B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

EXERCISE 1. Sentence Completion: Fill in the blanks with correct forms of “have to” and “can”. Pay
attention to negative forms and the tenses of the sentences as well.

1. Last week, we went to a classical music concert. There was a free car park behind the concert hall,
so we ___didn’t have to pay___ (pay) for our cars.
2. If you want to get a good grade, you ____have to do____(do) your assignments regularly.
3. Yesterday I found a good flat near school. However, I ___couldn’t rent____(rent) it because it was
too expensive.
4. Tomorrow is holiday, so I ____don’t have to get up___ (get up) early. I am going to stay in my bed
all day.
5. She looked everywhere, but she ___couldn’t find_____(find) her purse.
6. Yesterday, the students sold their second hand books in the garden, but I ___couldn’t buy___(buy)
any because I didn’t have enough money with me.
7. They were speaking in a low voice, so I ___couldn’t hear____(hear) what they were talking about.
8. I broke my leg yesterday. Now, I __have to stay___(stay) at home because I ___can’t
walk__(walk).
9. Phil ____couldn’t open____ (open) the door because he didn’t have his keys.
10. I know you are a right-handed person. ___Can you write____(you/write) with your left hand?
11. Each student ____has to check____(check) her term work before s/he gives it to the professor.
12. We ____didn’t have to study_____(study) for the exam last night because our teacher cancelled
it.
13. That restaurant is not very popular, so you ____don’t have to reserve____ (reserve) a table for
tonight.
14. Is there a cash machine near here? I ____have to get____(get) some money.
15. “Can I make myself a cup of coffee?” “Of course you ____can_____. You ___don’t have to
ask___(ask).
16. When I was ten years old, I ___could play___(play) the violin well, but now I am out of practice.

EXERCISE 2. Rewrite the following sentences using the underlined words.

1. The teacher postponed the exam yesterday, so it wasn’t necessary for me to study for the exam.
I __didn’t have to study for the exam____.
2. Is it necessary for Susan to clean her room?
___Does Susan have to clean her room_____?
3. It was necessary for all applicants to be in the conference room on time.
All applicants ___had to be in the conference room on time________.
4. Was it necessary for you to go to school on foot?
___Did you have to go to school on foot________?
5. I was able to play the guitar when I was 11.
I __could play the guitar when I was 11___.
6. I know how to ride a bike.
I ___can ride a bike_______.
7. Sam had the ability to swim when she was 5 years old.
Sam ____could swim/was able to swim when she was 5 years old______.
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

EXERCISE 3. Complete the sentences with have to-has to/mustn’t/must /don’t-doesn’t have to.
1. You __don’t have to__ buy a book this year. You can use my book.
2. You __don’t have to__ pass a test to ride a bicycle.
3. Shops __mustn’t__ sell cigarettes to children.
4. This play is free. You __don’t have to___ buy a ticket.
5. My roommate __doesn’t have to__ go to work today because it is her day off.
6. You _mustn’t__ smoke in public places. Otherwise, you __have to/must__ pay a fine.
7. When there is red light, you __have to/must__ stop.
8. His mother wakes him up, so he __doesn’t have to__ use an alarm o'clock.
9. We are eating out this evening so we __don’t have to__ cook dinner.
10. If you want to get a good grade, you _____have to/must______ do your assignments regularly.
11.Every Turkish man _____has to/must_____ do his military service when he is 18 unless he is a
student.
12. I ____don’t have to_____ ask her about the exam. I already know the topics.
13. According to the library rules, you ___have to/must____ buy a new one if you lose a library book.
14.You ___have to/must___ get a visa to travel to the USA. Otherwise, they won’t accept you.
15.You ____mustn’t___ copy during the exam, otherwise you will get punished.

EXERCISE 4. Fill in the gaps using a suitable modal verb for ability.
1. My car has broken down, so I ____can’t_____ pick you up from school today.
2. How many instruments ___can_____ you play?
3. ___Could_____ you read when you were six?
4. The washing machine isn’t working, and I ___can’t/am not able to___ repair it. Call a technician.
5. After the operation last year, he ____couldn’t/wasn’t able to ____ walk for a week.
6. _____Are____ you _____able to_____ ride your motorbike with a broken leg?
7. My sister ____can’t_____ swim very well, but she is having lessons.
8. ______Was___ he _____able to_____ delete the virus from the computer yesterday?
9. We ____can’t/aren’t able to_____ get a good signal in the sitting room. It’s really weak.
10.Cheetahs ___can/are able to ____ reach a speed of 130 km/hr, but they ____can’t/aren’t able
to__ keep it up for a long time.
11.Jill _____can/is able to_____ understand Chinese, but she ____can’t/isn’t able to____ write it.
12.We ____couldn’t/weren’t able to_____ see anything because there was a woman wearing a big
hat in front of us.
13.Something is wrong with the computer. I ____cannot/am not able to____ connect to the
internet.
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

14.My son ___could/was able to____ walk when he was eight months old.
EXERCISE 5. Complete the sentences with the correct modal verbs: can't/couldn’t,
might/may/could, must or may not/might not.

