Modality Advanced Level MCQs Test With Answers 2

Needn't + infinitive means something is not necessary: you don't have to buy a canoe because it is expensive and you have another option. Can borrow gives permission: you may use mine whenever you like. Not mustn't buy, because that means buying is forbidden, which is not the idea here.

Would + infinitive describes repeated actions or habits in the past: he would drive down the street. The clue is 'when he was young' and 'or sometimes', which show a regular past habit. Not should have driven, which criticises a past action rather than describing a habit.

For a single successful action on one occasion in the past, use was/were able to (or managed to), not could. Here the stain was removed once, before the wedding, so were able to remove is right. Not could remove, because affirmative could is used for general past ability, not one specific achievement.

Might + infinitive expresses a future possibility that is uncertain. The condition 'if he finishes early' shows we are not sure, so might join fits. Not could have joined, which refers to a past possibility that did not happen.

Had to is the past form of have to/must and expresses past obligation or necessity: to repair the house, it was necessary to ask for a loan. Not must have asked, which is a deduction about the past, but B is describing what they themselves did.

Must not have + past participle is a negative deduction about the past: B is almost sure Jane didn't get the invitation. (In British English can't have received is also common.) The clue is 'we should have checked that she had got it'. Not needn't have received, which means receiving it was unnecessary.

Might be able to combines possibility (might) and ability (be able to) in the future. The condition 'if she has time' shows it is not certain. Not was able to, which refers to the past.

Was/were supposed to expresses what was planned or expected but did not happen. The plane was scheduled to land hours ago, but 'we haven't even taken off yet'. Not must have landed, which is a deduction that it really did land.

Would you mind + -ing is a polite request asking someone else to do something: Would you mind putting it back? Not Do you mind if I, which asks permission for the speaker's own action and needs a base verb (if I put).

Could + infinitive is used for a present possibility or guess. B says 'I don't know', so a tentative guess is needed: she could be short of money. Not can be, which describes something that is sometimes true in general, not a guess about now.

Don't have to means something is no longer necessary. With 'any longer' and the new laptop and phone, returning to the office is not necessary now. Not needn't have returned, which refers to an unnecessary action in the past.

Shouldn't + infinitive gives advice or criticism about present behaviour: it is wrong to be envious, because your brother earns his success. Not may not be, which only expresses possibility.

Will have to expresses a future necessity that arises from the situation: there is no salt, so it will be necessary to go to the shop. Not needn't go, which means the opposite.

Used to + infinitive describes a past state that is no longer true: Dad was generous before, but now he is careful with money. Not would be, because would for past habits is not normally used with state verbs like be.

Have been able to is the present perfect of can, used for ability over a period up to now. The clue is 'since I started working here a month ago', which needs the present perfect. Not had to sell, which expresses obligation, not ability.

Shall we…? makes a suggestion. Would sooner (= would rather) + base verb expresses preference: I would sooner take the ferry. Not Can / would like, because would like needs to before the verb.

Had to expresses past necessity: you were forced to change the topic. Couldn't find expresses inability in the past; could is fine in the negative for a single occasion. Not have changed / wasn't able to find, because the present perfect does not fit the finished past story.

Could you…? and Would you…? are both polite ways to ask someone to do something. Not May / Could, because may asks permission for the speaker (May I…?) and is not used with you for requests.

Was able to expresses ability on a specific past occasion: last night, drinking coffee was the only way I managed to stay awake. Not ought to stay, which is advice, not past ability.

Will you…? is an informal way to ask someone to do something: Will you hold this shelf? Not Shall, because Shall is used with I or we for offers and suggestions, not with you for requests.

Shouldn't have + past participle shows something happened that was not expected or right: the tyres were replaced only in January, so they were not expected to wear thin yet. Not needn't have worn, which talks about an unnecessary action.

Have to expresses obligation, often a rule from someone else: their letter says it is necessary to send the accounts before ordering. Not may have supplied, which is a guess about the past.

Could have + past participle describes a past possibility that was not used: I was able to offer to type the report, but I didn't. I suppose and I didn't know how important it was show mild regret. Not was able to offer, because that would mean the offer really happened.

Was supposed to expresses a plan or expectation that did not happen: Mom was expected to come home today, but she is still in the hospital. Not must have come, which is a deduction that she did come home.

