Modals (Elementary / Pre-Intermediate) Test 2

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Question 1

I _____ not have time to phone you this evening.

A	may
B	must
C	would
D	didn’t

Question 1 Explanation:

May not means it is possible that something will not happen: I may not have time = perhaps I won't have time.

Question 2

He probably _____ be back in time for dinner.

A	isn’t
B	wasn’t
C	won’t
D	doesn’t

Question 2 Explanation:

We use won't (will not) + verb to talk about the future: He won't be back. Probably shows the speaker thinks so but isn't sure.

Question 3

Take a sweater with you. It _____ get cold later.

A	won’t
B	might
C	would
D	need

Question 3 Explanation:

Might means something is possible. You take a sweater because it might get cold. Not won't: then you wouldn't need a sweater.

Question 4

A: She can’t sing.

B: Neither _____.

A	do
B	could I
C	am I
D	can I

Question 4 Explanation:

To agree with a negative sentence, we use Neither + the same helping verb + I. She can't sing. → Neither can I.

Question 5

It’s very cold. You _____ to put a sweater on.

A	should
B	ought
C	has
D	must

Question 5 Explanation:

The word to comes after the gap, so we need ought: You ought to put a sweater on. Should and must are never followed by to.

Question 6

A: Will the director be back in the office today?

B: He said he _____ be, but he wasn’t sure.

A	can
B	might
C	must
D	has to

Question 6 Explanation:

Might shows that something is possible but not sure. The clue is he wasn't sure. Not must: it shows we are sure, which does not match he wasn't sure.

Question 7

A: Is this a 24 bus coming?

B: It _____ be. I can’t see the number yet.

A	might
B	can’t
C	mustn't
D	must

Question 7 Explanation:

B can't see the number, so B isn't sure. It might be means perhaps it is. Must and can't are only for things we feel sure about.

Question 8

A: _____.

B: I’m sorry, but I haven’t got my car.

A	Will you give me a lift?
B	Shall I drive you to school?
C	Could you drive a bit faster?
D	When shall we meet?

Question 8 Explanation:

Will you…? is used to ask someone to do something. B says I haven't got my car, so A asked for a lift (a free ride in a car).

Question 9

A: _____.

B: Yes, please. Can I give you the money now?

A	Will you lend me some money?
B	Will you buy some fruit on the way back home?
C	Shall we go to the opera tonight?
D	Shall I get you a ticket for the Madonna concert?

Question 9 Explanation:

Shall I…? is used to offer to do something. B says Yes, please and offers to pay, so A offered to get a ticket.

Question 10

If you don’t feel better, you _____ go to bed.

A	ought
B	should
C	don’t have to
D	needn’t

Question 10 Explanation:

We use should to give advice: You should go to bed. Not ought: it needs to (ought to go).

Question 11

I’ll _____ go now.

A	should
B	must
C	have to
D	ought to

Question 11 Explanation:

After will ('ll) we can't use must or should. We use have to: I'll have to go now.

Question 12

You _____ get the 8.45 train. It doesn't stop at York.

A	had better
B	mustn’t
C	should
D	don’t have to

Question 12 Explanation:

Mustn't means 'don't do it'. The train doesn't stop at York, so you mustn't take it. Not don't have to: that means it isn't necessary, but you can do it if you want.

Question 13

You _____ go near that dog! It’s very dangerous.

A	can
B	don’t have to
C	mustn’t
D	needn’t

Question 13 Explanation:

Mustn't means 'don't do it'. The dog is dangerous, so it is important not to go near it. Not needn't or don't have to: they only mean it isn't necessary.

Question 14

We _____ play football today because it is raining.

A	couldn’t
B	can’t
C	aren’t
D	didn’t

Question 14 Explanation:

Can't means it is not possible now. The words today and is raining show the present. Not couldn't, because it is for the past.

Question 15

When I was a child, I _____ drink a lot of milk.

A	should
B	may
C	used to
D	need

Question 15 Explanation:

We use used to for things we did often in the past but don't do now: When I was a child, I used to drink a lot of milk.

Question 16

A: I’ve got a toothache.

B: You’d _____ go to the dentist.

A	better
B	should
C	used to
D	must

Question 16 Explanation:

You'd better (= you had better) + verb gives strong advice: You'd better go to the dentist. Not should, because You'd should is wrong.

Question 17

Betty has a temperature. She _____ be ill.

A	had better
B	used to
C	cannot
D	must

Question 17 Explanation:

We use must when we are sure something is true. She has a temperature, so we are sure: She must be ill.

Question 18

Good morning, sir. What _____ I do for you?

A	would
B	can
C	shall
D	must

Question 18 Explanation:

What can I do for you? is a polite way to offer help, often used in shops and offices.

Question 19

We _____ to stop pollution.

A	must
B	should
C	had better
D	ought

Question 19 Explanation:

The word to comes after the gap, so we need ought: We ought to stop pollution. Must, should and had better are not followed by to.

Question 20

_____ careful! You are making mistakes.