Modal Verbs Practice Test
1. Ted’s flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He _____________be exhausted after such a long flight.
a. must b. can c. had better
2. The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed extra credit. But we ___________read it if we don’t want to.
a. must not b. don’t have to c. cannot
3. Susan ____________hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so loudly.
a. couldn’t b. might not c. can’t
4. The television isn’t working. It _______________damaged during the move.
a. must be b must c. must have been
5. Kate: ___________hold your breath for more than a minute?
Jack: No, I can’t.
a. Are you able to b. Might you c. Can you
6. You ____________rich to be a success. Some of the most successful people I know haven’t got a penny to their name.
a. don’t have to b. shouldn’t c. can’t be
7. I’ve redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is wrong according to the answer key. The answer in the book _____________be wrong!
a. must b. should c. have to
8. You __________________do the job if you didn’t speak Japanese fluently.
a. can’t b. couldn’t c. won’t be able to
9. 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.
a. shouldn’t b. can’t c. don’t have to
10. You ___________________ be kidding! That can’t be true.
a. have to b. ought to c. should be
11. You ____________________leave the table once you have finished your meal and politely excused yourself.
a. may b. might c. would
12. Jenny’s engagement ring is enormous! It _______________a fortune.
a. must cost b. must have cost c. must be costing
13. _____________we move into the living room? It’s more comfortable in there and there’s a beautiful view of the lake.
a. Will b. Must c. Shall
14. If I had gone white water rafting with my friends, I _________________down the Colorado River right now.
a. would have float b. would float c. would be floating
15. At first, my boss didn’t want to hire Sam. But, because I had previously worked with Sam, I told my boss that he ________________take another look at his resume and reconsider him for the position.
a. must b. has to c. ought to
16. You ______________take along some cash. The restaurant may not accept credit cards.
a. had better b. can c. has to
17. The machine ____________________on by flipping this switch.
a. could be turning b. can be turned c. may turn
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.
a. have got to b. might c. had better
19. You __________________ forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very strict about paying on time.
a. don’t have to b. couldn’t c. mustn’t
20. Do you always have to say the first thing that pops into your head. You _____________ think once in a while before you speak?
a. must b. should c. have to
