Modal Verbs

1) I'm not sure where John put the paper clips, but I think he might have put them in the
drawer next to the filing cabinet.

A – might have put B – might put C – might have been putting D – might having put

2) The CEO would like to remind you that all reports must be completed by the end of next
week – this is the final deadline.

A – might be B – should C – would have been D – must be

3) At your time of life you ought be thinking about your next career move, not about retiring!

A – should have thought B – might think C – ought to be thinking D – will

think

4) Excuse me, but would you mind opening the window over there, I think this young lady is
not feeling very well.

A – could you B – would you mind C – will you bother D – should you be

5) I'm sorry to contradict you, but you couldn't possibly have been working here on Friday
evening. The office was closed at that time.

A – have worked B – worked C – have been working D – be working

6) You don’t have to come in early tomorrow, Frieda. The CEO's visit has been canceled.

A – don't have to B – mustn't C – have not to D – mustn't have

7) Oh, so it wasn't you that wrote the letter. I'm sorry, I must have been wrong.

A – had to be B – should have been C – would have been D – must have been

8) Why weren't you in your office at 10 o'clock this morning? You should have been
waorking on the Campinas project – you know it has to be finished by lunch time!

A – must have been working

B – might have worked
C – should have been working
D – could have worked
Complete the following text...

Members of staff (9) ----------- of the following changes to safety regulations.

A) should take note
B) might take note
C) could take note
D) need take note
Following a serious accident last week to an employee involving a factory machine which he
(10) ----------- all employees (11) ----------- henceforth respect the regulations

A) mustn't have been operating A) should

B) shouldn't have operated B) must
C) shouldn't have been operating C) need
D) mustn't have operated D) have

posted up in the operations room or risk dismissal.

There (12) --------- be occasions where non-operatives (13) ------- use machinery in the
factory,
A) should A) had to
B) need B) will have to
C) would C) will must
D) might D) are having to

but they must obtain permission to do so first from the foreman.

They (14) ----------- obtain written permission any longer as this is no longer stipulated in the
A) do not have to
B) must not
C) need not to
D) have not to

regulations, but they need (15) -------- to a foreman prior to their entering the factory
A) to be speaking
B) to have been speaking
C) to have spoken
D) to be speaking

building. The HR department will (16) ----- new guidelines on this matter in the coming days.
A) have issued
B) have been issuing
C) have been issued
D) be issuing

The management (17) ------ welcome any suggestions from staff for improving factory safety.
A) might
B) could
C) may
D) would