MODALS
(1) Complete the passage by filling in the blanks with appropriate modals:
God is great and we (a) __________ be grateful to him. We (b) __________ do our duty and leave the
reward in the hands of God. Ultimately, God (c) __________ help us. We (d) __________ leave everything
to God.
(2) Complete the passage by filling in the blanks with appropriate modals:
If you (a) __________ some assistance organising your desk, your cupboard and your room, Tidy Teens (b)
__________ help. This student-run group raises money for charity by cleaning up. "We didn't realise it when
we started, but we (c) __________ thought of a better way to raise money", says 17-year-old Brian Mason,
who helped establish the group. We (d) __________ support such groups.
(3) Complete the passage by filling in the blanks with appropriate modals:
Anubha (a) __________ thought she was dreaming when she heard that she'd won the National Secondary
School Essay Contest. "I didn't believe it", she explains. "I just laughed at first, which I probably (b)
__________ done." The prize, a cheque for Rs. 10000 will be awarded to Anubha at a ceremony in March. "I
(c) __________ guessed that there would be a price to pay for the award and there is. I (d) ___________
write a speech to give at the ceremony", Anubha says. "I'm pretty nervous but I hope I (e) __________ able
to do a good job."
(4) There is a missing word (modal) in each line of the following passage. Write the word before and after
the word that makes your answer as well as the missing modal:
Before Missing After
(a) People not ask a writer why he writes his ______ ______ ______
(b) biography. They know that every ______ ______ ______
(c) life be interesting if properly presented. ______ ______ ______
(d) Moreover, we learn many things if ______ ______ ______
(e) we want to, from a great life. It not ______ ______ ______
(f) necessarily be the life of a great leader that inspire us. ______ ______ ______
(5) Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals:
(a) Sulekha is a very intelligent girl. She __________ do an entire page of tough sums in ten minutes. She
__________ speak three languages and __________ read at least five. There is very little that she
__________ do.
(b) Rani used to be such a quiet baby. She __________ have a bottle of milk in the morning and then play
by herself for an hour. I __________ give her a bath at 10 o’clock; then she __________ have her cereal
and she __________ fall asleep as soon as I put her back in the cradle.
(6) Fill in the blanks in the following sentences using one of the words given in brackets.
(a) Our school team __________ win the trophy. They have been working hard for it. (should, might, could)
(b) We must be at the stadium early; there __________ be a big crowd today. (shall, will, can)
(c) Don't look so unhappy. You never know we __________ meet again next year. (must, may, could)
(d) If it had been any other day I __________ offer to do the job for you. (should, would, could)
(e) He'll be taking the early morning train so you __________ expect him home by the evening. (may, shall,
can)
(f) __________ you stand on your head? (May, Shall, Can)
(g) It's too bright here. __________ you draw the curtains? (Shouldn't, Wouldn't, Oughtn't)
(h) He __________ stop smoking. He'll ruin his health otherwise. (could, should, would)
Answers:
(1) (a) should
(b) should
(c) will
(d) should
(2) (a) need
(b) might
(c) could not have
(d) must/should
(3) (a) must have
(b) should not have
(c) should have
(d) have to
(e) would be
(4) Before Missing After
(a) People need not
(b) They should know
(c) life can be
(d) we may learn
(e) It need not
(f) that can inspire
(5) (a) can, can, can, cannot
(b) used to, would, used to, would
(6) (a) should
(b) will/ can
(c) may
(d) could
(e) may
(f) Can
(g) Wouldn’t
(h) should