This document provides a grammar exercise on modal verbs. It contains 6 sections: 1) choosing modal verbs to complete sentences, 2) rewriting sentences using modal verbs in brackets, 3) choosing modal verbs to complete sentences about climate change, 4) correcting underlined mistakes in sentences using modal verbs, 5) completing sentences with modal verbs from a word bank, and 6) completing sentences with suitable modal verbs according to the given meaning. The document tests understanding and use of modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, must, should, need to, have to, etc. in different syntactic contexts.

1. PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press 2015
Modal verbs
1 Choose the best answers to complete the sentences.
1 Can I / Am I able to have a replacement, please?
2 You need to be able to / manage to drive if you live in the
country.
3 I thought we were going to be late but we could / managed
to arrive on time.
4 You could have gone / were able to go to the supermarket for
me if you weren’t busy.
5 Could I have / Could I borrow your car at the weekend?
2 Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets.
1 It’s a good idea for you to talk to her. (should)
2 It’s OK. It’s not obligatory for you to give me the money
back. (needn’t)
3 It’s obligatory for us to do something about climate change.
(must)
4 It’s necessary for you to feed the cat before you go out.
(need)
5 It isn’t a good idea to put glass containers in with the
ordinary rubbish. (shouldn’t)
6 It’s not necessary for Jim to go to the supermarket. I’ve
already been. (have to)
7 We are not allowed to be late. (mustn’t)
8 It’s a really good idea for you to recycle more. (have)
3 Choose the best answers to complete the sentences.
1 Climate change a global disaster.
a should be b might be c must have been
2 We global warming if we had acted sooner.
a could have prevented b must have prevented
c can prevent
3 The planet permanently damaged.
a mustn’t have been b might have already been
c should already be
4 Our parents anything about the problem 50 years ago.
a might know b may not know c couldn’t have known
5 We fossil fuels forever.
a can’t continue burning b should continue burning
c must have burnt
6 We thinking about the issue.
a couldn’t have stopped b may stop c mustn’t stop
4 Correct the underlined mistakes in the sentences.
1 Don’t forget to take some money – you can need it.
2 Sam mustn’t be 16 already – don’t they grow up quickly!
3 I didn’t know! You must have told me!
4 We can’t get the chance to go on holiday this year, as we
don’t have much money.
5 Thank you! I couldn’t have did it without you.
5 Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
be able to can don’t need to have to might not
must mustn’t should
1 You light a fire here – it’s
illegal.
2 I do the shopping if you like –
I’ve got plenty of time.
3 I have lots of work to do so I
go to the festival.
4 You help with the cooking –
I’ll do it by myself.
5 I need to borrow some tools in order to
fix my bike.
6 You choose the one you like
not the one everyone tells you to choose.
7 They move to a smaller
house now that Dan has lost his job.
8 You stop getting stressed –
it’s affecting your health.
6 Complete the sentences with a suitable modal verb
according to the meaning given in brackets.
1 We reduce greenhouse gases. (strong
obligation)
2 It work; but then again maybe not. (possibility)
3 You talk to him and tell him how you feel.
(advice)
4 It been John because he’s in Germany.
(impossibility)
5 George arrived by now – it’s 5 pm. (certainty)
6 The police stopped us – we go any closer. (no
permission)
7 I look at your newspaper, please? (permission)
8 You finish that until next month.
(no obligation)
Unit 2Grammar practice – reinforcement