Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1Given the data gaps and the rushed timeline, the committee ............... have reached such a confident conclusion.
Wrong!
Use "shouldn't" to criticise a past decision that was unwise.
2You ............... be joking, because the final figures are identical to last quarter's.
Wrong!
Use "must" to show strong certainty based on clear evidence.
3If the witness is right about the time, the suspect ............... have left through the back entrance, but the front door is just as likely.
Wrong!
Use "might" to talk about a possible past action without certainty.
4The CEO ............... have known the policy was illegal, given the legal brief on his desk.
Wrong!
Use "must" for a strong logical conclusion about the past.
5You ............... have told the client their proposal was unrealistic in front of everyone.
Wrong!
Use "shouldn't" to say that a past action was a bad idea.
6We ............... to submit the ethics form before we can access the lab, according to the handbook.
Wrong!
Use "have" with "to" to express an obligation from a rule.
7I ............... chase them for updates because they keep missing the agreed deadlines.
Wrong!
Use "have to" to express an unwanted but necessary action.
8It's only a suggestion, but to avoid sounding accusatory, you ............... phrase it as a question rather than a demand.
Wrong!
Use "might" to give careful, tentative advice; "It's only a suggestion" rules out the strong "must".
9If you want to be taken seriously in the debate, you ............... to back up your claims with sources.
Wrong!
Use "ought" with "to" for a strong recommendation or duty.
10The report ............... be accurate, but it ignores the most recent field interviews.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Might" and "may" both make a cautious concession before a contrast.
11He ............... have been offended, because he thanked us warmly afterwards.
Wrong!
Use "can't" to reject a past possibility based on evidence.
12The new intern ............... be inexperienced, but she handled the crisis call flawlessly.
Wrong!
Use "may" to concede a point before giving contrasting information.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- Given the data gaps and the rushed timeline, the committee shouldn’t have reached such a confident conclusion.
- You must be joking, because the final figures are identical to last quarter’s.
- If the witness is right about the time, the suspect might have left through the back entrance, but the front door is just as likely.
- The CEO must have known the policy was illegal, given the legal brief on his desk.
- You shouldn’t have told the client their proposal was unrealistic in front of everyone.
- We have to submit the ethics form before we can access the lab, according to the handbook.
- I have to chase them for updates because they keep missing the agreed deadlines.
- It’s only a suggestion, but to avoid sounding accusatory, you might phrase it as a question rather than a demand.
- If you want to be taken seriously in the debate, you ought to back up your claims with sources.
- The report might / may be accurate, but it ignores the most recent field interviews.
- He can’t have been offended, because he thanked us warmly afterwards.
- The new intern may be inexperienced, but she handled the crisis call flawlessly.