MUST HAVE BEEN
MODALS
AND SKELETONS
Modal Final Test
Modals and Related Expressions
must
1. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He ________________
be
exhausted after such a long flight.
must
can
had better
2. The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed extra credit.
don’t have to
But we ________________
read it if we don't want to.
cannot
must not
don't have to
couldn’t
3. Susan ________________
hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so
loudly.
couldn't
might not
can't
must have been damaged during the move.
4. The television isn't working. It ________________
must have been
must
must be
Can you
5. A: ________________
hold your breath for more than a minute?
B: No, I can't.
Are you able to
Might you
Can you
2
6. You ________________
don’t have to
be rich to be a success. Some of the most successful
people I know haven't got a penny to their name.
can't
don't have to
shouldn't
7. I've redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is wrong
must
according to the answer key. The answer in the book ________________
be wrong!
have to
must
should
couldn’t
8. You ________________
do the job if you didn't speak Japanese fluently.
can't
won't be able to
couldn't
9. You ________________
shouldn’t
worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either you get
the job, or you don't. If you don't, just apply for another one. Eventually, you will find
work.
shouldn't
don't have to
can't
have to
10. You ________________
be kidding! That can't be true.
should
have to
ought to
may
11. You ________________
leave the table once you have finished your meal and
politely excused yourself.
would
might
may
must have cost a fortune.
12. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It ________________
must cost
must be costing
must have cost
3
13. ________________
Shall
we move into the living room? It's more comfortable in there and
there's a beautiful view of the lake.
Shall
Must
Will
would be floating down the
14. If I had gone white water rafting with my friends, I ________________
Colorado River right now.
would have float
would be floating
would float
15. At first, my boss didn't want to hire Sam. But, because I had previously worked with
ought to
Sam, I told my boss that he ________________
take another look at his resume and
reconsider him for the position.
must
ought to
has to
had better take along some cash. The restaurant may not accept credit cards.
16. You ___________
had better
has to
can
can be turned on by flipping this switch.
17. The machine ________________
may turn
could be turning
can be turned
have got to
18. I can't stand these people - I ________________
get out of here. I'm going to take off
for awhile while you get rid of them.
might
have got to
had better
mustn’t
19. You ________________
forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very strict
about paying on time.
4
mustn't
don't have to
couldn't
20. Do you always have to say the first thing that pops into your head.
can’t
________________
you think once in a while before you speak?
Can not
Can't
Don't can
21. Terry and Frank said they would come over right after work, so they
should
________________
be here by 6:00.
have to
can
should
had to
22. Yesterday, I ________________
cram (=bubati) all day for my French final. I
didn't get to sleep until after midnight.
had to
should
must
shall
23. We ________________
no longer suffer the injustice of oppression! Freedom
shall be ours!
would
might
shall
could have
24. If I had gone to the University of Miami, I ________________
participated in
their Spanish immersion program.
could
could have
could be
might not
25. The lamp ________________
be broken. Maybe the light bulb just burned out.
might not
must not
could not
5
may
had better
have got to
shall
1. I know it's rather rude, but MAY I ask you where you purchased that pocket
watch? I have been looking for one like that for my father.
2. You HAD BETTER
look good for your interview if you want to get the sales
job. You wear the the white shirt and the maroon tie. I think that'll look really
professional.
3. I HAVE GOT TO be at work tomorrow by 7:00. I
marketing presentation to one of our clients.
HAVE GOT TO
give a
4. It's pretty hot in the desert at this time of year. If we are going to do some hiking,
we HAD BETTER take at least two or three quarts of water with us. Actually, it MAY
be hotter than we expect out there - maybe we should take a gallon or more.
5. You MAY leave the table once you have finished your meal and politely excused
yourself.
6. MAY I try a little of your Black Forest cake? I looks absolutely delicious - I ‘VE GOT
TO
taste it!
7. I'm not really sure if Susan is going to go snow boarding with us or not. She MAY
6
decide to stay here and study for her Japanese final. She HAS GOT TO get a good
score on the test if she wants to qualify to study abroad in Tokyo next semester
may had better have got to shall
8. MAY I have a look at that necklace there in the display case? It's exactly what
I've been looking for.