1. Your mother ____must___ be a great cook. You are always so excited to get back home to eat!
2. I don't know why Sarah is so tired these days. She ___may/might/could___ work too hard or
maybe she does not sleep well.
3. You seem to know everything about the theatre. You ___must___ go to the theater every week.
4. A: Listen. Someone is jumping on the floor above us.
B: It ___must___ be Sam. He does exercises in his apartment at this time every day.
5. Jane ate two big sandwiches for lunch. She ___can’t/couldn’t___ be hungry now.
6. Oh, the phone is ringing. Answer it. It ___must___ be Kate. She always rings at this time.
7. That T-shirt ____can’t/couldn’t___ be mine. I don’t wear orange, and it’s not my size.
8. That couple ____must___ be bored of this film. They're leaving already - after only 20 minutes!
9. That's the second new car they have bought this year. They ___must___ be very rich!
10. I ___may (not)/might (not)/could___ go to the concert. I haven’t decided yet.
11. We aren’t sure, but they ___may/might/could___ be hungry after the trip, so we will have some
food ready for them.
12. She always gets great marks. She ___must___ be very intelligent.
13. This ___may/might/could___ be the correct answer, but we will have to check it with the
teacher to make sure.
14. Ian isn´t here, so he ____may/might/could____ be at school, but I’m not sure.
15. He ____can’t/couldn’t___ be tired. He hasn’t done anything all day!
16. Tim told me not to wait for him because he ___may not/might not____ arrive in time.
17. You haven’t eaten all day. You ____must____ be hungry!
18. Perhaps he isn’t a good basketball player. He ____may not/might not___ be as good as his
teammates.

EXERCISE 6. Rewrite the sentences below using the correct modal verbs.

1. I’m sure he is not Michael Jackson. He died a few years ago!

He _____can’t/couldn’t be Michael Jackson____.

2. I think Sarah isn’t very ill because I saw her shopping this morning.
Sarah ___may not/might not be ill because I saw her shopping this morning____.
3. Perhaps Filip is from the Czech Republic – he speaks Czech very well.
Filip ____may/might/could be from the Czech Republic____.
4. I'm certain he doesn't know the secret.
___He can’t/couldn’t know the secret___.
5. I'm sure she is on holiday.
___She must be on holiday____.
6. It's possible she is stuck in traffic.
___She may/might/could be stuck in traffic____.
7. It's likely that she doesn’t remember about the meeting.
___She may not/might not remember about the meeting____.
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

8. I haven’t seen her today. Perhaps, she is at the hotel.

___She may/might/could be at the hotel____.
9. It is impossible that Jack is at home. His lights are off.
___Jack can’t/couldn’t be at home____.
10. Sue had a big dinner only an hour ago. It is unlikely that she is hungry now.
___Sue can’t/couldn’t be hungry now____.
11. Where is the cat? I don’t know. Maybe she is in the garden.
___The cat may/might/could be in the garden___.

EXERCISE 7. Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the words in parentheses. Choose
between affirmative and negative forms.
1. Ari ____must have been___ (must/be) exhausted yesterday. He had worked late the night
before.
2. That book has over 1,000 pages. It ___must have taken___ (must/take) you ages to read it.
3. Frieda ___can’t have received___ (can/receive) my message. She never called me back.
4. Derek ___couldn't have left___ (could/leave) already. It's only 10:00, and his flight isn't until
3:00.
5. He ___might have changed___ (might/change) his reservation. He sometimes has to leave
earlier than he planned.
6. Myra has worked there for only six months. She ___must have been___ (must/be) surprised
by that promotion.
7. Ernie ___may have lost___ (may/lose) his job. He hasn't left the house for days.
8. Could you repeat that? The students in the back of the room ___may not have heard___
(may/hear) you.
9. Abbas ___couldn’t have understood___ (could/understand) the teacher's explanation. He
still looks puzzled.

EXERCISE 8. Rewrite the following sentences using “must have/might have /might not have/can’t + have
+ past participle.”

