Test J Modal verbs
A Decide which word is correct.
♦♦ Could I have some more tea, please?
a) Could b) Shall c) Will d) Would
1 Everyone’s asleep. We make a noise.
a) couldn’t b) mustn’t c) needn’t d) wouldn’t
2 you like to go for a ride with us?
a) Do b) Should c) Will d) Would
3 I wonder if this is the right way. It not be.
a) can b) could c) might d) must
4 I don’t think I want to see this film. ~ Oh, I think you enjoy it.
a) can b) shall c) will d) would
5 I’m quite happy to walk. You drive me home.
a) don’t b) haven’t c) mustn’t d) needn’t
6 I show you the way? ~ Oh, thank you.
a) Do b) Shall c) Will d) Would
7 It’s late. I think we better go.
a) had b) have c) should d) would
8 We all tried to push the van, but it move.
a) can’t b) couldn’t c) won’t d) wouldn’t
B Some of these sentences are correct, and some have a word which should not be there.
If the sentence is correct, put a tick (✓). If it is incorrect, cross the unnecessary word
out of the sentence and write it in the space.
♦♦ I won’t be able to come to the meeting. ✓
♦♦ We didn’t needn’t have watered the garden because it’s raining. didn’t
1 Would you like to be in the team?
2 Did people have to bring their own sleeping bags?
3 I could to ski when I was quite young.
4 Would you mind for checking these figures?
5 We may be go swimming tomorrow.
6 I knew that I would be sorry later.
7 If you had fallen, you could have been hurt yourself.
8 We’re not supposed to use this entrance.
9 You don’t have to do all the work yourself.
10 Anna wasn’t be allowed to take photos.
C Write a second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use the word in brackets.
♦♦ Perhaps Lucy knows the address. (may)
Lucy may know the address.
1 We should be careful. (ought)
19 Oxford Practice Grammar • Intermediate • Test J Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2019
2 I managed to finish all my work. (able)
3 I realize that it was a terrible experience for you. (must)
4 It’s against the rules for players to have a drink. (allowed)
5 The best thing for you to do is sit down. (better)
6 The report must be on my desk tomorrow morning. (has)
7 It is possible that Joanne did not receive my message. (might)
8 It’s impossible for Martin to be jogging in this weather. (can’t)
9 Tessa wants a cup of coffee. (like)
10 It was not necessary for Isabelle to clean the flat. (didn’t)
D Say what the speaker is doing. After each sentence write one of the phrases from the box.
asking for advice giving an order making a suggestion refusing permission asking permission
inviting offering food expressing a wish making a request offering to help
♦♦ Will you have a piece of cake? offering food
1 May I sit down?
2 You must report to me every day.
3 What jobs should I apply for?
4 Would you like to spend the day with us?
5 Shall I do the washing-up?
6 Shall we sit outside?
7 I’m sorry. You can’t park here.
8 Could you fill in this form, please?
9 We really must have a nice big party.
E Here is some information for visitors to New York City.
Write the missing words. Use one word only in each space.
Before you travel to the US, you ♦ must find out what documents you need. You’ll
probably 1 to get a visa, but there are different rules for different nationalities. For
example, you 2 need to show that you have enough money with you. But there’s
one rule you can be sure about: everyone 3 to show their passport.
The roads in New York are very busy, but don’t worry – you 4 get around cheaply
and easily by subway. Remember that you are not 5 to smoke on public transport
or in shops. And don’t forget either that you are 6 to tip taxi drivers and waiters.
New York is much less dangerous than it used to be, but you really 7 walk
along empty streets at night. Keep electronic devices out of sight. And it is safer if you are
8 to travel around in a group.
20 Oxford Practice Grammar • Intermediate • Test J Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2019
