Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1Given the power cut, the server ............... offline at midnight, so the missing logs are no surprise.
Wrong!
Use a modal of logical deduction based on evidence, not permission or ability.
2You ............... have told me you were resigning in front of the whole team. A private word would have done.
Wrong!
Use a modal that criticises a past action as inappropriate, not one that expresses possibility.
3I ............... finish the report tonight, but I am not promising. It depends on how long the client call runs.
Wrong!
Use a modal for a tentative intention, not obligation or certainty.
4If you ............... interrupt, at least wait until she has finished her sentence.
Wrong!
Use the modal that means you insist on doing something, not one about permission or ability.
5You ............... have brought a gift, but it was a thoughtful touch.
Wrong!
Use the modal that means it was unnecessary, not one that implies you did the wrong thing.
6The committee ............... approve the merger, but only if the regulator signs off first.
Wrong!
Use the modal for a conditional possibility, not certainty or obligation.
7He ............... be at the office. His car is outside and the lights are on.
Wrong!
Use a strong deduction from clear evidence, not a weak guess or ability.
8I ............... ask you to keep this confidential. The investigation is still ongoing.
Wrong!
Use a formal, polite modal for making a request, not one for ability or obligation.
9She ............... have missed the email. I watched her open it and reply immediately.
Wrong!
Use the modal that rules out a past possibility based on evidence.
10The witness ............... have been lying, but the timeline still checks out.
Wrong!
Use a modal that expresses a possibility about the past, not certainty or prohibition.
11To be admitted, applicants ............... submit either a portfolio or a published paper, not both.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use modals that express an external requirement, not personal advice.
12You ............... leave now if you like. The meeting has finished and no one needs you.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use modals that give permission, not obligation or deduction.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Given the power cut, the server must have gone offline at midnight, so the missing logs are no surprise.
- You shouldn’t have told me you were resigning in front of the whole team. A private word would have done.
- I might finish the report tonight, but I am not promising. It depends on how long the client call runs.
- If you will interrupt, at least wait until she has finished her sentence.
- You needn’t have brought a gift, but it was a thoughtful touch.
- The committee might approve the merger, but only if the regulator signs off first.
- He must be at the office. His car is outside and the lights are on.
- I may ask you to keep this confidential. The investigation is still ongoing.
- She can’t have missed the email. I watched her open it and reply immediately.
- The witness might have been lying, but the timeline still checks out.
- To be admitted, applicants must/have to submit either a portfolio or a published paper, not both.
- You can/may leave now if you like. The meeting has finished and no one needs you.
