Question 1
A: You are ill. You _____ on the balcony. It isn't warm outside.
B: I'm wearing warm clothes. Don't worry.
A says it is a bad idea because you are ill and it is cold, so we use mustn't (don't do it). Not needn't, because that only means it is not necessary.
Question 2
A: I don't want to leave my phone at the desk before I enter the exam hall. _____?
B: Unfortunately, yes. It is the rule.
B says Unfortunately, yes. It is the rule. A rule is an obligation, so we ask Must I? (Is it necessary?). Can I? / May I? ask for permission, and the answer would not be 'unfortunately'.
Question 3
A: You _____ wash those strawberries. I've already washed them.
B: Oh, good. Thank you.
The strawberries are already washed, so it is not necessary to wash them: You needn't wash them.
Question 4
I _____ tell the time when I was 8 years old, but now I can.
When I was 8 is the past, and but now I can shows the opposite, so we need couldn't (past of can't). Not can't, because that is present.
Question 5
A: _____ help you?
B: Yes, please. I'm looking for a leather jacket.
Can I help you? is the usual way to offer help, for example in a shop.
Question 6
A: Betty _____ pay her rent today.
B: I hope she has enough money.
Paying the rent today is necessary, so we use must. B hopes she has enough money because she has no choice.
Question 7
Margaret _____ speak Italian and English, so she _____ work with a translator on this project.
Margaret can speak both languages, so it is not necessary for her to use a translator: she needn't work with one. Not mustn't, because that means it is not allowed.
Question 8
A: I _____ open this jar.
B: Let me help you. _____ use a knife?
A: No problem.
A needs help, so A can't open the jar. B asks for permission to try with a knife: Can I use a knife?
Question 9
A: _____ turn up the volume of the radio? This is my favourite song.
B: Sure. You _____ ask me. I'm never disturbed by the music.
A asks for permission: Can I turn up the volume? B says it is not necessary to ask, so You needn't ask me.
Question 10
A: _____ ask you a question?
B: Yes, sure, but I _____ answer it if it is about my private life.
May I ask you a question? is a polite request. B will not answer private questions, so I can't answer it.
Question 11
A: I _____ work hard during the weekend.
B: Why?
A: I _____ finish my weekly task yesterday.
A has to work at the weekend, so I must work hard. The reason is in the past (yesterday): I couldn't finish my task.
Question 12
She _____ smoke because she is pregnant and it is harmful to the baby.
Smoking is harmful to the baby, so it is a strong 'no': She mustn't smoke. Not needn't, because that only means it is not necessary.
Question 13
I _____ get a visa to go to England. I'm a British citizen.
A British citizen does not need a visa for England, so it is not necessary: I needn't get a visa. Not mustn't, because that means it is not allowed.
Question 14
A: _____ read and write when you were 5?
B: No, I _____.
When you were 5 is the past, so we use Could you…? and the short answer No, I couldn't.
Question 15
A: _____ pay any money for this treatment?
B: No, you _____.
A asks if paying is necessary: Must I pay? B says it is not necessary: No, you needn't.
Question 16
This medicine _____ heal you. Give it a try.
Give it a try shows the medicine is possible help, so we use can: This medicine can heal you.
Question 17
You _____ give up. You are strong enough to overcome this problem.
The speaker says you are strong, so giving up is a strong 'no': You mustn't give up. Not needn't, because that only means it is not necessary.
Question 18
A: Jeremy _____ come to the dinner party today.
B: I know. As far as I know, he _____ go on a business trip.
Jeremy is not able to come, so he can't come. The reason is an obligation: he must go on a business trip.
Question 19
A: I _____ speak English fluently before I stayed in England for a year.
B: But now you _____. That's very good.
In the past A was not able to speak fluently: couldn't. Now it is possible: now you can.
Question 20
A: _____ see your passport?
B: Why _____ show it?
A: Because I need to see a picture ID.
A asks for permission: Can I see your passport? B asks why it is necessary: Why must I show it?
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