Modal verbs – English Grammar Test for A2

Grammar » Grammar Test for A2 » Modal verbs – English Grammar Test for A2

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1 She ___ speak Spanish when she was five.
a) can
b) could
c) must

2 You ___ eat too much fast food. It’s not healthy.
a) should not
b) could not
c) may not

3 ___ I borrow your pen, please?
a) Should
b) May
c) Must

4 It’s late. We ___ hurry or we will miss the train.
a) must
b) can
c) may

5 Don’t worry. You ___ pay now. You can pay later.
a) must
b) don’t have to
c) should

6 When she was young, she ___ play the piano very well.
a) can
b) could
c) should

7 You ___ smoke here. It’s forbidden.
a) mustn’t
b) couldn’t
c) shouldn’t

8 He is very strong. He ___ carry that heavy box easily.
a) must
b) can
c) should

9 I feel sick. I ___ see a doctor.
a) should
b) can
c) may

10 Yesterday the weather was nice, so we ___ go swimming.
a) could
b) must
c) may

11 This test is very easy. You ___ pass it.
a) can
b) must
c) should

12 Students ___ wear uniforms at my school. It’s the rule.
a) can
b) must
c) may

13 I’m not sure, but it ___ rain tomorrow.
a) may
b) must
c) should

14 He is late again. He ___ be stuck in traffic.
a) must
b) can
c) may

15 If you want to be healthy, you ___ eat more vegetables.
a) should
b) mustn’t
c) could

16 You look tired. You ___ go to bed early tonight.
a) should
b) mustn’t
c) can

17 Excuse me, ___ I ask you a question?
a) should
b) must
c) may

18 Children ___ cross the street alone. It’s dangerous.
a) shouldn’t
b) mustn’t
c) couldn’t

19 We ___ finish the project by tomorrow. The teacher said it’s the deadline.
a) must
b) can
c) should

20 If you have free time, you ___ visit the new museum. It’s interesting.
a) mustn’t
b) should
c) couldn’t

21 I’m sorry, I ___ help you yesterday because I was very busy.
a) can’t
b) couldn’t
c) mustn’t

22 You ___ touch that wire. It’s dangerous.
a) mustn’t
b) shouldn’t
c) may not

23 We have a lot of time. We ___ wait.
a) must
b) can
c) don’t have to

24 She ___ speak three languages: English, French, and Italian.
a) can
b) must
c) should

25 He looks pale. He ___ be ill.
a) may
b) should
c) mustn’t

26 You ___ park here. It’s only for buses.
a) mustn’t
b) don’t have to
c) shouldn’t

27 You ___ finish your homework before you play outside.
a) should
b) must
c) could

28 This restaurant is very popular. You ___ book a table in advance.
a) should
b) mustn’t
c) may

29 She ___ be very tired. She has worked all day.
a) must
b) should
c) can

30 I ___ swim when I was a child, but now I can.
a) couldn’t
b) mustn’t
c) shouldn’t

Answer

1 b) could – Past ability.
2 a) should not – Giving advice.
3 b) May – Asking permission politely.
4 a) must – Strong necessity.
5 b) don’t have to – Not necessary.
6 b) could – Past ability.
7 a) mustn’t – Prohibition.
8 b) can – Present ability.
9 a) should – Giving advice.
10 a) could – Past possibility.
11 c) should – Expectation.
12 b) must – Obligation.
13 a) may – Possibility.
14 a) must – Logical conclusion.
15 a) should – Advice.
16 a) should – Advice.
17 c) may – Asking permission politely.
18 b) mustn’t – Strong prohibition.
19 a) must – Obligation/deadline.
20 b) should – Recommendation.
21 b) couldn’t – Past impossibility.
22 a) mustn’t – Strong prohibition.
23 c) don’t have to – Not necessary.
24 a) can – Present ability.
25 a) may – Possibility.
26 a) mustn’t – Prohibition.
27 b) must – Obligation/requirement.
28 a) should – Good idea/advice.
29 a) must – Strong logical conclusion.
30 a) couldn’t – Past inability.

Tests:   12345678910