modals

Q1. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary indicating permission. “You _____ eat solid food once his reports are normal,” said the doctor.

• 1) May
• 2) Must
• 3) Would
• 4) Should

Solution

“You may eat solid food once his reports are normal,” said the doctor.

Q2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals.   He said that the next meeting _____ be postponed if the curfew continues. He felt that the management ____ surely understand that the security of the employees is the prime concern. 

Solution

He said that the next meeting may be postponed if the curfew continues. He felt that the management will surely understand that the security of the employees is the prime concern.  

Q3. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary showing advice. Ritika said to Kavita, “You ______ go and meet your ailing grandfather as soon as possible.”

• 1) Might
• 2) Would
• 3) Should
• 4) Shall

Solution

Ritika said to Kavita, “You should go and meet your ailing grandfather as soon as possible.”

Q4. Identify the modals in the following passage and state their functions. You can leave half an hour early from the class today. The roads outside the school will be blocked for election campaigning in the evening. If you don’t leave early, you might get stuck in traffic.

Solution

Can - Permission   Will - Future certainty  Might - Future probability 

Q5. Identify the modals in the following passage and state their functions. Reeva would wait outside her toddler’s school all day. Suraj could not spend time with strangers, and his teachers had asked Reeva to wait in the school premises fearing that Suraj might panic and search for his mother.

Solution

Would - Past habit Could not - Inability Might - Possibility/assumption

Q6. Replace the underlined word with a modal auxiliary showing necessity.   David needs to rush to the airport to catch his flight on time.

• 1) Might
• 2) Shall
• 3) Must
• 4) Would

Solution

David must rush to the airport to catch his flight on time.

Q7. What is the function of the underlined modals in the sentences? You can use a ruler to draw lines. You can use my ruler for today’s class. You can find the ruler in the pencil box on the table.   Can I borrow your ruler for today?

• 1) Possibility, request, ability, permission
• 2) Permission, ability, request, possibility
• 3) Ability, permission, possibility, request
• 4) Request, possibility, ability, permission

Solution

You can use a ruler to draw lines. (Ability) You can use my ruler for today’s class. (Permission) You can find the ruler in the pencil box on the table. (Possibility) Can I borrow your ruler for today? (Request)

Q8. Identify the modals in the passage and state their functions.   It is inappropriate to hit children. Parents should learn to be patient and friendly with their children. This might help them win their child’s confidence. The child will not resort to hostility if he is understood by his family.

Solution

Should - Advice/suggestion Might - Possibility Will not - Certainty

Q9. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary indicating necessity. Rahul _____ submit a letter authorising him to collect Samir’s mark sheet.

• 1) Will
• 2) Would
• 3) Can
• 4) Must

Solution

Rahul must submit a letter authorising him to collect Samir’s mark sheet.

Q10. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary showing certainty. I _______ have submitted the cheque to the bank in the morning.  

• 1) Would  
• 2) Should  
• 3) Will  
• 4) May

Solution

I will have submitted the cheque to the bank in the morning. 

Q11. Identify the modals in the passage and state their functions.   You shouldn’t be fasting if you are on medication. It may affect your ability to recover from illness. The doctor must have already told you that insufficient nutrition delays convalescence.

Solution

Shouldn’t - Advice/suggestion May - Possibility Must - Certainty

Q12. What is the function of the underlined modals in the sentences?   Shall I get you something to eat? Shall we go to the exhibition tomorrow? If you don’t stop talking right now, I will make you stand outside the class. The parcel will arrive tomorrow by noon.

• 1) Certainty, offer, warning, request
• 2) Warning, request, certainty, offer
• 3) Request, warning, offer, certainty
• 4) Offer, request, warning, certainty

Solution

Shall I get you something to eat? (Offer) Shall we go to the exhibition tomorrow? (Request) If you don’t stop talking right now, I will make you stand outside the class. (Warning) The parcel will arrive tomorrow by noon. (Certainty)

Q13. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary showing past probability. We ______ have reached the venue on time if the car had not broken down.

• 1) Could
• 2) Should
• 3) Will
• 4) May

Solution

We could have reached the venue on time if the car had not broken down.

Q14. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary showing certainty.   If computers are used in poorly lit places, users ____ suffer from headaches.

• 1) Ought
• 2) Will
• 3) Would
• 4) Must

Solution

If computers are used in poorly lit places, users will suffer from headaches.

Q15. What is the function of the underlined modals in the sentences?   The juniors must obey the orders of their seniors. She must go to the doctor to treat her infection. You must not skip breakfast in the morning. Shruti must be in her study or in the garden.  

