MODAL VERBS

Exercise 1. Choose the best answer.

1. We _____ open the lion's cage. It is contrary to Zoo regulations.
A. must
B. mustn't
C. needn't
D. should
2. This medicine _____ after meals.
A. should take
B. is taking
C. has taken
D. should be taken
3. The office photocopier needs _____.
A. to fix
B. to be fixed
C. fixes
D. fixed
4. We _____ drive fast; we have plenty of time.
A. can't
B. needn't
C. mustn't
D. oughtn't
5. 'He is back already.' 'He _____ very early.'
A. should have started
B. must have started
C. shouldn't have started
D. can't have started
6. We expected that our team _____ the game.
A. will win
B. can win
C. would win
D. will be winning
7. There is plenty of money in our account so those cheques _____ to the bank today.
A. needn't be taken
B. needn't be taking
C. needn't take
D. needn't taking
8. The picnic _____ because Peter has just had a traffic accident.
A. will cancel
B. will be cancelling
C. will be cancelled
D. will have cancelled
9. The room is too dirty. It _____ now.
A. should clean
B. should have cleaned
C. should be being cleaned D. should be cleaning
10. I _____ arrive on time, so please start dinner without me.
A. could
B. may
C. may not
D. should
11. "_____ you hand that book, please?" ~ "Sure. Here it is."
A. Could
B. Should
C. Must
D. May
12. You _____ clean the windows. The window-cleaner is coming.
A. don't have
B. must
C. mustn't
D. needn't
13. She _____ be ill. I have just seen her playing basket ball in the school yard.
A. needn't
B. shouldn't
C. mustn't
D. can't
14. Hiking the trail to the peak _____ be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You
_____ research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.
A. might / can
B. may / mustn't
C. can / should
D. must / needn't
15. Peter has been working for 10 hours. He _____ be very tired now.
A. needn't
B. must
C. has to
D. should
16. He is unreliable. What he says _____ be believed.
A. cannot
B. must not
C. may not
D. might not
17. I _____ find my own way there. You _____ wait for me.
A. should / can't
B. have to / must
C. can / needn't
D. might / mustn't
18. Those letters _____ now. You can do the typing later.
A. need typing
B. needn't be typed
C. need to type
D. needn't typing
19. The museum is open to everybody. It _____ between 9am and 5pm.
A. visits
B. visited
C. can visit
D. can be visited
20. The train _____ by bad weather. I am not sure.
A. might delay
B. might be delaying
C. might have delayed
D. might have been delayed
21. The room _____ once a day.
A. should clean
B. should be cleaning
C. should be cleaned
D. should have cleaned
22. Two tablets _____ twice a day to have you recover from the illness quickly.
A. must take
B. must be taken
C. must have taken
D. must be taking
23. Theresa walked past me without saying a word. She _____ me.
A. can't see
B. can't have seen
C. can be seen
D. can't have been seen
24. I think the match _____. Everybody's gone into the stadium and you can hear them cheering.

A. was started
B. will be started
C. must started
D. must have started
25. We found the exam extremely easy. We ______ so hard.
A. needn't study
B. needn't have been studied C. needn't be studying
D. needn't have studied
26. With only one more week, he _____ better prepared for the concert last Saturday.
A. could have
B. could be
C. could have been
D. could well be
27. "Beth got another speeding ticket yesterday." ~ "Oh? That's not good. She _____ be more careful. She'll end up
in serious trouble if she gets any more."
A. would rather
B. will
C. ought to
D. may
28. Daniel _____ the bus. It doesnt run on Sundays.
A. may not have caught B. was supposed to catch
C. caught
D. couldnt have caught
29. The situation _____ to continue.
A. cannot allow
B. cannot be allowed
C. cannot have allowed
D. cannot be allowing
30. The machine _____ on by pressing this switch.
A. can turn
B. can be turned
C. must turn
D. should be turning
31. Everybody agrees that no more staff _____.
A. should employ
B. should not be employed C. will not be employed
D. will he employed
32. Things _____ clear to them so that they can do the work in the way that you have told them.
A. are making
B. ought to be made
C. have made
D. needn't be made
33. I was reading the book last night before I went to bed. I never took it out of this room. It _____ be lying around
here somewhere. Where _____ it be?
A. might / needn't
B. can / should
C. shouldn't / may
D. must / can
34. When you have a small child in the house, you _____ leave small objects lying around. Such objects _____ be
swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.
A. should / must
B. mustn't / can't
C. needn't / may
D. should not / might
35. Frank's wallet is lying on the coffee table. He _____ it here last night.
A. must have left
B. should have left
C. must be leaving
D. needn't leave
36. Cigarettes _____ at a bakery.
A. most buy
B. cannot buy
C. should not buy
D. cannot be bought
37. The next meeting _____ in May.
A. will hold
B. will be held
C. will be holding
D. will have held
38. _____ in simpler words?
A. Has this issue expressed
B. Can't this issue express
C. Can this issue express
D. Couldn't this issue be expressed
39. All traffic laws _____.
A. is observed
B. must be observed
C. must have observed
D. had better observe
40. Tomatoes _____ before they are completely ripe.
A. can pick
B. can be picked
C. needn't pick
D. should be picking
Exercise 2. Change the following sentences into passive voice.
1. They cant find him at home for he is always on the move.
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2. Youve only spent five minutes on that job. You cant have done it properly.
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3. We must take good care of our teeth.
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4. You must clean the wall before you paint it.
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5. They shouldnt have told him.
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6. They could find the lost boy nowhere.
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7. I will repair the sewing machine.
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8. You might have left your keys at work.
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9. Someone should tell Sally what had happened. ...............................................................................................
10. They may send the man to prison.
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