EXERCISES ON MODAL VERBS Ex 1: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. 1. You’ve got plenty of time. You ______ hurry. A. needn’t B. can’t C. mustn’t D. mightn’t 2. That was excellent work. But I ______ do it without you A. can’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. couldn’t 3. I ______ go to work on Saturdays. It’s my day off A. can’t B. shouldn’t C. don’t need to D. needn’t to 4. Ann stayed in bed this morning because she ______ go to work. A. couldn’t B. didn’t need to C. mustn’t D. mayn’t 5. You ______ forget to turn off the lights when you go to bed. A. mustn’t B. shouldn’t C. may not D. needn’t 6. He sees very badly, so he ______ wear glasses all the time. A. can B. needs C. must D. might 7. I ______ swim well when I was a child. I even won the school championships. A. should B. may C. must D. could 8. You ______ go to the grocery store to buy milk. We have some milk in the fridge. A. needn’t B. shouldn’t C. mustn’t D. mightn’t 9. When I was in school, I ______ do a hand stand, but now I’m too old. A. can B. could C. will D. should 10. Dad ______ go and see a doctor. His cough is getting worse all the time. A. mustn’t B. need C. should D. cannot Ex 2: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. 1. You don’t have to shout. I ______ hear you very well. A. must B. can C. should D. need 2. You look pretty tired. I think you ______ go to bed early tonight. A. should B. can C. might D. must 3. “Children, you ______ cross the street if the lights are red” A. mayn’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. mightn’t 4. You ______ sit so near the TV. It’s bad for your eyes. A. cannot B. couldn’t C. may not D. shouldn’t 5. I ______ stop and talk to you now. I have to get to the library. A. couldn’t B. mustn’t C. oughtn’t D. cannot 6. You ______ use your mobile phone during the test. Its against the rules. A. mightnt B. mustnt C. oughtnt D. neednt 7. All students ______ hand in their assignments by Friday at the latest. A. ought B. might C. must D. may 8. You ______ pass the exam in order to graduate from high school. A. must B. can C. may D. might 9. Jeff’s great in the kitchen – he ______ cook amazing meals A. could B. needs C. may D. must 10. Passengers ______ open the door when the train is moving. A. mustn’t B. needn’t C. mightn’t D. oughtn’t
Trang 1EXERCISES ON MODAL VERBS
Ex 1: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 You’ve got plenty of time You hurry
2 That was excellent work But I do it without you
3 I go to work on Saturdays It’s my day off
A can’t B shouldn’t C don’t need to D needn’t to
4 Ann stayed in bed this morning because she go to work
A couldn’t B didn’t need to C mustn’t D mayn’t
5 You forget to turn off the lights when you go to bed
A mustn’t B shouldn’t C may not D needn’t
6 He sees very badly, so he wear glasses all the time
7 I swim well when I was a child I even won the school championships
8 You go to the grocery store to buy milk We have some milk in the fridge
A needn’t B shouldn’t C mustn’t D mightn’t
9 When I was in school, I do a hand stand, but now I’m too old
10 Dad go and see a doctor His cough is getting worse all the time
Ex 2: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 You don’t have to shout I hear you very well
2 You look pretty tired I think you go to bed early tonight
3 “Children, you cross the street if the lights are red!”
4 You sit so near the TV It’s bad for your eyes
A cannot B couldn’t C may not D shouldn’t
5 I stop and talk to you now I have to get to the library
A couldn’t B mustn’t C oughtn’t D cannot
6 You use your mobile phone during the test It's against the rules
A mightn't B mustn't C oughtn't D needn't
7 All students hand in their assignments by Friday at the latest
8 You pass the exam in order to graduate from high school
9 Jeff’s great in the kitchen – he cook amazing meals!
10 Passengers open the door when the train is moving
A mustn’t B needn’t C mightn’t D oughtn’t
Ex 3: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 Rose and Ted be good players They have won hundreds of cups!
