UNIT 3: MODAL VERBS

1) Choose the correct answer:

They may / should / must arrive this afternoon. Ill know for certain in an hour.
Everybody ought to / has to / may attend the meeting. It is extremely important
that everyone is there.
He couldnt / didnt have to / mustnt repair the flat tyre himself because he
didnt have any tools.
You dont have to / cant / mustnt return my car with an empty petrol tank.
We cant / mustnt / neednt sit outside. Would you prefer a table inside instead?
You cant / are able to / should ask Karen for help. She understands maths
problems like these.
May / Must / Should I have a glass of wine, please?
Look that cat is bleeding! It should / can / must be hurt.
You dont have to / mustnt / cant speak French when youre in France, but it
helps.
It has to / must / might be cold later. I think we should take our jackets.

2) Rewrite the following sentences using the modals in brackets:

You are not allowed to smoke here. (mustnt)

It wasnt possible for Eric to call last night. (couldnt)

Perhaps Ill go out later. (might)

It is necessary for Debbie to study all day tomorrow. (has to)

Jessica doesnt know how to cook. (cant)

Im sure thats not Karen. (cant be)

Is it possible for dogs to swim? (can)

I advise you to speak to Julie. (should)

Its a good idea to consult a doctor when you are ill. (ought to)

3) Choose the sentence which is nearest in meaning to the original:

 I must remember to thank Mary for all help. I cant finish the project without
her / I couldnt have finished the project without her.
Dave needs to be at the airport in an hour. Could you take him there? / Could
you have taken him there?
You should apologise to Daniel. You may hurt his feelings / You hurt his feelings.
Ellen looks exhausted. She could have gone to sleep late / She must have gone to
sleep late.
I cant unlock the door. I must have found my key / I have to find my key.
You shouldnt have waited so long to tell me. I ought to receive the
information / I needed the information last week.
This restaurant is very popular. We should have reserved a table in advance.
Now well have to wait a long time to get a seat / We may have waited a long
time to get a seat.
Im very upset! We shouldnt have left so late. We dont have to arrive on time /
We dont be able to get there on time.
My bag was under my chair. Where is it? Someone must have stolen it / someone
must steal it.
Should I wear the white shirt or the brown one? You ought to wear the white
one / You should have worn the white one.

4) Rewrite each sentence using the modal perfect in brackets:

It was wrong of Cindy to tell everyone Barbaras secret. (shouldnt have)

I expected you to call me on my birthday. (should have)

It is possible that Caroline went out for lunch. (might have)

I am certain that my watch stopped a few hours ago. (must have)

Perhaps Tim phoned while we were out. (may have)

I am sure you didnt see Jim last week, because he was on holiday. (couldnt
have)

Laura doesnt like the jeans she bought. (shouldnt have)

Sam is sorry that he didnt listen to his friends. (should have)

Everyone went by bus, but I decided to walk. (could have)