Modal verbs: negative forms D) shouldn\'t be

positive negative E) might not be

2. 2. You _____ not come early. I mean, you _____

can (used for can't (cannot)
It can't happen; it's start to work at 10 o’clock.
possibility)
impossible. A) need / should
It can happen;
everything's
B) must / can
possible. C) need / may
can (used for can't (cannot), D) should / might
permission) mustn't E) can / could
Can I smoke here? You can't smoke
∼ Yes, you can. here. You mustn't 3. 3. Why are you wasting time? ou______ your
smoke here.
work already.
can (used for ability) can't (cannot)
I can't play the A) need to have finished
I can play the
guitar. guitar. B) could be finishing
must, have to (used don't have to, C) must be finishing
for obligation) needn't D) should have finished
You must be there You don't have to be E) have to finish
at 8 o'clock. there at 8 o'clock.
You have to be You needn't be there 4. 4. Well, if your pocket’s empty, you______ all
there at 8 o'clock. at 8 o'clock.
your money.
must (used for can't (cannot) A) must have spent
personal opinion, He can't be here – his
B) should have spent
car's not outside.
certainty) C) could spend
He must be here D) had to spend
somewhere – his
E) have to spend
car is outside.
might, may (used may not, might not
He might/may not 5. 5. Sue _____ in Istanbul, but her husband has
for personal opinion,
get here on time – just been appointed there, so she doesn’t have
certainty)
there's a lot of traffic much choice.
He might/may be
on the roads. A) had better not live
late today – there's
a lot of traffic on B) would rather not live
the roads. C) wouldn’t live
should (used for shouldn't (should D) mustn\'t have lived
weak obligation / not) E) hasn\'t lived
You shouldn't smoke
advice)
so much – it's
You should stop 6. 6. He_____ be at home. His car is not in the
unhealthy.
smoking because garage.
it's unhealthy. A) mustn’t
This first gap fill test contains 25 multiple choice B) can’t
questions on the topic of modals of English grammar. C) couldn’t
D) doesn\'t need to / needn’t
1. 1. It _____ our dog which barked continuously all
night, since it was sleeping inside with us. 7. 7. Humans _____ smell about 10.000 scents,
ranging from freshly cut flowers to the aversive
A) can\'t have been smell of an angry skunk.
B) may not have been A) ought to
C) won\'t have been B) must
 C) would D) have to
D) should E) must
E) can
14. 14. I ____ a bit longer for you at the station that
8. 8. I’m sorry I’m late. You _____waiting for a day. I am so sorry!
long time. A) must have waited
A) should have been B) could wait
B) could have been C) might have been waiting
C) need to be D) should have waited
D) must have been E) might have been E) have to be waiting
9. 9. It’s strange that he hasn’t said any more about 15. 15. You _____ find some of the most colourful
his plans to emigrate. He______ his mind about it. people on the bus.
A) should have changed A) must
B) would have changed B) have to
C) must change C) should
D) might have changed D) ought to
E) had to change E) may

10. 10. You ____ a doctor as soon as you _____ this

irritating headache. 16. 16. Jimmy is upstairs. He _____ his homework.
A) should have visited / felt A) must be doing
B) had to visit / feel B) should be doing
C) might visit / felt C) must have done
D) ought to have visited / would feel E) could visit / D) is able to done
feel E) can be doing

11. 11. We _____ flying to Spain now if we had 17. 17. She said it ____ be Tom, he was in the army at
bought tickets in time. that time.
A) should have been A) shan\'t
B) would be B) shouldn’t
C) need to be C) mustn’t
D) must have been E) have been D) may not
E) couldn’t

12. 12. My aunt _____ here tomorrow. She is abroad

until next week. 18. 18. We_____ for the bus for over an hour that
A) can\'t come under heavy rain before it arrived. We have both
B) won’t have to come caught cold.
C) needn’t have come A) mustn’t have waited
D) shouldn’t be coming E) can’t have been coming B) couldn\'t have waited
C) shouldn’t have waited
D) may not be waiting
13. 13. You ____ not open the door on any account E) couldn’t wait
when I’m out.
A) need
B) may 19. 19. I know I ___ the letter earlier today.
C) might A) have had to post
B) need to post C) ought to be getting
C) ought to post D) must have got
D) must have posted E) will have to get
E) could have posted

20. 20. Mother: You ____ wash your hands when you 25. 25. Oh no! Fred's wallet is lying on the coffee
come in. Small Boy: Ok! I _____ wash my hands when table. He _____ it here last night.
I come in. A) had better leave
A) should / need B) might leave
B) may / can C) ought to have left
C) may / need D) should have left
D) will / would E) must have left
E) must / have to

Exercise instructions
21. 21. My diary isn’t in its regular place;
Complete each sentence using one
someone_____ it.
A) must have taken of the following modal verbs:
B) was to have taken can, can’t
C) should have taken must, mustn’t
D) was going to take needn’t
E) would have taken have to, don’t have to.

1 The folder   be on your table – I

22. 22. Not until the quests came in, I ran out of
sugar and I _____ from my neighbour. remember Elizabeth putting it there. 
A) should have borrowed
B) had to borrow 2 You   attend the
C) could borrow meeting if you don't want to; it's not
D) must borrow
obligatory. 
E) need to borrow
3 According to the new rules, all

23. 23. You ____ more pills, you look recovered. employees   attend the
A) can\'t take monthly 'Sales and Results' meeting. 
B) shouldn’t have taken
C) may not have taken 4 An accountant   make
D) needn\'t take
mistakes. 
E) weren’t supposed to take
5 You   be a member
if you want to go to this club: it's open
24. 24. If we have no money to take a taxi,
we______ on the bus. to the public. 
A) should have got
B) were to get
6 We've bought a new photocopier

that   make over 150 copies per

minute. 
7 You   be crazy spending so
much on such an old car. What a waste
of money! 

8 Ideally, I would like the report by the

end of this week, but
you   hurry with it if
you are busy – I can wait. 
9 He wants me to translate an article,

but I   because I don't have

time. 
10 He   be here yet – his car
isn't in the car park and his office door
is locked. 
11 He has health problems and

he   go into hospital every

second month.