2 I’m not sure where my wife is at the moment She be at her dance class
3 Jerry be working today He never works on Sundays
Trang 24 It be him I saw him a week ago, and he didn’t look like that
5 I don’t know where Kelly is She be at her sister’s
6 It rain today It’s getting cloudy already
7 There’s a knock at the door I’m expecting Paul It be him
8 I can’t get my phone to work It be out of order
9 She be 35 She looks older than that
A Shouldn’t B couldn’t C mustn’t D can’t
10 Sally looks sad and worried She have a problem with something
Ex 4: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 She be at work; she always works at this time
2 It happen, but it is very unlikely
3 I'm not sure, but Tony probably get that demanding job
4 You be hungry You’ve just eaten two burgers
5 Ludwig: “Look! That’s Jenny.” – Michael: “It be Jenny She’s in London today.”
6 Nuria: “Do you know where Javier is?” – Paul: “I’m not sure He be in the bathroom
7 Scott: “I’ve made a cake for our party.” – Greg: “It looks great You be a really good cook.”
8 Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It have cost a fortune
A must B might C will D should
9 Peter come with us tonight, but he isn’t very sure
10 She hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday She be very hungry
Ex 5: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 I didn’t feel very well yesterday I eat anything
2 I was using my pencil a minute ago It be here somewhere!
3 Phone her now She home by now
A has to be B must be C would be D need
4 You forget your sun cream It’s going to be very hot!
A don’t have to B mustn’t C needn’t D mayn’t
5 I be able to help you, but I’m not sure yet
6 Already as a child Mozart play the piano beautifully
7 Which sign are you more likely to see at an airport: Bags not be left unattended
Trang 38 Whose is this bag? - I don’t know, but it belong to Yuta
9 You tired You’ve only just got out of bed!
A don’t have to be B can’t be C mustn’t be D mightn’t be
10 She be very pleased with herself She got the best grades
Ex 6: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 Detective, my son that car last Sunday afternoon He was getting married at that time
in front of 200 guests!
A couldn't have stolen C shouldn't have stolen
B may not have stolen D mustn’t have stolen
2 That smart girl studied a lot, so she well on the test, but she didn’t
A may have done B should have done C must have done D need have done
3 Who broke the big vase in the back office? - It Brian – he’s very clumsy
A should have been B need have been C might have been D ought to have been
4 I’m not sure where the boss went this morning He to our other branch office in Glendale
A should have gone B would have gone C can’t have gone D may have gone
5 The big grammar test is today I’m in trouble – I last night, but I didn't!
A should have studied C must have studied
6 Taylor Swift’s latest boyfriend just left her for a younger girl who isn’t even famous She happy when she found out!
A shouldn't have been C would rather have been
7 Uh-oh, you broke Dad’s favorite pool cue You that – you’re going to be in big trouble
B shouldn't have done D needn’t have done
8 Wow, Sally has never missed a day of work before - Well, she was coughing yesterday, and she didn’t look good She sick
A should have gotten C must have gotten
B ought to have gotten D can’t have gotten
9 I can't find my sunglasses My sister them with her when she went out
A should have taken B need have taken C must have taken D had better take
10 Ann is very ill, she a doctor when I told her to do so
A might have seen B had better see C must have seen D should have seen
Ex 7: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 I made a mistake yesterday I the keys in my car and now it is stolen
A must not have left C should not have left
B could not have left D ought not to leave
2 We had our house painted, but it looks darker now We a different colour
A must have chosen C didn't need to choose
3 "I could not believe my eyes He finished the whole cake himself." - "But he hungry
He had eaten a great meal before he left!"
A may not have been C could not have been
B should not have been D must not have been
4 Donald at work early in the morning because his customers usually came in the afternoon
Trang 4B shouldn't have been D can't have been
5 Paul asked me to check the exercises He thought I have made a mistake
A might B can C should D need
6 A “Why is Sue late for work?” B “Her train have been delayed due to the strike”
A can’t B ought to C might D should
7 Pam have set the alarm clock since she had the day off
A mustn’t B can’t C needn’t D couldn’t
8 Mrs Black will get angry I have written the history essay last weekend
A must B should C may D can
9 The children have finished their homework by the time we get home, but I’m not sure
A aren’t able to B have to C might D must
10 Why didn’t you ask Paul for help? He have given a lift to the airport yesterday
A can B ought to C could D should
Ex 8: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 It’s 8 p.m now Paul be at home; he always works until 9 p.m
