MODALS, SUMMER HOMEWORK
1) Should / Shouldn't
Complete the advice using should or shouldn't.
If your boss is very stressed, she __________
Should take a holiday.
The boys have been very rude. They __________
Should say sorry.
Leslie has been feeling lonely recently. She __________
Shouldn’t stay at home all the time.
Thomas isn't very good at maths. He __________
Should ask someone to help him.
If you can't sleep properly, you __________
Shouldn t drink so much coffee.
Before taking any medicine, people __________
Should ask their doctor.
If you want to go to the beach, you __________
Should take suncream.
2) Disapproval and regret in the past
Complete the sentences with should and one of these verbs in the correct form: tell,
buy, leave, spend, prepare, be. Use contracted forms where possible.
That dress is too small. You __________
Should buy a bigger size.
I didn't finish my homework for today. I __________
Shouldn’t so much time chatting on my phone last
night. have spend
The interview for the summer job didn't go very well. Perhaps I __________
Should had for it a bit better.
prepared
'My boyfriend left me.' 'You __________________
Shouldn t be kinder to him.'
What do you think? __________
Should we (we) a tip for the waitress? She was really kind and helpful.
Leave
You __________
Shouldn t have anyone my secret. Now everybody knows I'm having counselling.
Said
3) Past modal verbs: deduction
Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences. Use contracted forms
where possible.
You [ must \ might \ can't ] have been very pleased when you heard the good news.
I thought I saw Bill in the park but it [ could \ may not \ can't ] have been him as he's in
Paris.
Do you think somebody [ must \ could \ may not ] have taken the laptop from the music
room? I can't see it anywhere.
Mum [ mustn't \ can't \ might ] have driven to work. She's left her glasses behind.
I think the waiter [ couldn't \ must \ might ] have made a mistake. He brought us an extra
dish.
They [ might not \ couldn't \ mustn't ] have received the wedding invitations yet. Can you
just check, please?
Oh dear, I can't find my wallet again! I [ can't \ must \ may ] have left it on the kitchen
table at breakfast, but I'm not sure.
4) Modals of ability, possibility, permission. Choose the correct alternative to
complete the text.
They [ can't have bought \ succeeded in getting ] the tickets for the concert because they
look very happy.
Timothy has just phoned me from his mother's mobile. He [ can \ might ] be at her house.
Susan lost her pursue at school so she [ wasn't able to \ might not ] pay for her lunch.
My brother [ could \ may ] run very fast when he was six.
My son studied hard and he [ had to \ managed to ] get a good mark.
It [ must \ may ] be sunny next Friday.
5) Must, mustn't, have to, not have to: obligation vs absence of obligation
Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
1. Students [ mustn't \ needn't ] eat in class.
2. You [ don't have to \ mustn't ] drive a car if you haven't passed your driving test.
3. Stuart [ doesn't have to \ must ] feel left out just because he can't football play well.
4. You [ needn't \ must ] help a friend who's feeling anxious about his or her problems.
5. I'm so glad we [ mustn't \ don't have to ] study all weekend for the History test.
6. Remember that you [ needn't \ have to ] turn off the lights before you go home.
6) Read the following email and choose the correct option.
Hi Francesca!
Just a few lines to tell you that I've finally moved house. My new address is 72 Nowhere
Street, Nocity, Nostate.
Of course, when I was in Dublin, I [ could \ was able to \ may ] do anything I wanted: I
could go to the cinema, or to the theatre, meet friends up, eat out, follow an evening course,
do any sport… Here in Nocity I [ may not \ couldn't \ can't ] really do those things so
easily. Even though, I hope that when I get my new car next week I'll [ be allowed to \ be
able to \ succeed in ] travel to nearby towns and take advantage of the things on offer. I
enjoy [ succeeding in \ being able to \ can ] take a walk in the woods when I want and
getting home from work in only 8 minutes. Last but not least, I love [ being able to \
manage to \ succeeding in ] spend more time relaxing.
Hope to hear from you soon, take care!
Allegra
7) Scegli l'alternativa esatta tra quelle proposte.
1. I [ might \ can't ] have written down the charity shop's name. Let me check.
2. You look tired. You [ should \ must ] have worked a lot at the animal shelter.
3. Ben didn't feel so good. He [ mustn't \ ought not ] to have donated blood!
4. They [ must \ can ] have seen the new girl volunteering as a babysitter. She was at the
party.
8) For each sentence, choose the correct function of can: ability, permission, request.
1. She can play the guitar and sing nicely. [ ability \ permission \ request ]
2. Can you pass me the salt, please? [ ability \ permission \ request ]
3. You can use my bike if you want. [ ability \ permission \ request ]
4. Can you do me a favour? [ ability \ permission \ request ]
5. I can jump very high. [ ability \ permission \ request ]
6. You can borrow my sunglasses. [ ability \ permission \ request ]
7. They can meet us at 6.00 pm. [ ability \ permission \ request ]
8. Mary, you can leave the class before the end of the lesson.[ ability \ permission \
request ]
9. He can't drive because he is only 16. [ ability \ permission \ request ]
9) Scegli l'alternativa esatta tra quelle proposte.
George I would like to have a picnic tomorrow, but I am worried it [ could \ must ] rain.
And, if it rains, we [ couldn't \ can't ] have a picnic!
Britney Oh, come on, [ couldn't \ must not ] you try to relax a little? It's summer and even
if it rains it won't last long.
George Even five minutes rain [ can \ cannot ] be annoying. Don't you remember last
summer? We [ couldn't \ weren't able to ] finish our picnic because of the rain!
Britney But we [ weren't able to \ were able to ] find shelter and we had great fun. This
year you [ can \ are able to ] bring a tent and use it in case of rain. It [ could \ mustn't ]
be funny.
George Don't be so silly! I [ can't \ must ] bring a tent! I already have lots of things to
bring… and all by myself! [ Can't \ Must ] you help me?
Britney You are the one who is fond of picnics, not me!