Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb,
1In a formal notice giving permission: You ............... leave early if you have finished your job.
Wrong!
Use "may" to give permission in a formal or polite way.
2............... I go now?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "May" are both used to ask for permission.
3I ............... not meet him, so I left a message with his mother.
Wrong!
Use "could" with "not" to talk about past inability.
4............... I ask you a question?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May" and "Could" are both polite ways to ask a question.
5............... you pass the salt?
Wrong!
Use "Could" to make a polite request.
6The sign means: You ............... park here.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May not" and "cannot" both mean that parking is not allowed.
7............... I leave my bags with you?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "May" are both used to ask for permission.
8............... you give me a lift?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "Could" are both used to make requests.
9On most planes, you ............... smoke.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May not" and "cannot" both mean that smoking is not allowed.
10She ............... not come.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May" and "might" both show possibility.
11Who ............... it be?
Wrong!
Use "can" in "Who can it be?" to ask about logical possibility.
12I ............... not pass the test although I worked hard.
Wrong!
Use "could" with "not" to talk about past inability.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- In a formal notice giving permission: You may leave early if you have finished your job.
- Can / May I go now?
- I could not meet him, so I left a message with his mother.
- May / Could I ask you a question?
- Could you pass the salt?
- The sign means: You may not / cannot park here.
- Can / May I leave my bags with you?
- Can / Could you give me a lift?
- On most planes, you may not / cannot smoke.
- She may / might not come.
- Who can it be?
- I could not pass the test although I worked hard.
