Modals Worksheet 1
Fill in the blanks using the appropriate modals:
1. We _____________ obey our teachers. (has to, must)
2. She _____________ pass this time, she has worked very hard. (ought to, had
to)
3. He _____________ not buy a car. (has to, need)
4. He works hard, lest he ____________ fail. (should, must)
5. Do you _____________ cook your own meals? (should, have to)
6. The villagers ______________ use kerosene lamps a few years ago. (must,
had to)
7. She _____________ finish this work before I go. (should, must)
8. Ramesh said that they _____________ report for duty on Monday. (should,
ought)
9. We _____________ prepare our lessons well before examination. (ought to,
must to)
10. She _____________ to have taken the money. (ought, must)
11. ______________ touch your toes without bending your knees? (can, should)
12. ______________ I leave now? (would, must)
13. It ____________ rain tonight. (might, can)
14.He ___________ be sick; his eyes are red and watery. (may, must)
15.You _____________ not drive after drinking. (should, must)
16. ______________ you like to have a glass of milk? (will, would)
17. If you know what’s good for you, you ____________ give up smoking.
(should, will)
18.You don’t ____________ to get an X-ray. (ought, need)
19.He _____________ have been in a lot of pain. (will, must)
20.We _____________ eat a lot of sugar, but we don’t anymore. (would, used
to)
Write the missing word in each sentence. Choose from the
modal verbs in the box below.
will must should can may could might
1. You may borrow the books in this section of the library. (can is also
acceptable. Discuss.)
2. To apply for financial aid, you must fill out an application form.
3. We might need to get some milk on the way home. (may is also
acceptable. Discuss.)
4. Students should stay home if they have the flu. (must is also
acceptable. Discuss.)
5. You can leave your coats on the bed in the other room. (may is also
acceptable)
6. You will clean up your room before you go outside. (should and must
are also acceptable. Discuss)
7. He may take a biology class in the spring. (must and will are also
acceptable. Discuss.)
8. I think you should wear your blue shirt with those pants.
9. You could fix those shoes with some shoe glue.
10. You might want to try on some of the salad.
11. You could see if the book is available on-line. (might and should are
also acceptable. Discuss)
12. You can make a copy of this document.
13. You will be nice to your little brother. (must and should are also
acceptable. Discuss.)
14. You must have automobile insurance to drive a car in California.
Complete the following conversations using appropriate
modal verbs:
1. Manish: I (a) _must___ do practice of wrestling every day.
Rashid: But you (b) _should__ not overexert yourself.
Manish: I (c) _have to___ win the upcoming competition at any cost.
Rashid: You (d) _ought__ to remember that our health takes priority
over other things.
Oh yes! You _need not___ worry. I am careful about my health.
2. Mediator: Mr. Kapoor (a) __ought/needs/has___ to pay the debt he owes
to Mr. Mehra, otherwise Mr. Mehra (b) ___will____ inform the police. The
committee feels that Mr. Kapoor (c) _must__ return the money at the
earliest possible. In fact, he (d) __should not__ have borrowed the
money in the first place, as he himself comes from a well-off family and
(e) __could have/should have__ asked for their help instead.
Q4. Rewrite the sentences using a modal verb:
1. I’m sure he is a basketball player.
___He must be a basketball player.
2. Perhaps he is a basketball player.
He might be a basketball player.
3. Perhaps he isn’t a basketball player.
He may not/might not be a basketball player.
4. I’m sure he isn’t a basketball player.
He must not/can not be a basketball player.
5. I’m sure she has got a Porsche.
She must have a Porsche.
6. Perhaps she has got a Porsche.
She may/might have a Porsche.
7. Perhaps she hasn’t got a Porsche.
She might not/may not have a Porsche.
8. I am sure she hasn’t got a Porsche.
She must not/can not have a Porsche.
