Modal verbs - 1.c

Master modal verbs! Our worksheet offers clear exercises on ability, possibility, obligation & more. Perfect for practice.

Fill in the gaps with suitable modal verbs. e.g. Alice has trained as a scout so now she can teach courses herself. (ability) 1 It looks like it mightrain. We'd better take our umbrellas. (possibility)2 When John was little, he couldstand on his head. (past ability)3 MayI borrow some milk? (permission, more formal)4 You musthand in your paper on Monday. (obligation)5 Ann shouldsee a doctor about those headaches. (advice)6 We mustn'teat or drink in this room. (prohibition)7 Laura can'tbe more than 15. There's no way she's a university student. (negative certainty, impossibility)8 I cangive you a lift if you want. (offer) Choose the correct answer. 1 How _ you leave the house in such a mess? couldn't might could will 2 Dan _ be lazy but he is certainly not stupid. needn't mustn't should may 3 I _ speak some German, Italian and Spanish if I plan to travel to these three countries. can may should shouldn't 4 Don't ask that little kid anything. He _ give us the wrong directions. might should would will 5 You _ be serious about swimming outdoors in winter. would can't could might 6 Plants _ have sunlight in order to make food. can may must will 7 Our books are identical. Yours _ be in my bag if you can't find it. can will shall could 8 Parents _ take care of their children. may ought to mustn't shouldn't 9 _ you excuse me for a moment? Would Should Must Needn't 10 The baby _ stay up a bit longer if she takes a nap now. mustn't shouldn't can should 11 It's late and I am tired. We _ go home. can mustn't should needn't Fill in the correct form of can, could or be able. 1 Ben couldn'tride a bike until he was 11.2 CanI call you later tonight?3 CouldTony run long distances when he was a boy?4 Couldyou, please, call a tow truck for me? My car has broken down. (polite)5 The students weren't ableto buy their textbooks yesterday. The bookstore was completely out of them.6 Canyou teach me how to fix my computer? You're so good at it. (more informal)7 I called the customer three times but I wasn't ableto reach him.