Common Core Practice: Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Which sentences contains an auxiliary verb?

(1) Rae and her mother need to find a birthday gift for Rae's father, Joseph. (2) They discussed shopping online, walking to the store in their neighborhood, or going to the mall to find the gift. (3) Because Rae's mother suffers from arthritis, I don't think they will walk to the store to buy the gift. (4) They may decide it's most efficient to buy the gift online.

• sentence 1

• sentences 2 and 3

• sentence 4

• sentences 3 and 4

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1E

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.2.6

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.4.1B

What is the purpose of the modal auxiliary verb, "may," in the sentence?

Oliver may go to school tomorrow if his fever has dissipated.

• It is being used to express doubt.

• It is being used to talk about a future event with uncertainty.

• It is being used to talk about something that will definitely happen.

• It is being used to talk about something that definitely will not happen.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Liam can have taken the test before he went on vacation, but he did not inform his teacher about the trip in advance.

Replace "can" with the correct verb in the sentence.

• will

• must

• can't

• could

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

What is the auxiliary modal verb in the sentence?

Dana had to leave the party when her mother called to inform her of an emergency at home.

• called to

• at

• had to

• will

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Choose the sentence that contains a modal auxiliary verb.

• You shouldn't have handled your disagreement with physical violence.

• I want to have a birthday party.

• Everyone needs to look up.

• That is the most beautiful painting I have ever seen.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Choose the sentence that contains a modal auxiliary verb.

• You are a very good reader.

• Sara is having a great time on her Hawaiian vacation.

• I am not a big fan of Justin Beiber.

• You could be a really good student if you applied yourself to your studies.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Choose the sentence that contains a modal auxiliary verb.

• Jerome has potential to be an excellent science fiction writer.

• Margaret is the most beautiful dancer on the stage.

• I shall never think another bad thought again.

• Jenny is eating a sandwich for dinner.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

(1) If I could dine with any person, living or dead, I would choose Maya Angelou. (2) She endured hardships in her life but went on to become one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. (3) I will ask her what inspired her most.

"Will" is not the best verb choice in the 3rd sentence. What word should the speaker have used instead to express possibility rather than certainty?

• can

• may

• shall

• would

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Why did Marvin's mother respond this way?

"Can you hand me that apple?" Marvin asked his mother.

"Yes," she answered. But she didn't move a muscle.

• She had an extremely long and tiring day at work. Marvin's mother did not want to hand him the apple.

• Marvin's mother recognizes she can hand him the apple and knows there is a better way for him to ask using the word "will".

• Marvin's mother does not approve of apples.

• She thinks Marvin should have to get his own apple.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a modal auxiliary verb.

• I might have to see a doctor if this headache does not go away.

• I shall all the items on the menu.

• She musted remembered to lock the front door before leaving for work each day.

• Her might need to go to the school for a conference tomorrow.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B