9. You HAVE GOT TO be joking! If you think I'm going to give you a tip after you
mixed up the meal orders, spilled wine on me and insulted my wife, you get your
head examined!!!
10. Ian, Evelyn and Deborah will be attending the conference. I SHALL be
attending as well.
might
should
must
1. Nancy said you didn't need to buy her anything for her birthday, but I really think you
might
___________
at least get her some flowers or a nice bottle of wine.
should
2. Debbie said she was really busy this week, but I think she ______________
show up
at the party if she doesn't have to work overtime on Friday.
might
3. Nina said she would come over right after work, so she _________________
be here
by 6:00.
might
4. Oh my God, he's unconscious. Don't move him - he __________________
have 7
internal injuries. Somebody call an ambulance.
might
should
must
5. You __________________
must
be kidding! That can't be true.
6. For most people, learning a language is a challenging undertaking. Experts agree
that to make the most of your language learning experience, you ______________
must
practice the language regularly and push yourself to maintain old vocabulary while
acquiring new words and expressions.
7. New research suggests that exercise can reduce the chance of heart disease as
well as cancer. That's why I told my father that he _____________
start walking once
should
a day.
8. We should invite Sally and her husband to come to the picnic on Saturday. We
might
haven't seen them in weeks, and they ________________
really enjoy a nice day at
the beach.
9. A: While I was a student, I spent a year and a half studying pygmy culture in the
Central African Republic. My research focused on unique aspects of the their social
structure and religion.
B: That _________________
have been absolutely fascinating!
must
10. We had better call Tony to see if he's at home before we go over to his house. 8He
might not be there and we don't want to drive all the way over there for nothing.
____________
might
should
must
11. At first, my boss didn't want to hire Sam. But, because I had previously worked
should
with Sam, I told my boss that he ______________
take another look at his resume
and reconsider him for the position.
shouldn’t
12. You _______________
worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either you
get the job, or you don't. If you don't, just apply for another one. Eventually, you will
find work.
13. I would love to go on the cruise to Tahiti with Robin and Michelle. But such a
must
luxurious trip ______________
cost a fortune. I doubt I could afford something like
that.
14. The book recommends adding fresh soil and using plant food to make your
garden flowers grow. Since some people might be allergic to chemicals in artificial
should
plant foods, the book says that you ______________
use an organic brand to avoid
skin irritations.
9
would
could
should
might
could
1. Donna: If I won the ten million dollar lottery jackpot, I __________
afford to quit my
job and travel the world.
Sam: Where _____________
you go if you had that much money?
would
might
Donna: I don't know, I ______________
choose to spend a year in Paris - or perhaps
would
I ___________
go to Kenya.
Sam: How often do you buy lottery tickets?
should
Donna: Never... I guess if I want to win the lottery, I ____________
try buying some
tickets.
Sam: That ___________
help.
would
2. Waitress: Hi, my name is Sandy - I'll be your waitress tonight. What can I get for
you?
Tony: I haven't decided yet. Is there anything you ____________
recommend? Is
could
10
should
there anything you think I ___________
try?
would
could
should
might
Waitress: You ____________
try the catfish - or perhaps the Gumbo (=fish soup).
could
They're both delicious.
might
Tony: That sounds wonderful, but that ___________
be a little too spicy for me.
Could
Actually, the prawns sound good. ___________
I have the barbecued prawns?
would
Waitress: Sure, ___________
you like a salad with that?
should
3. Jan: What __________
we look for in a candidate when we vote in a presidential
election?
should
Peter: I think citizens __________
vote for a President who has the ability to improve
the quality of life in the United States.
would you do if you were President of the United States?
Jan: What __________
Peter: I _____________
focus on environmental pollution.
would
Jan: Every candidate always says he's going to do that, but it's a really complicated
could
problem - there's not one which is easily solved. What makes you think you _______
actually stop pollution?