May have + past participle is a guess about something that has possibly already happened: people have possibly made plans already. Not are making, because 'already' points to a completed action, not one in progress.

Must have + past participle is a confident deduction about the past: he reached the final, so he surely played well. Than I thought he could uses past could for ability. Not will have played / ought to, because will have played refers to the future.

Ever since + past tense needs the present perfect in the main clause, and can has no perfect form, so we use hasn't been able to spend. Not wasn't able to spend, which is past simple and does not connect to now.

Had better + base verb gives strong advice about the present or future, often with a warning: …or I'll have difficulty. Not must have stopped, which is a deduction about the past.

Have had to is the present perfect of have to, for a necessity that started in the past and continues now. The clue is 'since I was seven'. Not have to wear, because since needs the present perfect.

After Would you mind if I…? we normally use the past simple, which makes the request more polite: Would you mind if I took…? Not taking, which follows Would you mind without if I (Would you mind me taking…?).

Used to + infinitive describes a past habit or state that is no longer true: in past years he was always first to book, but this year he hasn't signed up. Not may have been, which is only a guess, while the speaker knows it happened every year.

Should + infinitive gives advice or a recommendation: she is a wonderful cook, so opening a restaurant is a good idea. Not would open, which needs a condition and does not give advice.

May be + -ing expresses a possible future arrangement: seeing the boss viewing a new office block is a clue, but not proof. Not had better move, which is advice, not a guess.

Can't have + past participle is a negative deduction about the past: B is sure Peter didn't leave yesterday because B saw him at his desk this morning. Not hasn't left, because the present perfect cannot be used with 'yesterday'.

Must have been is a deduction about the past: if it was busy, you were surely very busy without me. Rushed off your feet means extremely busy. Not might be, which refers to the present, not to the day that has finished.

Didn't need to + infinitive means something was not necessary, and usually it was not done: the speaker was about to buy glasses but didn't because the bag was found. Not needn't have bought, which means she bought them although it was not necessary.

Can't be is a negative deduction (I'm sure she isn't too hot, her jumper is off), and must have is a positive deduction (I'm sure she has a fever). Not shouldn't be / had, because had is past simple and does not express a deduction about now.

May I…? is a polite way to ask for permission. Not should, which asks for advice, not permission.

Would + infinitive describes a repeated action in the past: On summer evenings, we would walk…. 'On summer evenings' shows a regular habit. Not had walked, which is the past perfect and shows an earlier action, not a habit.

Must have been + -ing is a deduction about an activity going on over a period up to now: she isn't dieting, so she has surely been exercising hard. Not will have been exercising, which looks forward to a future time.

Have to expresses obligation that comes from a rule: the restaurant doesn't let men in without a tie. Not can wear, which only gives permission, not obligation.

May not + infinitive expresses a future possibility in the negative: since she hasn't reached her target, it's possible she won't get the promotion. Not shouldn't have got, which refers to the past.

Aren't supposed to expresses what you are not allowed to do according to rules or instructions, here the doctor's orders. Not don't have to put, which means it is not necessary but still allowed.

A short past action interrupting a longer one: past simple (sprained) for the event and past continuous (were hiking) for the background activity. 'Last Saturday' shows a finished past time. Not has sprained, because the present perfect cannot be used with 'last Saturday'.

Shall I…? is used to make an offer: Shall I look after Catty? Not Would, because Would I…? is not used to offer help.

Had to expresses past necessity: because of the strike, commuters were forced to hire taxis. The clue is the past context (During the strike, could afford). Not ought to hire, which gives advice and does not describe what people were forced to do in the past.

Was/were going to expresses a past plan or intention that did not happen: we planned to park there, but the car park was full. Not had parked, which would mean we actually parked there.

Should + infinitive gives advice: making more appointments is the right thing to do, because 'you're never going to achieve your sales target at this rate'. Not would make, which needs a condition and does not give advice.

Ought to + infinitive gives advice, like should: hiring a gardener is a good idea because you have no time. Not must have employed, which is a deduction about the past.

Were able to expresses success on a specific past occasion: you managed to persuade your father. Not could have persuaded, which means it was possible but did not happen, and the speaker is glad it did happen.