• 1) Assumption, compulsion, obligation, advice
• 2) Advice, assumption, compulsion, obligation
• 3) Compulsion, advice, obligation, assumption
• 4) Obligation, compulsion, advice, assumption

Solution

The juniors must obey the orders of their seniors. (Obligation) She must go to the doctor to treat her infection. (Compulsion) You must not skip breakfast in the morning. (Advice) Shruti must be in her study or in the garden. (Assumption)

Q16. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary showing possibility. She _____ be in the library, but I am not sure if she has your book. 

• 1) Should
• 2) Can
• 3) Shall
• 4) May

Solution

She may be in the library, but I am not sure if she has your book. 

Q17. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals. You ____not argue with Farhan from the senior class. Farhan is a bully and teachers ____take any action on him because his father is the trustee of the school. You ____stay away from him.

Solution

You dare not argue with Farhan from the senior class. Farhan is a bully and teachers cannot take any action on him because his father is the trustee of the school. You should stay away from him.

Q18. What is the function of the underlined modals in the sentences?   Ravi would sit for hours reading his favourite book. Would you open the door for me? I would like to take you to the museum. I would buy an island if I win a jackpot.

• 1) Request, habit, wish, imaginary condition
• 2) Wish, request, imaginary condition, habit
• 3) Habit, request, wish, imaginary condition
• 4) Imaginary condition, request, wish, habit

Solution

Ravi would sit for hours reading his favourite author.  (Habit) Would you open the door for me? (Request) I would like to take you to the museum. (Wish) I would buy an island if I win a jackpot. (Imaginary condition)

Q19. Choose the correct alternative.  Trisha (would, should, can) walk 2 kilometres every morning when she was a teenager. She (would, should, must) return to her routine if she wants her health back.

Solution

Trisha would walk 2 kilometres every morning when she was a teenager. She should return to her routine if she wants her health back.

Q20. Identify the modals in the following passage and state their functions. Ritika should practice for extra hours on Sundays if she wants to qualify for the semi-finals. She can do better than what she is presently doing and must listen to her coach and well wishers.

Solution

Should - Advice Can - Ability Must - Necessity

Q21. Fill in the blank with a modal auxiliary indicating duty. You _______ to serve the country like your father did years ago.

• 1) Can
• 2) Shall
• 3) Must
• 4) Ought

Solution

You ought to serve the country like your father did years ago.

Q22. Choose the correct alternative.  The priest (must, ought, can) be in the chapel as I saw him going there. You (should, will, might) wait here for him to return.

Solution

The priest must be in the chapel as I saw him going there. You should wait here for him to return.

Q23. Replace the underlined word with a modal auxiliary showing permission. You are allowed to borrow your partner’s stationery.

• 1) Might
• 2) Should
• 3) Couldn’t
• 4) Can

Solution

You can borrow your partner’s stationery.

Q24. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals.   The Japanese delegates _______ (necessity) get to stay in the best hotel in the town. Please ensure that their food preferences are taken into account. The administrator in charge of the delegation has said that sushi ______ (certainty) be one of the food items on the menu. 

Solution

The Japanese delegates must get to stay in the best hotel in the town. Please ensure that their food preferences are taken into account. The administrator in charge of the delegation has said that sushi will be one of the food items on the menu.

Q25. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals.   She ____be allowed to exit the hall before time owing to her health problems. However, she ____inform the examiner in advance and ____submit a medical certificate in the office.

Solution

She might/may be allowed to exit the hall before time owing to her health problems. However, she must inform the examiner in advance and should submit a medical certificate in the office.

Q26. Choose the correct alternative. He (dare, would, will) not pay unless he is compelled.

Solution

He will not pay unless he is compelled.

Q27. Choose the correct alternative. (Can, Would, Should) you like another cup of tea?

Solution

Would you like another cup of tea?

Q28. What is the function of the underlined modals in the sentences?   The store may offer a discount next week. You may leave my cabin now. May God bless the bride and groom! He is working hard so that he may get the scholarship.

• 1) Possibility, permission, wish, purpose
• 2) Purpose, wish, permission, possibility
• 3) Wish, purpose, permission, possibility
• 4) Permission, possibility, wish, purpose

Solution

The store may offer a discount next week. (Possibility) You may leave my cabin now. (Permission) May God bless the bride and groom! (Wish) He is working hard so that he may get the scholarship. (Purpose)

Q29. Identify the modals in the passage and state their functions.   Must you talk in the middle all the time? I am sure you can keep quiet when others are expressing their opinion. You will be allowed to voice your opinion at the end of the discussion.

Solution

Must - Necessity Can - Ability Will - Permission/certainty 

Q30. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals.   The oldest employee of the company ____ lay the foundation stone of the new office. Mr Raman ____ have been the strictest boss, but he has also been kind and compassionate to all his employees.

Solution

The oldest employee of the company will lay the foundation stone of the new office. Mr Raman may have been the strictest boss, but he has also been kind and compassionate to all his employees.