1 Complete the sentences with can / can’t / could / couldn’t:
a. I’m afraid I can’t come to your party next week.
b. When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He _________________ run 100 metres in 11 seconds.
c. I was feeling sick yesterday. I _________________ eat anything.
d. Can you speak up a bit? I ____________________hear you very well.
e. ___________________ you please help me wash the car?
f. Jessica _____________________ speak French and also Italian.
g. She ______________ finish painting the room by tomorrow. She’s too busy.
h. We ________________ sleep. You are making too much noise.
i. In my country you ______________ get married when you are 16. It’s illegal.
j. Last night I ___________ get into my house because I had forgotten my key.
2 Choose the correct answer.
1. It was snowing so we can / had to / must wear our coats.
2. When I saw him, I might not / can’t / couldn’t remember his name.
3. We might / should / must have an exam tomorrow, but I’m not certain.
4. Hurry up! We could / need to / may leave now.
5. My mum often says, “You may not / couldn’t / mustn’t talk with food in your mouth.”
6. I am so tired that I can’t / mustn’t / shouldn’t think clearly.
7. Jean’s ahead of all the runners. It looks like she should / must / might win the race!
8. Alex has to / can / might be at the meeting tonight. He is giving a speech.
9. Charlotte doesn’t have to / shouldn’t / can’t tease her sister because it hurts her feelings.
3 Complete the sentences with the affirmative or negative of the modal form of the words below.
should buy • can meet • need cook • may start • must call
1. I ……………………… Lucy and invite her or she will be insulted.
2. You ……………………… your tickets an hour before the film begins.
3. James ……………………… us in the park because he’s got a doctor’s appointment.
4. The show ……………………… late because they’re expecting a large crowd.
5. We’re having dinner at a restaurant. You ……………………… a meal for us.
4 Choose the correct answer.
1. John … leave at eight o’clock because he has to catch the train.
a. might b. must c. may
2. You … help your sister in the kitchen. Mum wants you to do it.
a. may b. can c. ought to
3. In the past, people … travel long distances quickly.
a. couldn’t b. shouldn’t c. didn’t have to
4. … I close the window? I’m cold.
a. Must b. May c. Should
5. The doctor says that Bram … go to school. The other children will get ill.
a. mustn’t b. might not c. couldn’t
6. Oliver … speak French, English and Spanish.
a. ought to b. must c. can
5 Complete the sentences with modals that fit the categories in brackets. There may be more than one possible
answer.
1. It’s a formal dinner. You …………………… wear your good suit. (obligation)
2. …………………… you check the information on the Internet? (ability)
3. …………………… I have the car on Saturday night? (permission)
4. The last train leaves at 22:00. We …………………… be at the station by 21:50. (necessity)
5. We …………………… go on a picnic because there is a possibility of rain. (possibility)
6. Do you want my advice? You …………………… apologise to your brother. (advice)
6 Choose the correct answer:
1. The doctor says I might / must get more exercise.
2. You look great in brown. You should / can wear it more often.
3. His arm is broken, so he isn’t able to / may not write
4. Tomorrow is a holiday. We mustn’t / don’t have to get up early.
5. When you are on a diet, you ought to / could drink a lot of water.
6. He stopped the car, so he should / could rest for a while.
7 Choose the correct continuation
1. You may borrow the book
a. I’ve finished reading it
b. It’s a good idea
2. Greg shouldn’t marry Katie.
a. She’s already married
b. He doesn’t love her
3. She mustn’t drive home.
a. She drank beer at the party
b. Her brother took the car
4. I don’t have to cook dinner.
a. I’ve never learnt to cook
b. We’re going out for a meal
8 Complete with the modal verbs below:
should • can’t • could • may • must
1. You ................ come to us for dinner. I won’t accept no for an answer.
2. ................I have a piece of cake, please?
3. He ................ reach it because he’s not tall enough.
4. You ................ always brush your teeth before you go to bed.
5. I ................ make people laugh when I was young.
8 Replace the words in bold with the words below
needn’t • mustn’t • ought to • have to • might • couldn’t
1. Tess should help her mother
2. I’m not sure, but he may be French
3. In some countries, girls are forbidden to show their faces in public
4. You don’t have to explain it
5. You must be careful not to offend him
6. I’m sorry we weren’t able to come
9. Write sentences with the words below.
1. because it’s forbidden / mustn’t / You / walk / on the grass
2. later / arrive / may / She / to / school
3. parents / They / your / help / should
4. the / I / understand / story / couldn’t
5. parents / might / come / Their / home / tomorrow
6. nuts / can’t / is / eat / He / allergic / because / to / he
7. bring / needn’t / you / tonight / anything
8. we / a / must / jacket / wear
9. her / Tom / help / should / maths / sister / with
10 Complete the sentences with the modals below.
couldn’t • shouldn’t • may • can • must • mustn’t
1. You …………………… drive over the speed limit.
2. …………………… I please use the car today?
3. We’re stuck in traffic so we …………………… be late.
4. There’s very little petrol in the car, so you …………………… fill up on the way home.
5. We …………………… hear the announcement because there was so much noise.
6. You …………………… worry. He’s a careful driver.