11
Modals and Related Expressions
1. I'm not really sure where Beverly is. She __________________
might be sitting
in the living room,
or perhaps she's in the backyard.
might sit
might be sitting
might have sat
must have returned the video we rented on his way to work. It was on the
2. Doug __________________
table, but now it's gone.
must have returned
must not have returned
must return
ought to check
3. You __________________
the air pressure in your tires. You don't want to get a
flat tire on your trip.
ought to be checking
ought to check
ought to checked
must have been damaged during production.
4. The computer isn't working. It ________________________
can be damaged
should have been damaged
must have been damaged
should be delivered
5. The package ________________________
tomorrow afternoon. It was sent by
express mail this morning.
should be delivered
should have been delivered
should be delivering
12
have to book
6. You __________________
the tickets for the play in advance - they sell out quickly.
have to book
has to book
have to be booked
have got to be joking
7. You can't mean that! You ______________________.
must joke
have to have joked
have got to be joking
must still be waiting
8. If Debbie hasn't come home yet, she ______________________
for us in the coffee
shop.
must still wait
must still be waiting
must still have waited
had to stay
9. Mike decided not to join us for lunch. He __________________
at work to finish the
marketing report.
should have been staying
had to stay
should have stayed
would be lying
10. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I __________________
on a white sand
beach right now.
would be lying
would lie
would have lain
would not have had to come to
11. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I ______________________
work this week.
would not must
would have had to
would not have had to
could have taken scuba diving
12. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I __________________
lessons.
13
might be taken
ought to be taking
could have taken
13. Margaret agreed to meet us at the entrance to the theater. She _________________
ought to be waiting
for us when we get there.
ought to be waiting
ought to wait
ought to have waited
might have been
14. It __________________
Sam who called and didn't leave a message on the
answering machine. He said he wanted to get together with us this weekend.
ought to be
might have been
should have been
can be turned
15. The machine __________________
on by flipping this switch.
can turn
can be turned
can be turning
might have been crying That could have been why her eyes were so red
16. She ______________________.
and swollen.
has to be crying
could be crying
might have been crying
must have been very upset.
17. If she was crying, she __________________
must have been
shall be
would have been
14
might not have been painted by Picasso. It could be a forgery.
18. That painting ___________________________
might be painting
might not paint
might not have been painted
19. Your diving equipment __________________
regularly if you want to keep it in
must be cleaned
good condition.
must be cleaned
must have been cleaned
must have been being
cleaned
might have been waiting
20. If I hadn't taken a taxi, I _________________________
for you at the train station
for hours.
might have been waiting ought to have been
waiting
had to have waited
AND NOW THE ....
15
Write out a composition from the following skeleton:
- first thing - soldier - must learn - when - go - army - obey - orders -. - if
- told - do - something -, - must do - without - ask - questions -. - Jim - find very - difficult - do -. - often - not do - what - order - do -, - so - punish -: sometimes - have to - clean - floors -, - sometimes - do - unpleasant jobs camp kitchens -, - sometimes - march about - while - friends - rest -. - after few weeks -, - decide - become - good soldier - do - exactly - what - order - do - soon - put - in - group - soldiers - job - paint - army trucks -. - officer tell - him - paint - one - trucks - dark green -.
"- which part - want - me - paint -, - sir -?" - Jim -, - officer - hurry -, - so
- shout -, "- every part -!" - Jim - want - be - sure - before - begin -, - so that - do
- exactly - what - order - do -. "- every part - truck -, - sir -?" - ask -.
"- yes -, - every part -!" - officer - shout - more loudly - before -. "- and not stop - till - finish - whole truck -.„
- well -, - Jim - decide - obey - all orders - exactly -, - so - begin - paint truck - dark green -. - paint - body - truck -, - then - paint - wheels - and - tires and - lights - and - all - windows -. - after -, - start - paint - inside - truck -. - paint
- seats - and - steering - wheel - and - insides - windows -. - when - finish -, every part - truck - dark green -, - inside - outside - . - poor Jim - soon - clean floors - do - dirty jobs - kitchens - again -.
16
Write out a composition from the following skeleton:
- one day - Jimmy - very excited - when - come - home - school -.
"- hallo -, - Jimmy -," - mother -. "- what - happen -? - why - so - excited -?"