A can’t B mustn’t C can D may
2 My sister come back from London tonight, but I’m not sure
3 Nobody knows exactly why he died But we think it have been an accident
4 I have revised more for the exam I was lazy, and now I'll fail!
5 My son has always been a clever boy; he read when he was three
A could B might C may D must
6 Sarah looked very happy She passed her driving test
7 The window was broken, so the thieves have got in through that window
8 You often have headaches I think you visit a neurologist
A may B can C should D need
9 Mary have forgotten our appointment Why isn’t she here?
10 A “Isn’t that John over there?” B “It be John, he’s at work now.”
A mustn’t B can’t C shouldn’t D needn’t
Ex 9: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 I take a bus to school; I go there on foot every day
A mustn’t B needn’t C shouldn’t D can’t
2 You bring anything; we’ve bought everything for dinner
A have not to B may not C don’t need to D shouldn’t
3 You have paid more attention Now we are lost
4 I don't know where they went but they have gone to Paris or Marseille
5 We’ve run out of coffee We get some tomorrow
6 You ill yesterday Jessie saw you playing football with your classmates
A shouldn’t have been C mustn’t be
7 I can't believe Jim hasn't arrived yet He have taken the wrong train
Trang 58 Dad is taking a nap; you make so much noise, children
A mustn’t B might not C needn’t D can’t
9 You buy a dictionary; there are a lot in class
A may not B mustn’t C needn’t D shouldn’t
10 I didn't know you were going to Phil's party yesterday You me!
A Should tell B might have told C must tell D should have told
Ex 10: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each
of the following questions
1 She before she was a year old
A could walk B could have walked C can walk D can have walked
2 I’m not sure, but I early tonight
A must have left B might have left C need leave D may leave
3 I’m not sure where my wife is at the moment She be at her dance class
4 She knew everything about our plans She to our conversation
A can’t have listened C must listen
B must have listened D could listen
5 Ann stayed in bed this morning because she to work
A shouldn’t have gone C didn’t have to
6 This chest of drawers is very old It at least 200 years old
A can’t be B should be C will be D must be
7 She did really badly in her test She much
A mustn’t have studied C shouldn’t have studied
B might not have studied D can’t have studied
8 Layla: “My daughter got a silver medal in the last race!” – Bobby: “You really proud
of her!”
A can’t be B have to be C must be D could be
9 They so much food with them! They knew I was going to prepare some myself
A mustn’t have brought C needn’t have brought
B didn’t need to bring D needn’t bring
10 You smoke cigarette in hospital
A might not B couldn’t C needn’t D mustn’t
Ex 11: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence printed before it
1 It is forbidden to take photos in the museum
2 You are required to show your student card as you enter the library
3 Soldiers are forbidden to leave the camp unless they get special permission
4 Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to go beyond this point
5 Readers are not permitted to take books out of the library without first filling in a form
6 It’s forbidden to touch the statues in the museum
7 You are not allowed to use a dictionary during the exam
8 Eating is prohibited on the Metro
9 It is against the rules to write your answers in ink
Trang 610 It is against the rules to start writing before the test starts
Ex 12: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence printed before it
1 I’m sure he is at least thirty-five
2 They are so elegant I’m sure they are going to a party
3 Surely the theater isn’t full already
4 It is impossible that he speaks five languages
5 I’m sure she isn’t feeling sick now
6 I believe business is now experiencing a severe recession
7 It is certain that he failed the exam because he didn’t study at all
8 I’m sure she was very beautiful when she was young
9 I'm pretty sure that he didn't open the window
10 I suppose he has left Austria
11 I strongly believe that David is not lying this time
12 It's impossible that they are hungry They just had a full Irish breakfast
13 I’m certain they informed the police about the robbery
14 I have no doubt that he was lying to you
15 I don’t believe Harry spent the whole evening studying for his French exam
Ex 13: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence printed before it
1 It’s a good idea to get a dental check-up every six months
2 It is a bad idea for us to smoke in here
3 I'd see a doctor if I were you
4 It would be a good idea to avoid eating sweets
5 It would be a good idea to eat less high-cholesterol food
6 It was careless of you to leave without locking the door
7 It wasn't a good idea for you to call him an idiot
8 It was wrong of him to go without checking the times
9 It was very bad of you to use my mobile without asking my permission
Trang 710 I regret not speaking to Marge sooner
11 I wish I hadn’t eaten all those shellfish
12 My only regret is that I didn’t follow her advice
13 It was a mistake for you to get angry with your mother
14 It was careless of you not to invite him to the party
15 It is impolite to say such things to the kids
Ex 14: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence printed before it