1. I think the thief opened my handbag while I was talking to my friend.

The thief might/may/could have opened my handbag while I was talking to my friend.
2. I don’t think that my boss has read the report yet.
My boss might not/may not have read the report yet.
3. Perhaps I didn’t lock the door. I am not sure.
I might not/may not have locked the door.
4. He has definitely arrived home by now.
He must have arrived home by now.
5. I don’t believe that she spent $200 on a shirt.
She can’t/couldn’t have spent $200 on a shirt.
6. Linda has had a very long interview. I am sure that she has got the job.
Linda must have got the job.
7. Maybe I left my keys on the bus.
I might/may/could have left the keys on the bus.
8. I don’t believe that your dog ate your homework.
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

Your dog can’t/couldn’t have eaten your homework.

9. It’s not possible that the computer made a mistake.
The computer can’t/couldn’t have made a mistake.
10. Maybe Peter has missed the bus again.
Peter might/may/could have missed the bus again.
11. There is no one at home. Maybe they have gone shopping.
They might/may/could have gone shopping.
12. I am sure that Liz has not met Harry before.
Liz can’t/couldn’t have met Harry before.

EXERCISE 9. Circle the correct answer.

1. Tom hasn’t arrived yet. He _____ the address.
a) may have found c) must have found
b) can’t find d) might not have found

2. Kevin _____a repairman instead of fixing the machine himself. Now, it seems that the machine will
never work again.
a) shouldn’t call c) should have called
b) must have called d) can’t call

3. Richard hasn’t eaten anything since the morning. He _____very hungry now.
a) must be
b) cannot be
c) must have been
d) may not have been

4. I don’t know where I met that woman. I _____her at the airport or at the art gallery where I went
last week.
a) may meet
b) might have met
c) must have met
d) could meet

5. Don’t complain about your grades now. It is too late. You _____well before.
a) might study
b) must have studied
c) have to study
d) should have studied

6. Rachel’s graduation party is tomorrow. I’m sure she _____the dress which she looked at yesterday
because she liked it very much.
a) must have bought
b) can’t buy
c) shouldn’t buy
d) might have bought
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

7. Luke is sleeping in his room. He never sleeps at this hour. He _____tired at work today.
a) could get
b) should have got
c) must have got
d) may get

8. Ann is looking for a new babysitter. Her daughter’s babysitter _____ her job.
a) mustn’t quit c) should have quit
b) must have quit d) didn’t have to quit

9. I _____that cake! I have already put on so much weight recently.

a) shouldn’t have eaten
b) had to eat
c) could eat
d) might not have eaten

10. I think I _____your bag under the bed, but I am not sure.
a) must have seen
b) was able to see
c) may have seen
d) should see

11. Did you see Jennifer’s necklace? If the diamonds on it are real, she _____a fortune for it.
a) may have spent c) can’t have spent
b) shouldn’t spend d) must have spent

12. You ________ worry so much. It doesn’t do you any good. Either you get the job, or you don’t. If
you don’t, just apply for another one. Eventually, you will find work.
a) had to c) can’t
b) don’t have to d) didn’t have to

13. Jenny’s engagement ring is enormous! It ______ a fortune.

a) had to cost c) must have cost
b) may cost d) might cost

14. Yesterday, I _______ cram all day for my French final. I didn’t get to sleep until after midnight.
a) had to c) must
b) wasn’t able to d) might

15. You ________ studied really hard, because the TOEFL exam is quite difficult and you have got
100.
a) must have c) should have
b) could d) might have
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

16. You _________ seen her in Chicago yesterday! I know that she was right here in London!
a) may not have c) can’t have
b) should not have d) might not have

17. Where is Jill? She _______ forgotten that we were supposed to meet at 2.00 p.m.
a) should have c) must have
b) would have d) could have

EXERCISE 10. Rewrite the sentences using Perfect Modal verbs.

