MODAL VERBS: MULTIPLE

CHOICE
Choose the correct option to fill in the gaps:

1. Paul……………… be at home; he always works

until 9 p.m.
a) can’t b) mustn’t c) can 15. The new student ……… be German, he doesn’t
2. My sister …………… come back from London speak German fluently.
tonight, but I’m not sure. a) shouldn’t b) mustn’t c) can’t
a) may b) ought to c) must 16. Someone’s knocking at the door. It …………… be
3. Carl …………… speak a word of English before James; he said he’ come round today.
travelling to Britain. a) ought to b) must c) can’t
a) can’t b) wasn’t able to c) wasn’t allowed to 17. You …………… buy a dictionary; there are a lot
4. Mary ………… have forgotten our appointment. in class.
Why isn’t she here? a) may not b) mustn’t c) needn’t
a) can b) must c) may 18. People ………… fasten seat belts when travelling
5. …………… I use your phone, please? by car.
a) Must b) Should c) May a) must b) can c) should
6. You ………… have told us about Sue’s divorce. 19. Dad is taking a nap; you ………… make so much
We made such insensitive comments on her husband! noise, children.
a) shouldn’t b) should c) mustn’t a) mustn’t b) might not c) needn’t
7. My son has always been a clever boy; he ……… 20. We’ve run out of coffee. We ………… get some
read when he was three. tomorrow.
a) could b) might c) may a) may b) must c) might
8. I’m afraid I ……………… go out tonight, I ……… 21. You ………… better go home now, it’s getting
work late. dark.
a) can’t/ can b) can’t/ have to c) can’t/ should a) would b) should c) had
22. You ……………… have eaten the chocolate cake,
children! It was for dad’s party.
a) can’t b) might not c) mustn’t
23. A. “Why is Sue late for work?” B. “Her train
…………… have been delayed due to the strike”.
a) can’t b) ought to d) might
24. You …………… bring anything; we’ve bought
everything for dinner.
a) have not to b) may not c) don’t need to
9. You often have headaches. I think you ………… 25. Pam …………… have set the alarm clock since
visit a neurologist. she had the day off.
a) may b) can c) should a) mustn’t b) can’t c) needn’t
10. There are some black clouds in the sky. It 26. Paul asked me to check the exercises. He thought I
…………… rain this evening. …………… have made a mistake.
a) must b) may c) ought to a) might b) can c) should
11. The children ………… have finished their 27. Mrs Black will get angry. I …………… have
homework by the time we get home, but I’m not sure. written the history essay last weekend.
a) aren’t able to b) have to c) might a) must b) should c) may
12. Most children ………… wear school uniforms in 28. I ………… take a bus to school; I go there on foot
private schools. every day.
a) might b) must c) can a) mustn’t b) needn’t c) shouldn’t
13. Why didn’t you phone Paul? He ………… have 29. A. “I like the new TV series!” B. “Are you
given a lift to the airport yesterday. kidding? You …………… like it; it’s the worst
a) can b) ought to c) could programme on TV”.
14. A. “Isn’t that John over there?” B. “It ……… be a) needn’t b) mustn’t c) can’t
John, he’s at work now.” 30. Be careful with the knife! It’s very sharp, you
a) mustn’t b) can’t c) shouldn’t ………… cut your finger.
a) should b) may c) need to
1. Paul……………… be at home; he always works
until 9 p.m. 15. The new student ……… be German, he doesn’t
a) can’t b) mustn’t c) can speak German fluently.
2. My sister …………… come back from London a) shouldn’t b) mustn’t c) can’t
tonight, but I’m not sure. 16. Someone’s knocking at the door. It …………… be
a) may b) ought to c) must James; he said he’ come round today.
3. Carl …………… speak a word of English before a) ought to b) must c) can’t
travelling to Britain. 17. You …………… buy a dictionary; there are a lot
a) can’t b) wasn’t able to c) wasn’t allowed to in class.
4. Mary ………… have forgotten our appointment. a) may not b) mustn’t c) needn’t
Why isn’t she here? 18. People ………… fasten seat belts when travelling
a) can b) must c) may by car.
5. …………… I use your phone, please? a) must b) can c) should
a) Must b) Should c) May 19. Dad is taking a nap; you ………… make so much
6. You ………… have told us about Sue’s divorce. noise, children.
We made such insensitive comments on her husband! a) mustn’t b) might not c) needn’t
a) shouldn’t b) should c) mustn’t 20. We’ve run out of coffee. We ………… get some
7. My son has always been a clever boy; he ……… tomorrow.
read when he was three. a) may b) must c) might
a) could b) might c) may 21. You ………… better go home now, it’s getting
8. I’m afraid I ……………… go out tonight, I ……… dark.
work late. a) would b) should c) had
a) can’t/ can b) can’t/ have to c) can’t/ should 22. You ……………… have eaten the chocolate cake,
9. You often have headaches. I think you ………… children! It was for dad’s party.
visit a neurologist. a) can’t b) might not c) mustn’t
a) may b) can c) should 23. A. “Why is Sue late for work?” B. “Her train
10. There are some black clouds in the sky. It …………… have been delayed due to the strike”.
…………… rain this evening. a) can’t b) ought to d) might
a) must b) may c) ought to 24. You …………… bring anything; we’ve bought
11. The children ………… have finished their everything for dinner.
homework by the time we get home, but I’m not sure. a) have not to b) may not c) don’t need to
a) aren’t able to b) have to c) might 25. Pam …………… have set the alarm clock since
12. Most children ………… wear school uniforms in she had the day off.
private schools. a) mustn’t b) can’t c) needn’t
a) might b) must c) can 26. Paul asked me to check the exercises. He thought I
13. Why didn’t you phone Paul? He ………… have …………… have made a mistake.
given a lift to the airport yesterday. a) might b) can c) should
a) can b) ought to c) could 27. Mrs Black will get angry. I …………… have
14. A. “Isn’t that John over there?” B. “It ……… be written the history essay last weekend.
John, he’s at work now.” a) must b) should c) may
a) mustn’t b) can’t c) shouldn’t 28. I ………… take a bus to school; I go there on foot
every day.
a) mustn’t b) needn’t c) shouldn’t
29. A. “I like the new TV series!” B. “Are you
kidding? You …………… like it; it’s the worst
programme on TV!”
a) needn’t b) mustn’t c) can’t
30. Be careful with the knife! It’s very sharp, you
………… cut your finger.
a) should b) may c) need to