mobile phones in
14. Peter MUST be very rich; he always eats out
class. (F)
and wears expensive clothes. (I)
32. CAN I go out on Friday evening, dad? (G)
15. My baby sister CAN’T (not) walk or speak;
33. Patrick MUST be very intelligent, he never
she’s only one. (A)
studies, but he always gets the best marks in
16. You SHOULD pay more attention in class,
my class. (I)
Sam. (E)
34. Dad SHOULDN’T (not) smoke so much or
17. Peter MAY come to the party, but he isn’t
he’ll suffer from larynx cancer. (E)
sure. (C)
35. CAN your brother play football well? Yes,
18. You SHOULD take your cough medicine, then
he CAN. (A)
you’ll feel better. (B)
36. I’m afraid I CAN’T have lunch with you on
Saturday; I’m working until 5:30 p.m.
(H)

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