1 There is no obligation to work anymore, so you can relax
2 It is necessary for me to study for the exam
3 It is not essential for Jim to get up early tomorrow because it is a holiday
4 It’s not necessary for Julie to work today; she can have the day off
5 There is no need for you to water the plants this morning
6 It wasn’t necessary for him to take a coat but he did
7 We took a lot of luggage on our holiday, which was not necessary
8 It was not necessary for them to buy so much food
9 She came early last night, which was unnecessary because they party didn’t start till ten
10 It wasn’t necessary for her to buy as many eggs as she did
11 It is important for you to learn to drive
12 There is no need to correct the tests today
13 It wasn’t necessary for her to buy so many eggs but she did
14 It wasn’t necessary to buy so many roses as you did
15 There was no need for you to buy me that present
Ex 15: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence printed before it
1 It is very possible that he will win the prize
2 He is likely to change his job
3 He’ll probably come to the party
Trang 84 Perhaps she is busy at the moment
5 There is a possibility Paul will come to the party this evening
6 Perhaps she was behaving so arrogantly because of her insecurity
7 It was likely that she had taken the last train
8 I think Alice worked at a hotel last summer, but I’m not sure
9 Maybe Paul forgot that we changed the time of the meeting
10 Perhaps we missed the correct turning
Ex 16: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest
in meaning to each of the following questions
1 It is possible that we won’t have to take an entrance exam this year
A Perhaps we didn’t have to take an entrance exam this year
B We mustn’t take an entrance exam this year
C We might not have to take an entrance exam this year
D It is very likely that we will take an entrance exam this year
2 Workers are not allowed to use the office phone for personal calls
A The office phone is supposed to be used by workers only
B They don’t allow workers to make phone calls personally
C Workers mustn’t use the office phone for personal purposes
D They don’t let workers use the office phone
3 If only I had taken his advice
A I should have taken his advice C I regret taking his advice
B I wish I hadn’t taken his advice D I regret not to take his advice
4 Janet had better change her job
A Janet had a better job after changing C Janet had changed her job for good
B Janet should change her job D Janet’s job had change for the better
5 If only you had told me the truth about the theft
A You should have told me the truth about the theft
B Only if you had told me the truth about the theft
C Had you told me the truth, there wouldn’t have been the theft
D You only told me the truth if there was a theft
6 You should have persuaded him to change his mind
A It was essential to persuade him to change his mind but you didn’t
B You should persuade him to change his mind
C You persuaded him to change his mind but he didn’t listen
D You didn’t persuade him to change because of his mind
7 It would have been better if he had told us his new address
A He might have told us his new address
B He should have told us his new address
C He must have told us his address
D It doesn’t matter that he didn’t tell us his address
8 I am sure that they are not expecting us this early
A We should arrive early or they will expect us
B They can’t be expecting us this early
C If we arrive this early, they are not there
D They may not like us to arrive late
9 Tim is likely to fail if he takes the exam without studying
Trang 9A Tim will not fail if he takes the exam without studying
B Tim may fail the exam if he doesn’t study
C It’s certain that Tim will fail because he doesn’t study
D I’m sure that Tim will pass the exam if he studies
10 Tom has been working all day He must be tired now
A I’m sure Tom is tired after working all day
B I think Tom must work all day and tired now
C I think Tom was tired all day working
D Tom is tired now because he is working all day
Ex 17: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest
in meaning to each of the following questions
1 You needn’t have taken so many warm clothes
A It’s not necessary for you to take so many warm clothes
B You have taken so many warm clothes that I don’t need
C There is no need for you to take so many warm clothes
D You took a lot of warm clothes, which was not necessary
2 It must have rained last night
A I believe it rained last night C It’s impossible that it rained last night
B I think it has rained last night D it’s likely to rain last night
3 Richard must have forgot about our meeting
A Richards never forgets when he has a meeting
B It seems that Richard forgot our meeting
C Richard should have cancelled the meeting
D Richard has to come to a meeting
4 It couldn’t have been Mary that you heard shouting last night, as she is vacationing in Vermont
at the moment
A I think Mary is on holiday in Vermont now, so you may be wrong in thinking that you heard her yelling last night
B Right now, Mary is having a holiday in Vermont, so it is impossible that it was she whose shouting you heard last night
C Are you sure it was Mary who shouted to you last night, because, as far as I know, she is
on vacation in Vermont at the moment?
