Fill in the blanks.
1. They ………………………. come in the evening. (weak possibility)
Correct!
Wrong!
May indicates possibility; might indicates very weak possibility. Can is not used in affirmative clauses to talk about possibility.
2. She ………………….. know his address. (possibility)
Correct!
Wrong!
Might is also possible here but it indicates weak possibility.
3. ………………………. you speak English? (ability)
Correct!
Wrong!
Can shows ability.
4. If you spoke English, you ………………………. get a better job. (ability)
Correct!
Wrong!
In type 2 conditional sentences, we use could, not can, to show ability.
5. You ……………………… be watching too many films.
Correct!
Wrong!
6. I …………………….. now. (strong obligation)
Correct!
Wrong!
Modals are followed by an infinitive without to.
7. The roof ………………………. be repaired one of these days.
Please select 2 correct answers
Correct!
Wrong!
Either must or ought to is possible here. Ought is followed by an infinitive with to.
8. I ………………………… work really hard in those days.
Correct!
Wrong!
Modals do not normally have past forms.
9. You ……………………….. me you weren’t coming.
Correct!
Wrong!
Should have + past participle can be used to express some past ideas.
10. He ……………………….. arrive any time.
Correct!
Wrong!
11. Where is Janet? She …………………….. be in London, Paris or Berlin – nobody knows.
Correct!
Wrong!
Could can express possibility in affirmative clauses.
12. Kashmir ………………………. be very cold in winter.
Correct!
Wrong!
Can indicates behavior typical of a person or thing.
Answers
- They might come in the evening. (weak possibility)
- She may know his address. (possibility)
- Can you speak English? (ability)
- If you spoke English, you could get a better job. (ability)
- You should not be watching too many films.
- I must quit now. (strong obligation)
- The roof ought to / must be repaired one of these days.
- I had to work really hard in those days.
- You should have told me you weren’t coming.
- He may arrive any time.
- Where is Janet? She could be in London, Paris or Berlin – nobody knows.
- Kashmir can be very cold in winter.
