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 "must have gone" for a strong deduction about a past event based on evidence.
2You ............... have told me you were resigning in front of the whole team. A private word would have done.
Wrong!
Use "shouldn't" to criticise a past action as inappropriate.
3I ............... finish the report tonight, but I am not promising. It depends on how long the client call runs.
Wrong!
Use "might" for a possible action when you are not making a promise.
4If you ............... interrupt, at least wait until she has finished her sentence.
Wrong!
Use "will" after "if" to suggest that someone insists on doing something annoying.
5You ............... have brought a gift, but it was a thoughtful touch.
Wrong!
Use "needn't" with "have" to say that a past action was unnecessary.
6The committee ............... approve the merger, but it is far too early to say.
Wrong!
Use "might" for an uncertain possibility, not certainty or obligation.
7He ............... be at the office. His car is outside and the lights are on.
Wrong!
Use "must" for a strong present deduction from clear evidence.
8I ............... ask you to keep this confidential. The investigation is still ongoing.
Wrong!
Use "must" in the formal phrase "I must ask you to..." to make a firm but polite request.
9She ............... have missed the email. I watched her open it and reply immediately.
Wrong!
Use "can't" with "have" to rule out a past possibility based on evidence.
10The witness ............... have been lying, but the timeline still checks out.
Wrong!
Use "might" with "have been" to express a possibility about the past.
11To be admitted, applicants ............... submit either a portfolio or a published paper, not both.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "must" or "have to" for an admission requirement imposed by a rule.
12You ............... leave now if you like. The meeting has finished and no one needs you.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "can" or "may" to give permission to leave.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
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 it is far too early to say.
- He must be at the office. His car is outside and the lights are on.
- I must 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.