Practice Test: Modal Verbs- 1 - Verbal MCQ

"I got a C on my math test. I should have done better than that."

"We use 'should have done' in this context because it expresses a sense of moral obligation or expectation. It implies that the speaker believes they had the ability or expectation to achieve a better result on the math test. It indicates a feeling of regret or disappointment that they did not perform as well as they believe they could or should have."

Don't be so hard on yourself. It may not have been your fault.

Here, "may" is used to convey a sense of possibility and to offer comfort and support to the listener by suggesting that the situation might not be entirely their fault.

In this sentence, we need to choose the correct form of the verb be to complete the sentence. The correct answer is could have been. Here is the detailed explanation:

The use of "could" suggests that there is a possibility or likelihood that the test was more difficult than usual. It acknowledges that there are various potential reasons for the outcome, and one of them is the difficulty level of the test.

The correct modal verb to use in this context is "should."

So the complete sentence would be: "The rest of the class did pretty well. I should have studied harder."

"Should" is used to express obligation, duty, or advisability.

What you could have done differently?

Here, "could have" is used here because it best conveys the idea of exploring alternative actions or choices in the past. It indicates that there were possibilities for different actions or decisions that could have been made.

No, I ought to copy them.

This modal verb expresses obligation or duty. When used in this context, it implies that there is a moral or social expectation for the speaker to copy the problems. It suggests that copying them is the right or appropriate thing to do based on some standard of behavior or responsibility.

Some of the problems which I got wrong must have come from that day.

This construction suggests a strong probability or inference. In this context, it indicates that it is highly likely or almost certain that some of the problems I got wrong originated from that day. The use of "must have" implies a logical deduction based on the circumstances.

‘Now I am here, I can give you your Christmas gift. Here it is.’

Can – giving the gift was not a possibility until the person arrived. Also acceptable is ‘shall’.

The use of "can" indicates that the speaker has the ability or capacity to give the Christmas gift now that they are present. It suggests that the speaker is capable of performing the action of giving the gift.

I could go to the club with you on Saturday, but I am visiting my parents and am not sure if they have made plans for me.

Could – there is a chance of going to the club, but it is not certain. Also acceptable is ‘might’.

In the response, I used the modal verb "can" to express possibility or ability. This modal verb indicates that the person has the capability or option to join at the club on Saturday, given that they are not certain about their parents' plans. It's a polite and open-ended way of suggesting that they are welcome to join if their situation allows. Using "can" in this context acknowledges the individual's agency and the uncertainty of their availability due to their parents' potential plans.

So the sentence would be: "When the lion attacks, the giraffe might escape. It has an even chance of doing so."

In this context, the appropriate modal verb to express the possibility of the giraffe's escape would be "might." Might is used to indicate a possibility or probability, and in this case, it suggests that the giraffe has an equal chance of escaping or not escaping from the lion's attack.

Might – the chance is equal. ‘Could’ is acceptable, although the implication is that it probably will not escape.