Modals of deduction (practice)

The house is dark and all the windows are open. It ______ have been raining heavily.

She left her umbrella and raincoat at school. She _______ be worried about them.

Modal verbs of deduction can only be used to make present tense deductions.

• True

• false

The library is closed, and all the lights are off. What is the most likely deduction? (Choose one)

• Someone must be working late.

• They could be having a power outage.

• It must be open, but with the lights off.

• They're probably closed for the weekend.

The pizza box is empty, and I hear movie sounds coming from the living room. They _______ be watching a movie and eating pizza.

The lights are on, but no one is answering the door. They _______ be out for a walk.

Answer explanation

Is might, we can't be sure they're out for a walk, maybe they're at home asleep. "Might" expresses possibility.

"Mustn't" expresses when we are sure that something is not true.

• false

• true

Answer explanation

Remember, we use can’t in that case, not mustn’t.

You see a person wearing a chef's uniform and carrying a box of vegetables. What is the most likely deduction?

• • He must be a chef.

• He could be going to cook dinner.

• • He must be delivering groceries.

• He probably just going home from work.

Answer explanation

Chef's uniform and vegetables suggest food preparation, not delivery or just work.

"Might" expresses a stronger degree of certainty than "could."

• false

• true

Answer explanation

"Might" and "could" often convey similar levels of possibility, not a stronger degree. Sometimes it could show less certainty, but the difference is slight not strong like if we are comparing with must.

I see several suitcases by the door and a plane ticket on the table. What is the most likely deduction?

• They must be moving to a new house.

• • They could be going on vacation.

• • They must be checking in for a flight.

• • They're probably just organizing their belongings.

Answer explanation

all options could be true in specific scenarios, but the most likely deduction based on the provided clues is that the person is going on vacation. Having suitcases and a plane ticket strongly suggests travel, while moving or checking in can be less likely explanations without additional context.