The document provides examples of how the modal verbs "can", "could", "may", "might" are used to indicate capacity, permission, and possibility in English. It then provides practice questions to test understanding of these modal verbs. The modal verbs express concepts like ability, uncertainty, past ability, permission, and possibility depending on the context and tense. The questions test distinguishing between these modal verbs and their meanings in different sentences.

2. capacity
informal permission
poder
CAN
PRESENT

3. She cannot (can’t) solve it. (capacity)
Sarah can solve that problem. (capacity)
Can she really solve it? (capacity)
Of course, you can . (informal permission)
Can I turn on the TV? (informal
permission)

4. COULD
podia capacity in the past
PAST

5. Last week Windows could not (couldn’t)
start because had a configuration problem.
Could he have done a better job
yesterday ?

6. MAY
possibility
formal permission
poder

7. The explosion may have been caused by a
malfunction. (possibility)
May it cause a problem ? (possibility)
- May I come in?
- Yes, you may come in. (formal
permission)

8. MIGHT
uncertain possibilitypoderia
possibility
Past

9. I thought he might be hungry. (uncertain possibility)
Don't go any closer – it might/may be
dangerous. (possibility)

10. Complete with the correct form of "can" and "may“ .
1.She ________speak four languages. (capacity)
2.______I come in, Mr. president? (formal permission)
3._______ I press that key, teacher? (informal permission)
4.It_______happen to everyone. (possibility)
5.He________be telling the truth. (possibility)

11. 6.He _______ be telling lies, too. (possibility)
7. _______ you read that sign from this distance? (capacity)
8.The students ______ do it without your help Peter. (capacity)
9. ___ I use your computer for a moment, please ? (inf. permission)
10.You ______ try once more. (possibility)

12. (FMU) - You__________play tennis
better some years ago.
a)can
b)could
c)might
Test 1

13. (FMU) - They___________do this
tomorrow.
a) Can to
b) can
c)could
Test 2

14. (Makenzie) - In the sentence, "You may be
wrong, but you may be right." MAY means:
a) possibility
b) permission
c) ability
Test 3

15. Test 4
(Unirio) - Assinale a alternativa correta:
I'm sorry the train was late and I ...... arrive earlier
a) couldn't
b) may not
c) Might not

16. Test 5
(Unesp) - Universities abroad _______ requires a
more recent result when the IELTS was taken a
long time ago.
a) may
b) can
c) can’t

17. Test 6
(PucCamp) - Assinale a letra correspondente à alternativa que
preenche corretamente as lacunas da frase apresentada.
Janet: Look, our boat is sinking!
Peter: Oh, dear! Can you swim?
Janet: Yes, I Can.
In the above dialogue, the verb "CAN" express ...
a) obligation
b) permission
c) possibility
d) ability

18. Answers:
1- can
2- may
3- can
4- may
5- may
6- may
7- can
8- can
9- can
10- may
Test 1- C (might)
Test 2- B (can)
Test 3- A (possibility)
Test 4- A (couldn’t)
Test 5- A (may)
Test 6- D (ability)