Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1Don't throw things out of the window. Somebody ............... .
Wrong!
The passive possibility is expressed with "could be hit".
2She ............... awake. There is no light in her room.
Wrong!
A strong negative deduction about now is expressed with "can't be".
3There is no light in his room. He must ............... to bed.
Wrong!
A strong deduction about a past action after "must" uses "have gone".
4Students ............... not take books out of the library.
Wrong!
A strict rule or prohibition is expressed with "must".
5The zoo sign says, "Visitors ............... not feed or tease zoo animals."
Wrong!
A sign giving a strict prohibition uses "must".
6I am not sure, but there is something under the bed. It ............... a mouse.
Wrong!
Uncertain possibility is expressed with "may be".
7If he had replied to my letter, it should ............... days ago.
Wrong!
An expected past result after "should" uses "have arrived".
8Why did you wait for me? You ............... have gone without me.
Wrong!
Past possibility is expressed with "could" before "have gone".
9It ............... be James. He is in San Francisco at the moment.
Wrong!
A strong conclusion that something is impossible is expressed with "can't".
10In those days, you could ............... for stealing a goat.
Wrong!
The passive form after "could" is "be hanged".
11You ............... be her sister. You look just like her.
Wrong!
A strong deduction based on evidence is expressed with "must".
12She left school at 4, so she ............... be here in half an hour.
Wrong!
An expected future result is expressed with "should".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Don’t throw things out of the window. Somebody could be hit.
- She can’t be awake. There is no light in her room.
- There is no light in his room. He must have gone to bed.
- Students must not take books out of the library.
- The zoo sign says, “Visitors must not feed or tease zoo animals.”
- I am not sure, but there is something under the bed. It may be a mouse.
- If he had replied to my letter, it should have arrived days ago.
- Why did you wait for me? You could have gone without me.
- It can’t be James. He is in San Francisco at the moment.
- In those days, you could be hanged for stealing a goat.
- You must be her sister. You look just like her.
- She left school at 4, so she should be here in half an hour.
