Oxford English Grammar Course Advanced •

TEST 5 • modal verbs

Name

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1 Ability: can and could. Correct the mistakes using succeed, manage, can or be able in your answers,
or write ‘Correct’.
The group of climbers could reach the top of Everest after a long climb succeeded in reaching or
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managed to reach
As a student I could speak Russian very well, now I've forgotten most of it. Correct
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1 She couldn’t hear what I was saying because the music was so loud in the club.
2 After a very busy year, Peter could double his company’s profits.
3 ‘We need to get some petrol.’ ‘OK, I can get some later.’
4 I can speak Japanese at the end of this course.
5 I’m tasting sugar in this coffee.
6 How much golf could you play at the weekend?

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2 Permission: can, could, may and might. Correct (✓) or not (✗)?
When I was a child I could do whatever I liked, really. ✓
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1 May you get married without parental permission when you’re 16 in Scotland?
2 Sorry, you can’t use the car today, I need it.
3 ‘Excuse me, may I ask you a question?’ ‘Yes, of course you might.’
4 Could I possibly ask you a favour?
5 You can collect your online order from a local shop.
6 I’m expecting a phone call, so I couldn’t go out.

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3 Obligation: must and have (got) to; should and ought to. Choose the best way(s) to complete each sentence:
A, B or both.
Well, thanks for a great evening. We really get going now. A have to B must
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1 I really change the details on my driving licence – the name is wrong! A must B should
2 I’m sorry sir, I see some proof of identity to open an account for you. A must B have to
3 When you play rugby, you pass the ball forwards. It’s against the rules. A must not B don’t have to
4 ‘I’m taking a long trip to Australia next year.’ ‘That be an incredible experience.’ A must B should
5 It’s no good, I go back – I think I’ve left the cooker on! A ’ll have to B should

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4 Certainty: must, can’t, will and should. Circle the best form to complete each sentence.
1 They’ve bought another brand new car. They must / should have plenty of money.
2 Someone from management must / should be here – the meeting starts in five minutes.
3 The food there must / should be good – they won an award recently.
4 ‘Did you hear the doorbell?’ ‘Oh, that ’ll / should be the postman.
5 We need to hurry up as they ’ll / should be worrying about where we are.
6 Pete mustn’t / can’t be coming tonight – he’s on holiday.

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5 Probability and possibility: may, might, can and could. Choose the best way to complete each sentence.
1 He be the fastest player on the pitch, but he’s certainly effective. (may not / can’t)
2 Sperm whales dive to 3000m below the surface of the sea. (may / can)
3 Well, we can try calling her, but she want to speak to you. (may not / can’t)
4 We have drunk all the milk – we had loads in the fridge this morning. (may not / can’t)
5 the best man win. (May / Might)
6 It rain later, but it’s not very likely. (can / could)

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Oxford English Grammar Course • Advanced TEST 5 • modal verbs   © Michael Swan and Catherine Walter PHOTOCOPIABLE
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6 may have gone, should have told etc. Choose the best answers to the questions.
1 I must have left my keys at home. Did I leave my keys at home? yes no probably
2 He needn’t have driven so fast because we got there too early. Did he drive fast? yes no maybe
3 I’m not surprised they got lost. They should have taken a map. Did they take a map? yes no maybe
4 Jenny oughtn’t to have told anyone about Tom’s news. Did she tell someone? yes no maybe
5 You could have told me you’d invited her for dinner - I would have had a shave. Did you tell me? yes no maybe
6 If he’d been better prepared he would have passed the exam. Did he pass the exam? yes no maybe

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7 had better. Correct (✓) or not (✗)?
1 You’d better buy me a new CD for my birthday.
2 I’d better have a shave before the interview – I look so scruffy.
3 That leg looks sore – you’d better make an appointment to see the doctor.
4 Everybody had better do more exercise.
5 We’d better go – it looks like they’re closing.
6 You’d better give me a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs, please.

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8 will and would: willingness; typical behaviour. Rewrite the sentences using will, won’t or would.
1 If you eat so much chocolate, it’s not surprising you feel sick.
2 This computer refuses to open these documents.
3 Follow me, please.
4 The company isn’t willing to increase our pay.
5 On Saturdays the family always went to the football.
6 Her parents always help with the kids if we need them.

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9 used to. Choose the best way(s) to complete each sentence: A, B or both.
1 During the summer holidays we head off to the coast for a few weeks. A used to B would
2 He play the drums in a jazz band. A used to B would
3 I ride a Triumph motorbike – it was a fantastic piece of machinery. A used to B would
4 Many years ago, the people around here travel on skis during the winter months. A used to B would
5 He didn’t like spicy food, but he’s tried Thai, and quite enjoys it. A used to B use to
6 Your mother say things like that; she was a very funny woman. A used to B would

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10 need. Correct (✓) or not (✗)?
1 Do you need me to pay for this?
2 Need we call her to say we’re coming?
3 When need you this report?
4 She needn’t had bothered coming – it was such a poor performance.
5 I really think you need to drink something.
6 Let him know he need phone me about that job offer.

Oxford English Grammar Course • Advanced TEST 5 • modal verbs   © Michael Swan and Catherine Walter PHOTOCOPIABLE