Modals - revision

This exercise isn't very important. The teacher has said:

• We oughtn't to do it.

• We mustn't do it.

• We needn't do it.

• We may not do it.

Answer explanation

Absence of obligation

The baby is sleeping.

• We mustn't make a noise.

• We needn't make a noise.

• We can't make a noise.

• We aren't able to make a noise.

Answer explanation

Prohibition

There was a fire in the supermarket, but all ended well.

• Everybody was to escape.

• Everybody could escape.

• Everybody was able to escape.

• Everybody had to escape.

Answer explanation

Specific ability in the past.

This was a very rude remark.

• You needn't have made it.

• You shouldn't have made it.

• You didn't have to make it.

• You mustn't have made it.

Answer explanation

Advice.

Did you hear me come in last night?

• No, I had to be asleep.

• No, I must have been asleep.

• No, I can have been asleep.

• No, I should have been asleep.

Answer explanation

Logical deduction.

When I was a young man,

• I had to swim across the river.

• I could swim across the river.

• I must swim across the river.

• I was able to swim across the river.

Answer explanation

General past ability.

What! Haven't you done your homework yet?

• You ought to have done it by now.

• You may have done it by now.

• You needn't have done it by now.

• You can have done it by now.

Answer explanation

Advice not taken in the past.

Did he really marry her?

• He can love her very much.

• He has to love her very much.

• He must love her very much.

• He may love her very much.

Answer explanation

Logical deduction.

There is plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. You .... buy any.

• can't

• don't need to

• couldn't

• should

Answer explanation

Absence of necessity / obligation (also: don't have to - needn't).

It's a hospital. You .... smoke

• cannot

• couldn't

• shouldn't

• needn't

Answer explanation

Prohibition (external).