Modals Expressing Ability and Possibility

Are you running in the big race tomorrow, Alan?

No, I'm not. I ______ run. I broke my foot on Saturday and now it's in a cast.

• can

• can't

• may

• may not

A: Where's Tracy? I've been looking for her all morning.

B: I haven't seen her. She _____ be sick.

• can

• can't

• might

• might not

A: I heard that Jessica has gotten a scholarship to Duke University!

B: It's not definite yet, but she _____ get one. The admissions office says that it's possible, and they will let us know next month.

• can

• can't

• might

• might not

A: Larry has been in New York for a couple of months. Is he going to stay there or return home?

B: It depends. If he _____ find a job there, he'll stay. If not, he'll come home.

• can

• can't

• may

• may not

A: Is Jodie a doctor now?

B: Not yet, but almost. She finished medical school last month, but she hasn't taken her exams yet. She _____ be a doctor until she passes them.

• can

• can't

• might

• might not

A: When are you going to sell your old car?

B: As soon as I _____ find someone to buy it!

• can

• can't

• may

• may not

A: How long will it take you to paint two small rooms?

B: I'm not sure. If the job is not complicated, I could finish by Thursday.

• was able to finish

• might finish

A: I think I'll take my umbrella. It could rain today.

• was able to rain

• might rain

My neice could read by the time she was four years old.

• was able to read

• might read

You could see that the little boy was unhappy because of the sad expression in his eyes.

• were able to see

• might see