Practice Set(Exercise) with answers - Modals

Practice Set(Exercise) with answers - Modals

 A. Complete these sentences using appropriate modals. The clues in the brackets 

will help you

1. When I was a child, I ___ climb trees easily but now I can’t. (ability in the past) 

Ans: used to

2. I ___ win the singing contest. (determination) 

Ans: will

3. You ___ buy this book. It is worth buying (advice or suggestion) 

Ans: ought to

4. Poongothai ___ speak several languages. (ability in the present) 

Ans: can

5. I swear I ___ tell lies again (promise) 

Ans: won’t

6. My father ___ play badminton in the evening when he was at college (past habit) 

Ans: used to

7. You ___ do as I say! (command) 

Ans: must

8. ___ I have another glass of water? (request) 

Ans: Could

9. Sibi has not practised hard but he___win the race (possibility) 

Ans: May

10. We ___ preserve our natural resources (duty) 

Ans: ought to

B. Rewrite the following sentences by rectifying the errors in the use of modals. 

1. Would I have your autograph?

Ans: May I have your autograph?

2. I can be fifteen next April.

Ans: I shall be fifteen next April

3. Take an umbrella. It should rain later.

Ans: Take an umbrella. It may rain later

4. The Magistrate ordered that he might 

pay the fine.

Ans: The Magistrate ordered that he 

should / must pay the fine.

5. Make me a cup of tea, shall you?

Ans: Make me a cup of tea, will / could you?

6. You may speak politely to others.

Ans: You ought to speak politely 

to others.

7. You will get your teeth cleaned at least 

once a year.

Ans: You should get your teeth cleaned 

once a year.

8. We could grow vegetables in our Kitchen 

garden but we don’t do it now.

Ans: We used to grow vegetables in our 

kitchen garden but we don’t do it now.

9. Must I get your jacket? The weather is

cold.

Ans: Could I get your jacket? The weather is 

cold.

10. Could the train be on time?

Ans: Will the train be on time?

C. Read the dialogue and fill in the blanks with suitable modals.

Dad : Shall we go out for dinner tonight?

Charan : Yes, Dad. We shall go to a restaurant where I can have some ice cream.

Dad : OK. Then I shall be home by 7 p.m. Mom and you must / should be ready then.

Charan : Sure, we shall. My friend told me that there is a magic show nearby. Could you please take 

us there?

Dad : We may not have time to go for the magic show, I suppose. If we have enough 

time left, we shall plan.

Charan : By the way, should / must we inform our gate keeper about our outing.

Dad : Yes, we should / must so that he will be aware we aren’t at home.

Charan : Shall I call up Mom and tell her about our plan today?

Dad : You need to. Otherwise, we might be in trouble when she returns home.

Charan : Hmm... by the time you come home in the evening, we shall be waiting for you. 

Hope you won’t be late. Bye.

D. Read the following dialogues and supply appropriate modals.

Student : Can we leave our bags in the class during the break?

Teacher : Yes, You may but arrange them neatly

Passenger : My child is 6 years old. Do I have to buy him a ticket?

Conductor : Yes, You must. It costs half of the price of an adult ticket.

Vani : Can we go for coffee after the meeting?

Yoga : No, I can’t / shan't. I have to go home.

Salesman : When shall I receive my order?

Customer : I shall assure you sir, the order will be delivered tomorrow.

Neela : Do you think, I should write about my education background in the resume?

Preethi : Yes, you should / must. You may get a better job.