MODAL VERB EXERCISES

1. She ___ be ill. I have just seen her playing basket ball in the school yard.
A. needn't B. shouldn't C. mustn't D. can't
2. Hiking the trail to the peak _____ be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather
changes. You _____ research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.
A. might / can B. may / mustn't C. can / should D. must / needn't
3. Peter has been working for 10 hours. He _______ be very tired now.
A. needn't B. must C. has to D. should
4. He is unreliable. What he says _______ be believeD.
A. cannot B. must not C. may not D. might not
5. I _______ find my own way there. You _______ wait for me.
A. should / can't B. have to / must C. can / needn't D. might / mustn't
6. I was reading the book last night before I went to beD. I never took it out of this room. It ____ be lying
around here somewhere. Where ___ it be?
A. might / needn't B. can / should C. shouldn't / may D. must / can
7. When you have a small child in the house, you _______ leave small objects lying arounD. Such objects
_______ be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.
A. should / must B. should not / might C. needn't / may D. mustn't / can't
8. Jenny's engagement ring was precious! It _______ have cost a fortune.
A. must B. should C. can D. needn't
9. You _____ take your umbrella along with you today. It ______rain later on this afternoon.
A. ought to / mustn't B. needn't / will C. will / must D. should / might
10. I _____be at the meeting by 10:00. I will probably _____ take a taxi if I want to be on time.
A. must/ have to B. may / must C. should / needn't D. mustn't / shouldn't
11. You ____ forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very strict about paying on time.
A. needn't B. mustn't C. do not have to D. may not
12. I am not deaf. You _______ shout.
A. must B. mustn't C. need D. needn’t
13. _______ I borrow your lighter for a minute? - Sure, no problem. Actually, you _______ keep it if you
want to.
A. May / can B. Must / might C. Will / should D. Might / needn’t
14. I do not mind at all. You _______ apologize.
A. shouldn't B. needn't C. mustn't D. oughtn't to
15. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He _______ exhausted after such a long flight
now.
A. must be B. must be being C. must have been D. should have been
16. The lamp _______ be broken. Maybe the light bulb just burned out.
A. should not B. might not C. must not D. will not
17. It is a top secret. You _______ tell anyone about it.
A. mustn't B. needn't C. mightn't D. won't
18. We have plenty of time for doing the work. We _______ be hurrieD.
A. needn't B. shouldn't C. mustn't D. mayn't
19. Frank's wallet is lying on the coffee table. He _______ it here last night.
A. must have left B. should have left C. must be leaving D. needn't leave
20. John failed again. He _______ harder.
A. must have tried B. should have tried C. can tried D. may have tried
21. The television isn't working. It _______ during the move.
A. should have been damaged B. needn't be damagedC. must have been damaged D. ought
not be damaged
22. She spoke in a low voice, but I _______ what she was saying
A. can understand B. could understand C. were able understand D. could have under stood
23. Robert arrived without his books. He ________ it.
A. could have lost B. would have lostC. should have lost D. will have lost
24. “ where do you think Roony is today?”. “ I have no ideA. He _____ late.”
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 A. should have left B. would sleep C. would have sleep D. may have sleep
25.The photos are black. The X-ray at the airport ______ them
A. should have damage B. would have damageC. would damage D. must have damage
26. The children _________ “thank you” to you when you gave them their gifts
A. will have said B. should have said C. must say D. should say
27. Jean did very badly on the exam. She _________ harder.
A. must have studied B. could have studied C. sholud have studied D. must studied
28. These two boys are identical. They _________ twins.
A. must have been B. should be C. must be D. should have been
29. Had we known your new address, we _________ to see you.
A. came B. will come C. would have come D. would come
30. My car stopped on the high way. It ______ out of gas.
A. may run B. must be C. may have run D. should have
run
31. You have been reading for four hours. This book ___ be very interesting.
A. can B. might C. must D. should
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32. Don t phone Ann now. She ___ be having lunch.
A. might B. can C. must D. has to
33. This road is very narrow. It ___to be wideneD.
A. might B. needs C. mustn’t D. may
34. My mother permitted me to go out at night. She said, “You ___ go out tonight.”
A. may B. have to C. must D. ought to 35.
He advised me to take an English course. I ___ it early.
A. should have taken B. should take C. will have taken D. may take
36. You ___ ring the bell; I have a key.
A. mustn’t B. needn’t C. couldn’t D. shouldn’t
37. The line is busy; someone ___ the telephone now.
A. must be using B. must have used C. must use D. must have been
using
38. “Are you still going to Florida for vacation?” “Yes, but I really ___because I don’t have much money.”
A. shouldn’t B. can’t C. mustn’t D. won’t
39. “Did Peter go downtown by car or by train?” “He ___by train because his car was in the mechanics.”
A. must go B. has to go C. had gone D. must have gone
40. “Have you seen Kate?” “No, but she ___ be at her desk.”
A. may B. ought C. would D. can
41. “Can I borrow twenty dollars?” “No, you know I ___ lend you money any more.”
A. might not B. shouldn’t have C. won’t D. not going to
42. ___ you remember what you were doing at this time yesterday?
A. Can B. Must C. May D. Should
43. I ___ understand this letter. Will you translate it for me?
A. mustn’t B. may not C. can’t D. shouldn’t
44. Daisy’s parents don’t let her go to late- night disco. She ___ be at home at 9 o’clock in the evening.
A. must B. may C. can D. has to
45. ___ you give me some advice about the language course?
A. Have B. Should C. May D. Could
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46. Why didn t you give me a call yesterday? We ___ discuss everything together.
A. can B. may C. must D. could
47. Yesterday I ___ finish the work because I was very tireD.
A. could B. can’t C. couldn’t D. mustn’t
48. Sit down, please. ___ a cup of tea?
A. Do you like B. Do you like to drink C. Would you like D. Will you like
49. Sorry, I ___ stay any longer. I really must go home.
A. mustn’t B. can not C. couldn’t D. may not
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50. “It ___rain this evening. Why don t you take an umbrella?”

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“That’s a good ideA. May I borrow yours?”
A. had better B. could be C. must D. might