30 Questions of Modal Auxiliaries

1. A : Sorry, you are too late. The bank is already closed B : Well, I ... earlier.A. should have comeB. might have comeC. would have comeD. will have comeE. may have come

2. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He be exhausted after such a long flight. He prefer to stay in tonight and get some rest.

A. must, shouldB. could, have toC. should, mightD. must, mightE. have to, should

3. Perhaps they said that. I can't remember now.

A. They might have said it.B. They should have it.C. They must have said it.D. They could have said it.E. They shall say it.

4. The doctor told me that I ______________ smoking.

A. Will likeB. Should stopC. Must tryD. Will beE. Shall try

5. My girlfriend ______________ to the party this weekend because she is scheduled to work.

A. Cant goB. Shouldnt driveC. Will goD. WasE. Couldnt go

6. We ought to win the race.What is the meaning of the modal sentence above?

A. We are able to win the race.B. We are supposed to win the race.C. We are allowed to win the race.D. We are agreed to win the race.E. We are prepared to win the race.

7. This computer ______________ better if it has more memory.

A. Cant moveB. Should goC. Will workD. Would workE. Shall work

8. If I don't stop at a gas station soon, I ____________ out of gas.

A. Might runB. Can beC. Will doD. Would runE. Ought to

9. The young woman called her boss to tell him that she _____________ late to work this morning.

A. Can beB. Must beC. Will beD. Shall beE. Could be

10. I didnt feel very well yesterday. I ________ eat anything.

A. CantB. CouldntC. Must notD. MightE. May be

11. You _______ look at me when I am talking to you.

A. CouldB. ShouldC. WouldD. MayE. Can

12. Please, do it for me!The correct modal form of the statement above is:

A. You must do it for me!B. Can you do it for me?C. You might do it for me.D. I may ask you to do it for me.E. Should you do it for me?

13. This car ________ be expensive. It's five years old.

A. CanB. CantC. MayD. ShallE. Might

14. I - ask - may her - ?

A. May I ask her?B. May ask her I?C. I ask may her?D. I may ask her?E. Her ask may I?

15. round - she - the corner - be must

A. Round the corner she must beB. She must be round the cornerC. Must she be round the cornerD. She must be the corner roundE. The round corner she must be

16. Don't park your car on bends. It is illegal. You _______ park your car on bends.

A. CouldntB. WouldC. ShouldD. CantE. Must not

17. Perhaps she will agree with it. Who knows? She ______ agree with it.

A. She would agree with it.B. She wouldve been agreed to it.C. She should agree with it.D. She could agree with it.E. She mightve been agreed with it.

18. Hiking the trail to the peak _______ be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You________ research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.

A. Could, wouldB. Might, mayC. Could, shouldD. Should, ought toE. Will, can

19. Dave: __________________.Nathan: No, I can't.

A. Could you hold your breath for more than 1 minute?B. Do you think you could hold your breath for more than 1 minute?C. I can hold my breath for more than 1 minute.D. Can you hold your breath for more than 1 minute?E. You should be able to hold your breath for more than 1 minute.

20. I couldnt believe she said that to Megan! She _____ insult her cooking in front of everyone at the party last night.

A. Must notB. CouldntC. ShouldntD. Didnt have toE. Wont

21. Look at that balloon. It's over there.

A. Can you see the balloon?B. Will you be able to see the balloon?C. Would you see the balloon?D. May I see the balloon?E. Do you think I could see the balloon?22. Leo: Where is the spatula? It _____ be in this drawer but it's not here.Nancy: I just did a load of dishes last night and they're still in the dish washer. It _____ be in there.

A. Should, couldB. Would, mayC. May, mightD. Should, mightE. Can, could.

23. Should I go to the cinema with them?The correct substitute for the modal form above is:

A. Am I allowed to go to the cinema with them?B. Do you think Im able to go to the cinema with them?C. Am I supposed to go to the cinema with them?D. Am I able to go to the cinema with them?E. Am I supposed to prefer going to the cinema with them?

24. A: When is Tom coming? B: He's on his way. He ________ be here any minute.

A. ShouldB. MustC. MayD. MightE. Could

25. Jeanette has made other plans, so she _____ come with us to the museum today.

A. May notB. WillC. Might notD. Ought toE. Should not

26. The book is optional. My professor said we _____ read it if we needed extra credit.

A. ShouldB. Ought toC. CouldD. WouldE. Must

27. Ned: Can I borrow your lighter for a minute?Stephen: Sure, no problem. _____________. I've given up smoking.A. You can keep it if you wantB. You could keep it if you wantC. You should take it if you wantD. You may take it if you wantE. You ought to keep it if.

28. Mrs. Scarlett's body was found in the lounge just moments ago, and it's still warm! Nobody has left the mansion this evening, so the killer _____ be someone in this room.

A. ShouldB. Ought toC. MightD. MustE. Would

29. When you have a small child in the house, you _____ leave small objects lying around.

A. Must notB. ShouldC. ShouldntD. CouldntE. Shall not

30. I am not good at football. I __________ play football.

A. CantB. CanC. CouldntD. Might notE. May not be able to

Answers

1. A2. D3. A4. B5. A6. B7. D8. A9. A10. B11. B12. B13. B.14. A.15. B16. E17. E18. C19. D20. D21. A22. D23. C24. A25. C26. C27. A28. D29. C30. A