Choose the correct answer.

1 ‘You ...C... be late for work.'

‘I know. I'm leaving now.'

A needn't B must C mustn't

2 ‘Jim … lose some weight. His doctor said so.'

‘Then he must go on a diet.'

A mustn't B can C has to

3 ‘I … go to the bank today. I have enough money.'

‘Well, I'll go alone, then.'

A needn't B have to C must

4 ‘Did you deliver that parcel for me?'

‘No, I … find the house, so I've come back to get a map.'

A can B could C couldn't

5 I … clean the house today. It's dirty.'

‘I’ll help you.'

A needn't B must C mustn't

6 ‘I … feed the dog at lunchtime. My brother did it in the morning.'

‘You can do it this evening, then.'

A didn't need to B needn't have C need

7 ‘Do you need any help?'

‘Yes. I … open the window. It's stuck.'

A could B am able to C can't

8 ‘I … swim until I was ten.'

‘Well, I didn't learn until I was eleven.'

A can B can't C couldn't

9 Can I talk to you, please?'

Sorry, I … go now. I'm late for a meeting.'

A mustn't B has to C must

10 ‘Is Tom good at languages?'

‘Yes, he … already speak French, German and Italian.'

A can't B can C could

11 ‘The test was too difficult for me.'

‘Oh dear, I … do it quite easily.'

A was able to B can't C can

12 ‘Where's Tom?'

‘He's not at work, so he … be at the library.'

A must B can't C can

13 ‘… we go shopping today?'

‘No. I'd prefer to go tomorrow.'

A Ought B Shall C Will

14 ‘Sorry Mum. I've broken a plate.'

‘You … be more careful.'

A may B should C might

15 ‘Where's your father?'

‘He … be in the garage.'

A might B can C mustn't

Fill in can, can't, must, mustn't, needn't or have to.

1 A: Is Matthew very rich?

B: He ...must... be. He drives a Ferrari.

2 A: Would you like to come shopping with me?

B: Yes, but I … . I … do my homework this afternoon.

3 A: Is Tom interested in music?

B: Oh yes. He … play the guitar and the saxophone.

4 A: Is Katie at home?

B: No, she … be. Her car is not here.

5 A: Can I go to the cinema tonight?

B: Yes, but you … be late home.

6 A: Hurry up. You'll be late for school!

B: I don't … go to school today. It's Saturday.

7 A: I bought you this present.

B: Oh, you … have. It's not my birthday!

8 A: Excuse me, I'm looking for Barkwest Bank.

B: I'm afraid I … help you. I don't live here.


Complete the sentences, as in the example. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.

Modal Use
1 ...Shall… we go to the zoo? making a suggestion
2 You … try harder. giving advice
3 You … take photographs here. expressing prohibition
4 … I carry this bag for you? making an offer
5 … you turn off the lights, please? making a request
6 You … have been more careful. expressing criticism
7 … I make a phone call, please? asking for permission
8 Tom … walk; he's only six months old. expressing lack of ability
9 Mary … send us a card. expressing possibility
10 You … wear a seatbelt while driving. expressing obligation
11 They … be tired. expressing a positive logical assumption
12 I'm sorry, but you … go out. refusing permission
13 He … be French. expressing a negative logical assumption
14 You … sit here. giving permission