MODALS WORKSHEET
Exercise 1 – Fill in the blanks with the correct
modals
1. I __ arrange the flowers for the bouquet. (may/can)
2. __ I borrow this pen from you? (may/might)
3. The teacher __ ask you to bring the homework. (might/can)
4. According to the weather forecast, it ___ snow heavily tomorrow. (may/shall)
5. Raj hasn’t studied well. He __ fail his exam. (might/shall)
6. You __ follow the traffic rules. (may/must)
7. It __ be difficult to live amidst war. (should/must)
8. My mother __ scold me if I don’t go back on time. (will/may)
9. We ___ take care of our parents. (ought to/ could)
10. I __ visit the local grocery store soon. (shall/can)
11. You ___ be punctual. (should/ought)
12. One __ repay all their debts. (must/ought to)
13. __ you show me the road to the market? (could/might)
14. The child __ be taken to hospital immediately. (must/might)
15. ___ you have hot chocolate? (shall/will)
Answers for Exercise 1
1. Can
2. May
3. Might
4. May
5. Might
6. Must
7. Must
8. Will
9. Ought to
10. Shall
11. Should
12. Ought to
13. Could
14. Must
15. Will
Exercise 2 – Identify the modal verb in the following
sentences
1. My teacher (can/must) speak four languages.
2. (May/should) I use your mobile to call my mother?
3. You (must/could) not speak loudly in the hospital.
4. I (could/must) use a little help in packing all these clothes.
5. Madam (could/may) you repeat what you said?
6. I (can/might) not be able to make it tonight.
7. Sheldon (ought to/must) study more if he wants to pass the test.
8. (Can/May) you come to the prom with me?
9. My parents (shall/ought to) arrive soon.
10. I (could/must) be late as I have a lot on my plate.
11. Leonard (can/may) easily solve the problem.
12. It (might/should) rain tomorrow.
13. (May/might) all your wishes come true in life.
14. I (could/might) not be any happier.
Answers for Exercise 2
1. Can
2. May
3. Must
4. Could
5. Could
6. Might
7. Must
8. Can
9. Shall
10. Could
11. Can
12. Might
13. May
14. Could
Exercise 3- CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER TO
FILL THE GAP.
But note: Some sentences have more than one possible answer.
modal verbs
Q1. It's very important to be able to speak more than one language.
can
be able to
Q2. If you don't start working harder, you will have to repeat the course
next year.
have to
must
will have to
Q3. Whose is this bag? - I don't know, but it would belong to Yuta.
could
may
should
would
Q4. She has to be very pleased with herself. She got the best grades.
has to
must
cannot
Q5. I really may try to get fit.
may
must
would
Q6. The test starts at 10.30. You don't have to be late.
don't have to
mustn't
Q7. Entrance to the museum was free. We ....... pay to get in.
needn't
didn't need to
Q8. You would look at me when I am talking to you.
could
should
would
Q9. You don't have to be tired. You've only just got out of bed!
don't have to be
can't be
mustn't be
Q10. His excuse ....... be true, but I don't believe.
can
may
Q11. I could help you, but I don't want to.
can
could
would
Q12. Already as a child Mozart would play the piano beautifully.
could
should
would
Q13. I'm so hungry I ....... eat a horse!
can
could
must
should
Q14. I don't like being able to get up early on a Sunday.
being able to
being allowed to
having to
Q15. How did you do in the test? - OK. It could have been worse!
could be
could have been
might be
would have been
Q16. ....... I go to the bathroom, please?
May
Must
Would
Q17. You can come to the meeting if you want but you ....... .
have to
don't have to
mustn't
Q18. ....... you swim?
Are you able to
Can
Q19. Students ....... borrow up to 6 books at any time.
are allowed to
could
Q20. Why didn't you tell me? I ....... you!
could help
could have helped
was able to help
would help
Q21. I ....... talk already before I was two years old.
could
should
would
Q22. Phone her now. She ....... home by now.
has to be
must be
would be
Q23. You ....... eat so much chocolate. It's not good for you.
don't have to
mustn't
shouldn't
Q24. ....... you open the window, please.
Can
May
Q25. I ....... move the table. It was too heavy.
couldn't
mustn't
shouldn't
wouldn't
Q26. I was using my pencil a minute ago. It ....... be here somewhere!
can
could
must
would
Q27. If you continue to practise so hard, you will be able to beat me
before too long!
can
could
will be able to
Q28. You really ....... be late again.
must not
don't have to be
Q29. You ....... forget your sun cream. It's going to be very hot!
don't have to
mustn't
needn't
Q30. ....... you speak French? - Only a few words, but my Russian is pretty
good.
Can
Could
Q31. I'm afraid I ....... play tennis tomorrow. I've got a dentist appointment.
can't
couldn't
would not be able to
Q32. You ....... not put your feet on the cafeteria tables.
must not
do not have to
Q33. ....... you help me move this table? (Both answers are possible.
Choose the more polite request.)
Can
Could
Q34. Which sign are you more likely to see at an airport: Bags ....... not be
left unattended.
can
must
may
Q35. I ....... be able to help you, but I'm not sure yet.
might
would
Q36. ....... take a photograph of you?
Am I allowed to
May I
Q37. I didn't feel very well yesterday. I ....... eat anything.
cannot
couldn't
mustn't
Q38. His parents spoil him. He's always ....... to do whatever he wants.
been able
been allowed
Q39. He ....... broken the classroom window. He wasn't even in school
today.
couldn't have
mustn't
shouldn't have
Q40. What do you want to do? - Well, we would have a picnic, but it looks
like rain.
can
could
should
would
Answers
1. be able to
2. will have to
3. could
4. must
5. must
6. mustn't
7. didn't need to
8. should
9. can't be
10. may
11. could
12. could
13. could
14. having to
15. could have been
16. May
17. don't have to
18. Can
19. are allowed to
20. could have helped
21. could
22. must be
23. shouldn't
24. Can
25. couldn't
26. must
27. will be able to
28. must not
29. mustn't
30. Can
31. can't
32. must not
33. Could
34. must
35. might
36. May I
37. couldn't
38. been allowed
39. couldn't have
40. would