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Modal Verbs

Name: ______________________Class: ________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 20
  1. 1.

    Which modal verb shows ability?

    (a) must(b) should(c) can(d) may
  2. 2.

    Fill in the blank: 'You ___ brush your teeth every day.' (obligation)

    Answer: ____________________________________

  3. 3.

    Which sentence asks for permission politely?

    (a) I can go now.(b) May I go to the toilet?(c) I must go.(d) I should go.
  4. 4.

    Fill in: 'She ___ play the piano when she was five.' (past ability)

    Answer: ____________________________________

  5. 5.

    What does 'should' express?

    (a) Certainty(b) Permission(c) Advice or recommendation(d) Ability
  6. 6.

    Fill in: 'It ___ rain later — look at those dark clouds.' (possibility)

    (a) must(b) can(c) might(d) should
  7. 7.

    Choose the correct modal: 'You ___ not run in the corridor.' (rule)

    (a) might(b) could(c) must(d) would
  8. 8.

    Rewrite using a modal verb: 'It is possible that he is at home.'

    Answer: ____________________________________

  9. 9.

    What is the difference between 'can' and 'may'?

    (a) No difference(b) 'Can' is for ability; 'may' is for permission(c) 'May' is for ability; 'can' is for permission(d) They are both for obligation
  10. 10.

    Fill in: 'You ___ see a doctor about that cough.' (advice)

    Answer: ____________________________________

  11. 11.

    Which sentence uses 'must' to show certainty?

    (a) You must finish your work.(b) She must be tired after the long walk.(c) We must not be late.(d) They must obey the rules.
  12. 12.

    Rewrite using 'could': 'Is it possible for you to help me?'

    Answer: ____________________________________

  13. 13.

    What is the negative form of 'You must run in the hall' (to make a rule)?

    (a) You must not run in the hall.(b) You don't must run in the hall.(c) You mustn't not run in the hall.(d) You can run in the hall.
  14. 14.

    Fill in: 'He ___ swim across the lake when he was younger, but now he ___.' (past ability, present inability)

    Answer: ____________________________________

  15. 15.

    Which modal makes the strongest obligation?

    (a) could(b) should(c) might(d) must
  16. 16.

    Rewrite using 'may': 'Perhaps she is coming to the party.'

  17. 17.

    What is wrong with: 'She can to sing very well.'?

    (a) Nothing is wrong(b) 'to' should be removed after 'can'(c) 'can' should be 'could'(d) 'very' is wrong
  18. 18.

    Complete: 'You ___ have told me earlier! Now it is too late.' (expressing annoyance)

    Answer: ____________________________________

  19. 19.

    Choose the best modal: '___ you mind closing the window?'

    (a) Must(b) Should(c) Would(d) Can
  20. 20.

    Fill in both blanks: 'You ___ not touch the exhibits. You ___ only look at them.' (prohibition, permission)

    Answer: ____________________________________

Answer key — P4 English: Modal Verbs

For parents. Step-by-step explanations for every question are free on brightbit.net.

  1. 1.(c) can
  2. 2.must
  3. 3.(b) May I go to the toilet?
  4. 4.could
  5. 5.(c) Advice or recommendation
  6. 6.(c) might
  7. 7.(c) must
  8. 8.He may be at home.
  9. 9.(b) 'Can' is for ability; 'may' is for permission
  10. 10.should
  11. 11.(b) She must be tired after the long walk.
  12. 12.Could you help me?
  13. 13.(a) You must not run in the hall.
  14. 14.could, cannot
  15. 15.(d) must
  16. 16.She may be coming to the party.
  17. 17.(b) 'to' should be removed after 'can'
  18. 18.should
  19. 19.(c) Would
  20. 20.must, may
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