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