1. It was not a good idea to buy that dress for the party.
You shouldn’t have bought that dress for the party.
2. I am sure I left my suitcase at the taxi which I took from the airport.
I must have left my suitcase at the taxi which I took from the airport.
3. Maybe we lost Richard’s phone number, I don’t know.
We may/ might/ could have lost Richard’s number.
4. I didn’t study well for the exam. I regret now.
I should have studied better for the exam.
5. It is impossible that Pam bought that pink jumper. She hates pink.
Pam can’t/couldn’t have bought that pink jumper.
6. Perhaps Susan got a call from her friend and went out.
Susan may/ could/ might have got a call from her friend and gone out.
7. I told John the name of the cafe three times. It is impossible for him to forget.
John can’t/couldn’t have forgotten the name of the cafe.
8. I am sure that Liz has not met Harry before.
Liz can’t/couldn’t have met Harry before.
9. I didn’t do my homework, so my teacher got angry with me.
I should have done my homework.
10. I am broke now because I spent all my money foolishly.
I shouldn’t have spent all my money foolishly.
11. I don’t believe that I have lost the keys. I think I have left them at home.
I might/may/could have left the keys at home.
12. Jenny isn’t here yet. Maybe, she missed the bus.
Jenny might/may/could have missed the bus.
13. My father caught a terrible cold because he went out without a coat. He really regrets now.
He shouldn’t have gone out without a coat.
14. I don’t believe that my boss has read the report yet.
My boss can’t/couldn’t have read the report.
15. I am pretty sure that David ate all the cake I made. He was in the kitchen for half an hour.
David must have eaten all the cake I made.
16. Marisa slipped and broke her ankle because she was wearing high-heeled shoes on the icy
pavement. She feels really sorry now.
Marisa shouldn’t have worn high-heeled shoes on the icy pavement.
17. Alex failed in the final exam because he didn’t study hard enough. He regrets it now.
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

Alex should have studied hard enough.

EXERCISE 11. Choose the alternative that best completes each sentence.
1. Jim never tells about his problems, but he couldn’t help talking about his problem with his
girlfriend yesterday. Therefore, I am sure _____.
a) The event must have made him really upset
b) He cannot have taken his problem seriously
c) He might go to a psychologist to relieve
d) they may not have reached an agreement on the wedding date
2. The little girl looks very unhappy. I have no idea about what happened exactly, but_____.
a) she must break the ancient vase on the table
b) her mom might not have bought the toy she wanted
c) even a big bar of chocolate cannot have made her happy
d) somebody must have teased with her
3. Susan regrets that she didn’t continue her university education. _____, but there is no point crying
over spilt milk.
a) She shouldn’t have left her school
b) She might have found a distance learning program for her
c) She will have to be dependent on her family for financial support
d) She may not be pleased with what she has to do
4. The traffic was terrible. Nevertheless, _____.
a) Tom could have been late for our meeting
b) Tom was able to arrive at the conference hall on time
c) Tom might lose his temper and get angry
d) Tom must have gone home back very tired
5. Nobody believes what Jane says anymore because of her last lie about her family. _____.
a) Her family must be proud of her now
b) Her colleagues may have forgiven her
c) She shouldn’t have told that lie
d) Her white lie cannot have made anybody angry
6. Tina feels worse now. Why did nobody help her? ____.
a) Her friends might have supported her
b) She may have felt relieved after the therapy
c) Somebody should have helped her to solve her problem
d) Tina must have got help from one of her friends
B2 Modal Verbs PracticeTeacher’s Copy

EXERCISE 12. Choose the alternative that is closest in meaning to the sentence given.
1) It was a bad idea to sleep at a late hour before the exam.
a) You might have felt well if you had slept late.
b) You had to rest well before you took the exam.
c) You had better not sleep early when you have an exam.
d) You shouldn’t have slept at a late hour before the exam.

2) I am almost sure that man stole the money from Pam’s purse.
a) Pam’s money might have been in the purse when the man stole.
b) That man must have stolen the money from Pam’s purse.
c) Pam may have left her purse at a place where that man could take.
d) That man should have brought Pam’s money back.

3) I don’t know the reason why Alex got angry with his roommate, but maybe the problem was
his snoring.
a) Alex must have argued with his roommate because of her sleeping hours.
b) Alex may have got angry with his roommate because he snored a lot.
c) Alex should have talked to his roommate since he does not snore anymore.
d) Alex should have solved his roommate’s snoring problem.

4) There was a chance that you won the match yesterday.

a) You had better win the match yesterday.
b) You had to win the match yesterday.
c) You might have won the match yesterday.
d) You should have won the match yesterday.

5) I am sure that the students who didn’t study for the exam failed.
a) The students must have studied hard, but they failed in the exam.
b) The students that didn’t study for the exam cannot have passed the exam.
c) The students might not have failed since they studied hard.
d) The students should have failed in the exam because they never studied.

6) Perhaps the police found some evidence in the room where the girl was killed.
a) The police might have found the reason why the girl was killed.
b) The police should have searched the room to find some evidence.
c) The police may have discovered some evidence in the room the girl was killed in.
d) The police must have investigated the room carefully and found the evidence.