MODAL AUXILIARIES 1 PRESENT AND FUTURE: ABILITY, CERTAINTY, OBLIGATION

I. Write what they say using the word given.

1. Tony wants to borrow his friend’s pencil. could
‘…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?’
2. Alex wants to allow her friends to use her dictionary. can
‘…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………’
3. Julie wants permission from her teacher to leave the classroom. may
‘…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?’
4. Lou wants to wear his brother’s new trainers. can
‘…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?’
5. Terry wants to ask her boss for permission to take the day off. could
‘…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?’
6. A teacher wants to give her students five minutes to finish the test. may
‘…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………’
II. Complete the sentences using can, could or the correct form of be able to.
Tim really likes playing chess and he (1)_______________ play very well. When he was 7 years old, he (2)
_______________ play chess. He thinks when he’s older, she’ll (3) _______________ to win the national championship!
Tim has ( 4) _______________ ride a bike since he was 3 years old. He wants to learn to drive when he grows up, though.
When he’s eighteen, he hopes he’ll ( 5) _______________ do his driving test. He ( 6) _______________ drive a car now,
though. It’s against the law.
. Choose the most suitable word or phrase to complete the sentences.
1. There’s someone at the door. It can’t be / must be the post man.
2. Don’t worry, you don’t have to/ mustn’t pay now.
3. I think you had better/ would better take a pullover with you.
4. Jones must be President / could be if Smith has to resign.
5. Sorry, I can’t stay any longer. I have to go/ might go.
6. It was 5 o’clock an hour ago. You must be / mustn’t be right.
7. It’s a school rule, all the pupils have to wear/ must wear uniform.
8. I suppose that our team must win/ should win, but I’m not sure.
9. Let’s tell Diana. She could not/ might not know.
10. In my opinion, the government should do/ might do something about it.
II. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.
Use between two and five words.
1. I think you should give up smoking immediately. (had)
I think you ………………………………………………………….smoking immediately,
2. I expect we will get there by 5,00 if there isn’t too much traffic. (should)
We ………………………………………………………….5,00 if there isn’t too much traffic.
3. Is it necessary for me to bring my passport? ( have)
Do ……………………………………………………my past port?
4. I’m sure that the cat is in the house somewhere. (be)
The cat ……………………………………………in the house somewhere.
5. An aerial is not required with this radio. (have)
You don’t ……………………………………………………………an aerial with this radio.
6. It’s very inconvenient if you can’t drive. (to)
It’s very inconvenient if………………………………………………………..drive.
7. I’m sure that John is not the thief. ( be)
John …………………………………………………..the thief.
8. All students should report to the main hall at 9.00. ( are)
All students …………………………………………………to the main hall at 9,00.
9. I thought that you would know better. ( ought)
You ………………………………………………………………….better!
10. You don’t need to buy me a birthday present. ( necessary)
It ……………………………………..... …………………. me a birthday present.
11. I need to do some work on my project this evening. ( have)
I …………………………………………………………………………... on my project this evening.
12. Students mustn’t run in school buildings. ( allowed)
Running ……………………………………………… in school buildings.
13. It’s kind of you to help, but you really don’t need to. ( is)
Your ……………………………………………………………….necessary .
III. Complete each sentence so that it contains might. might not, must, mustn’t, can’t or can. More than one answer
may be possible.
1. Don’t stand up in the boat. You …………………fall in the river!
2. Sue says she’s struck in the traffic and she ……………………..be late.
3. You really …………………………….start spending more time on your work.
4. Tell Peter he ………………………stay the night here if he wants to.
5. That’s a really stupid idea! You ………………………… be serious, surely!
6. You ………………………….realize it but this is very important to me.
7. We’re not sure but we ……………………………go to Prague for Christmas this year.
8. Me learn to fly! You …………………………………….be joking!
9. Bill cooked the lunch , so you …………………………… expect anything special!
IV. Rewrite the sentence so that it contains can, must, have to, should ( including negative forms)
1. I’m sure that Helen feels really lonely.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. You are not allowed to park here.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. It would be a good idea if Harry took a holiday.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. I’m sure that Brenda isn’t over thirty.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Do I need a different driving license for a motorbike?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. What would you advise me to do?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. You needn’t come with me if you don’t want to.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. It’s possible for any one to break into this house!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. The dentist will see you soon. I don’t think he will be long .
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
V. Rewrite the sentences using the words given.
1. You’re expecting David to ring. The phone rings. must
“It/ that ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
2. Ann is a better runner than Rula. You think Ann will probably win the race tomorrow. should
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
3. A letter arrives. It’s possible that it’s from your cousin, Janice. could
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
4. There’s a nock at the door. Your mum says it might be Colin, but you know Colin is on holiday. can’t
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
5. You see someone wearing a costume. You think there’s a strong probably that she’s going to a fancy- dress party. must
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
6. Your sister is looking for her hair-brush. You think it’s possible that it’s in the living room. might
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
7. You’re waiting for Harriet to arrive. You think she’s probably be there in half an hour. should
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
8. You’re talking about why James seems to be sad. You think it’s possible he’s in trouble at school. could
“………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….”
9. The dog is wet and you are sure that it is raining outside. must
“……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………”