D If it was Mary that you heard yelling last night, then she can’t be taking a vacation in Vermont at the moment
5 Mary might have phoned while we were out
A Possibly Mary phoned while we were out
B Unfortunately, we were out while Mary phoned
C We were sure Mary had phoned while we were out
D Mary ought to have phoned while we were out
6 You need not have washed the sheets The hotel staff does the cleaning
A It is good that you washed the sheets
B It was not necessary to wash the sheets, even though you did
C It was necessary to wash the sheets, but you did not do it
D It was necessary to wash the sheets, and you did not do it
7 I'm sure it was Tom who cleared everything up
A Tom must have clear everything up C Tom must has cleared everything up
B Tom must has not cleared everything up D Tom must have cleared everything up
8 It was careless of you to leave the luggage over there unattended
A You shouldn’t have left the luggage over there unattended
B Leaving the luggage unattended is not permitted
C You shouldn’t leave the luggage over there unattended
D You could hardly leave the luggage over there unattended
9 Walking on the grass in the park is not permitted
Trang 10A You can walk on the grass in the park if you want to
B People like walking on the grass in the park
C We must not walk on the grass in the park
D We do not have to walk on the grass in the park
10 It’s possible that she did not hear what I said
A She may not hear what I said C She may not have heard what I said
B She might not hear what I said D She might have not heard what I said
Ex 18: Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest
in meaning to each of the following questions
1 Tom went on and on apologizing about it, which was quite unnecessary
A Tom can’t have apologized I quite understand
B Tom shouldn’t have apologized I quite understand
C Tom wouldn’t have apologized I quite understand
D Tom needn’t have apologized I quite understand
2 It was a mistake for her to marry Peter
A She shouldn’t have married Peter
B She and Peter weren’t married in the right way
C Peter didn’t want to get married, so it was her mistake
D She ought to think again before she marries Peter
3 The man gave his daughter more money than necessary
A The father must have given his daughter a lot of money
B The father can’t have given his daughter a lot of money
C The father shouldn’t have given his daughter so much money
D The father needn’t have given his daughter so much money
4 You were wrong to let them watch too much TV
A Watching TV is not good for them
B You shouldn’t have allowed them to watch too much TV
C You had better not let them watch TV too much
D You needn’t have allowed them to watch too much TV
5 Tom wished he had studied harder for his graduation exam
A Tom should have studied harder for his graduation exam
B Tom might have studied harder for his graduation exam
C Tom must have studied harder for his graduation exam
D Tom can’t have studied harder for his graduation exam
6 It was wrong of you not to call the fire brigade at once
A The fire brigade was called at the wrong time
B You should have called the fire brigade at once
C You didn’t call the fire brigade at once, which was a good idea
D Calling the fire brigade must be done at once
7 I’m sure it wasn’t Mr Pike you saw because he is in London
A It mustn’t have been Mr Pike you saw because he is in London
B It might not be Mr Pike you saw because he is in London
C It can’t have been Mr Pike you saw because he is in London
D It couldn’t be Mr Pike you saw because he is in London
8 I am sure that they are hungry now
A It’s possible that they are hungry now C They must be hungry now
B They must have been hungry now D They are required to be hungry now
9 It’s impossible that John is at school right now
A John can’t be at school right now C John mustn’t be at school right now
B John can’t have been at school now D John mustn’t have been at school right now
10 Perhaps Nam went out with his girlfriend