"- oh -, - Mummy -." - answer -, "- teacher - have - beautiful, white
rabbit - name - Snowball -. - not want - him - more -. - so - going - put - all our
names - in hat -, - then - take - one - out -. - boy - whose name it - is - get Snowball -. - but - before - any - name - put - hat -, - must have - letter - from parents - say - may keep - Snowball - if - win -." - Jimmy's parents - already two dogs - and - cat -, - enough trouble - without - rabbit - as well -, - so mother - not very pleased - when - hear - Snowball -, - but - think - quickly then - say -, "- how many - boys - your class -, - Jimmy -?"
"- thirty -," - answer -. "- why -, - Mummy -?"
"- not - matter -," - say -. "- I - give - letter -." - she - not want - say - no
- Jimmy -, - and - think - that -, - with - twenty-nine - other - in - class -, - not at all - probable - Jimmy - win - rabbit -. - so - Jimmy - go - off - school - next
morning - very excited - with - letter - for - teacher -. - arrive - back - afternoon
-, - run - kitchen - say - mother -, "- Snowball - mine -! - Snowball - mine -!" so excited - hardly - able - speak -.
- mother - hardly - believe -. "- mean - out of - all - thirty - in - class you - win -?" - say -. "- well -." - answer -, "- not exactly - win -. - I - only boy
17 class - bring - letter - which - teacher - ask -."
Write out a composition from the following skeleton:
-Joan - doctor - work - hospital -. - very fond hunting -, - and - whenever - have - free day -, - go forest - with - gun -. - as - hunting - sport - which - very few women - do -, she - always - try - hard - avoid - make - silly - mistakes - when - hunting - with
- men -, - because - not want - them - think -, "- that - exactly - what - expect woman - do -!" - was - one man - who - hunt - deer - with her - several times and - who - say - she - just as good - at - as - any man -. - one morning - this
man -, - name - Bob -, - invite - her - hunt - deer - with -, - so - go - forest together -. - suddenly - see - big deer - come - towards -, - and - Bob - whisper
- her -, "- yours -!" - Joan - put - gun - shoulder -, -aim - carefully - press trigger -. - nothing - happen -. - try - again -, - again - gun - not fire - . - this
time -, - deer - smell - Joan - Bob - run - away -.
- of course -, - Bob - very surprised -. - take - Joan's gun -, - open and - catch - shell - as - come - out -. - look - at - several - seconds - mouth open -. - seem - not - believe - what - see -. - then - begin - laugh - loudly -. Joan - take - shell - from -, - look - look - at - see - not - shell - at all -, - but lipstick -, - which - exactly - same size - shape - shells - her gun -. - face - very
red - as - remember -, - when - put - on - coat - that morning -, - put - lipstick
18 one - pockets - which - keep - shells -.
Write out a composition from the following skeleton:
- Sunday morning -. - old gentleman - sit - bench - park -, - enjoy sun -, - when - see - young father - walk - slowly - towards - along - path - with
- baby son -. - seem - talk - very happily - each other -.
"- suppose - he - take - son - walk - while - wife - cook - lunch -," think - old gentleman -. "- child - enjoy - sun -, - mother - free - do - work -."
- just then -, - baby - begin - cry - loudly -. - old - gentleman - see - that
- child - want - go - down - towards - lake -, - while - father - want - start - go home -.
"- suppose - lunch - soon - ready -," - think - old gentleman -, "- and - if
- they - late -, - spoil -, - and - mother - angry - with - husband -."
- baby - cry louder - louder - become - angrier - angrier - as young
father - quietly - go - on - refuse - let - go - down - lake -. - old gentleman very interested - see - how - young father - behave - child -. - not shout - or become - angry -, - but - say - again - again -, - quite voice -, "- all right -, - Joe
19
-. - keep - calm -, - Joe -. - not - get - excited -, - Joe -.
- old gentleman - very pleased - see - such - wise father -, - so - get - up -, - go towards - and - say - with - lot - feeling -," - may - congratulate -, - sir -!
- behave - wonderfully -. - you - know - how - treat - your child - very well
-. - so calm - with -. - so - little boy's name - Joe -, -?"
"- no -, - not -. - answer -. "- his name - Dick -. I - Joe."
Thank you for your attention!