Fill in the blanks with appropriate auxiliary verbs. Choose your answers from the options given in the brackets.

1. When I was young, I … (could / can / might) run four miles at a stretch.

2. Why … (could / can / will) you not attend the meeting yesterday?

3. The doctor said he … (will / would / shall) operate on the patient.

4. Behave towards others as you … (would / will / could) like them to behave towards you.

5. If I were a king, I … (will / can /would) make you my queen.

6. You … (can / must / should) take one of those books if you like.

7. I … (would / should / must) rather read a book than watch that ridiculous movie.

8. If I … (would / should / might) interrupt you for a moment, Sir, how is this new scheme going to improve the situation?

9. Farmers use fertilizers so that they … (may / should / would) have a rich harvest.

10. She says she … (can /must / might) have her own way in the matter.

Quiz: Modal Verbs

1. I am so angry with them. I … kill them!  

a. can; b. must; c. could; d. should; e. ought

2. I was surprised that she … say such rude words.  

a. must; b. would; c. will; d. should; e. have to

3.  Jack … go to hospital yesterday.  

a. must; b. should; c. had to; d. has to; e. need

4.  The situation was bad but it … worse.  

a. could; b. should be; c. would have been; d. can; e. could have been

5.  If you want to become a teacher, you … go to teachers training college for four years.  

a. may; b. must; c. have to; d. should; e. ought

6. Lisa … get bored in her job. Her job is so boring.  

a. would; b. should; c. can’t; d. must; e. should to

7.  I … to sleep recently.  

a. couldn’t; b. mustn’t; c. may; d. can’t; e. haven’t been able

8. I’ll ... go now. My friends are waiting.  

a. be able to; b. have to; c. must; d. has to; e. need 

9. … you help me carry this downstairs?

a. may; b. must; c. could; d. should; e. have to

10. We haven’t got much time. We … hurry.  

a. can’t; b. needn’t; c. can; d. must; e. should

11. He … speak three foreign languages.

a. can; b. may; c. must; d. don’t; e. not can

12. You…work hard at your English if you want to know it.

a. can; b. may; c. must; d. not must; e. not can

13. You…not go out, the lesson is not over yet.

a. can; b. could; c. have; d. may; e. has

14. He…be in this room.

a. must; b. is; c. has; d. have; e. am

15. The sky is dark. It…rain soon.

a. may; b. should; c. has to; d. have to; e. is

16. The lights are on. They… be at home.

a. may; b. not must; c. are to; d. not may; e. must

17. You …to come here again.

a. must; b. should; c. have; d. has; e. am

18. The water is cold , you…swim.

a. can; b. need; c. can’t; d. must; e. not must

19. You feel bad, you…see a doctor.

a. needn’t; b. mustn’t ; c. can’t ; d. can; e. should

20. …you help me?

a. not could; b. could; c. should; d. must; e. may

Complete the sentences with can/can't or be able + the verbs below

Speak help meet play relax run sing wait

1. I'm sorry, I … French. 2. I … you for lunch tomorrow. I'm free all day. 3. John … for months. His new job is very stressful. 4. Usain Bolt … really fast. He's the Olympic champion. 5. I … you with your homework if you're having problems.6. He used to … well, but now he sounds awful. 7. I … any more. Tell me the big news. 8. She … the piano since she broke her arm two months ago.

Complete the sentences below using `could/couldn't' or `was/were able to' + the verbs in brackets

1. Benjamin Franklin … (to speak) English and French. 2. I looked everywhere, but I … (to find) the right street. 3. … (you / to convince) her to go out with you? 4. Patricia used to be a professional dancer. She … (to dance) really well. 5. We … (to contact) you. Was your phone switched off? 6. At the end of the long meeting, we … (to make) a decision. 7. … (you / to hear) me last night? I was trying to be quiet. 8. My laptop wasn't working properly, but in the end I … (to fix) it.