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Unlocking modal mysteries a 15 question linguistic labyrinth

You can do this test before using the book to help you choose what to
study. Choose the correct answer, A, B or C, for each question. When
you have finished, check your answers by clicking "Check Answers"
button. The key tells you which units are most important for you.

1. I ____ drive a car; I haven't got a license.

'Can't' expresses inability. The sentence indicates a lack of ability to drive due to the absence of a license.

2. You ____ smoke in here; it's a no-smoking area.

'Mustn't' expresses prohibition or a strong obligation not to do something.

3. Which sentence correctly uses a modal verb to express permission?

'Can' indicates permission. 'Should', 'must', and 'might' express different meanings.

4. He ____ be tired; he's been working all day.

'Must' expresses logical deduction or strong probability.

5. She ____ go to the doctor; she's feeling unwell.

'Should' expresses advice or recommendation.

6. Which sentence correctly expresses a polite request?

'Could' is a more polite way to make a request than 'can'.

7. We ____ have finished our work by tomorrow.

'Should' expresses expectation or likelihood.

8. They ____ be at home; their car is in the driveway.

'Must' expresses a strong likelihood based on evidence.

9. I ____ go to the party; I'm not feeling well.

'Might not' expresses uncertainty or possibility of not doing something.

10. Which sentence correctly uses a modal verb to express necessity?

'Must' expresses necessity or obligation.

11. He ____ have forgotten his keys; he's trying to get in.

'Must' expresses a strong likelihood based on the context.

12. You ____ worry so much; everything will be alright.

'Shouldn't' expresses advice or a suggestion not to do something.

13. We ____ have booked the tickets earlier.

'Should have' expresses regret about a past action.

14. She ____ have studied harder for the exam.

'Should have' expresses a missed opportunity or a better course of action in the past.

15. Which sentence correctly expresses ability in the past?

'Could' is the past tense form of 'can' and expresses past ability.

Topics:

Present tenses

Past tenses 1

Present perfect

Present tenses 2

Future 1

Future 2

Countable and uncountable nouns

Referring to nouns

Pronouns and referencing

Adjectives and adverbs

Comparing things

The noun pharse

Modals 1

Modals 2

Reported speech

Verb + verb patterns

Likelihood based on conditions 1

Likelihood based on conditions 2

Presositions

Relative clauses

Ways of organising texts

The passive

Linking ideas

Showing your position in a text

Nominalisation in written English