Olga Chofre 2ºBACH D

MODAL VERBS EXERCISES

Gap-fill Exercise

Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below. Some gaps may have more than one correct
answer.

can     could     have to     must     might     should

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

2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you should walk downtown and explore the
waterfront.

3. Hiking the trail to the peak can be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You
should research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.

4. When you have a small child in the house, you mustn´t leave small objects lying around. Such objects could
be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.

5. Dave: Can you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Nathan: No, I can't.

6. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It must have cost a fortune.

7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don't get enough water, they might die.

8. I could speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada,
I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I can just say
a few things in the language.

9. The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed extra credit. But we don´t have to read
it if we don't want to.
10. Leo: Where is the spatula? It should 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 might be in there. That's the
only other place it could be.

11. You should take your umbrella along with you today. The weatherman on the news said there's a storm north
of here and it might rain later on this afternoon.

12. Could we pull over at the next rest stop? I really must use the bathroom and I don't know if I can hold it until
we get to Chicago.

13. Oh no! Frank's wallet is lying on the coffee table. He must have left it here last night.

14. Ned: Can I borrow your lighter for a minute?

Stephen: Sure, no problem. Actually, you can keep it if you want to. I've given up smoking.

15. I can´t believe she said that to Megan! She shouldn´t have insult her cooking in front of everyone at the
party last night. She must have just said she was full or had some salad if she didn't like the meal.

16. Do you have to chew with your mouth open like that? Geez, it's making me sick watching you eat that piece
of pizza.

must     have to

Olga Chofre 2ºBACH D
1. I must be at the meeting by 10:00. I will probably have to take a taxi if I want to be on time.

2. You mustn´t submit the application if it has not been completely filled out. Check that the name, address, and
background information are correct. If the form is not accurate and complete, you will be rejected and you will
have to reapply at a later date.

3. Tina: Look at these flowers - they're beautiful! But, there's no card. Who could have sent them?
Stephanie: It must have been David. He's the only one who would send you flowers.

4. You mustn’t forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very strict about paying on time.

5. You don´t have to be so rude! Why don't you try saying "please" once in a while.

6. If you are over 18 in California, you don´t have to take a driver training course to get a driver's license. You
can have a friend or a family member teach you instead. But remember, you must still get your permit before you
start practicing.

7. You don´t have to be rich to be a success. Some of the most successful people I know haven't got a penny to
their name.

8. Ed: My car broke down in Death Valley last week. I had to have it towed more than a hundred miles to the
nearest mechanic.
Lilly: That must have cost a fortune!

9. While hiking in Alaska, you have to keep an eye out for bears. If you see one, you mustn´t approach it. They
are beautiful animals; however, they are wild and unpredictable in nature. You don’t have to be afraid of them,
but educating yourself about the dangers can help keep you safe.

10. I don´t have to go to work tomorrow because it is Memorial Day. The best thing about a day off from work is
that I don´t have to get up at 6:00; I can sleep in till noon if I want to.

11. Yesterday, I had to cram all day for my French final. I didn't get to sleep until after midnight.

12. Nate: Oh no! I completely forgot we were supposed to pick Jenny up at the airport.
Barbara: She must still be sitting there waiting for us.

13. Ingrid received a scholarship to Yale University which will cover 100% of the tuition. She doesn´t have to
worry at all about the increasing cost of education.

14. When I was a child my grandmother was continually correcting our manners. She always used to say, "One
mustn’t eat with one's mouth open." Or, she would correct us by saying, "One mustn´t rest one's elbows on the
table." And every time I wanted to leave the table, she would say, "One must ask to be excused."

15. I've redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is wrong according to the answer key. The
answer in the book must be wrong!

might      must     should

1. Nancy said you didn't need to buy her anything for her birthday, but I really think you should at least get her
some flowers or a nice bottle of wine.
Olga Chofre 2ºBACH D
2. Debbie said she was really busy this week, but I think she might show up at the party if she doesn't have to
work overtime on Friday.

3. Nina said she would come over right after work, so she should be here by 6:00.

4. Oh my God, he's unconscious. Don't move him - he might have internal injuries. Somebody call an ambulance.

5. You must be kidding! That can't be true.

6. Dan: Where's the remote control? I want to change the channel.

Fiona: I don't know. It might be under the couch. Or, perhaps I absent-mindedly took it into the kitchen. I'll check
in there.

7. For most people, learning a language is a challenging undertaking. Experts agree that to make the most of your
language learning experience, you must practice the language regularly and push yourself to maintain old
vocabulary while acquiring new words and expressions.

8. New research suggests that exercise can reduce the chance of heart disease as well as cancer. That's why I told
my father that he should start walking once a day.

9. We should invite Sally and her husband to come to the picnic on Saturday. We haven't seen them in weeks, and
they might really enjoy a nice day at the beach.

10. Tim: While I was a student, I spent a year and a half studying Pygmy culture in the Central African Republic.
My research focused on unique aspects of the their social structure and religion.
Simona: That must have been absolutely fascinating!

11. We had better call Tony to see if he's at home before we go over to his house. He might not be there and we
don't want to drive all the way over there for nothing.

12. At first, my boss didn't want to hire Sam. But, because I had previously worked with Sam, I told my boss that
he should take another look at his resume and reconsider him for the position.

13. You shouldn´t worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either you get the job, or you don't. If you don't,
just apply for another one. Eventually, you will find work.

14. I would love to go on the cruise to Tahiti with Robin and Michelle. But such a luxurious trip must cost a
fortune. I doubt I could afford something like that.

15. The book recommends adding fresh soil and using plant food to make your garden flowers grow. Since some
people might be allergic to chemicals in artificial plant foods, the book says that you should use an organic brand
to avoid skin irritations.