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Past modals 1

Total questions: 152

Worksheet time: 1hrs 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

I ___________________________________ (buy) bread but I didn’t know we needed it. (past possibility)

a)

could have bought

b)

could has bought

c)

must have bought

d)

should have bought

2.

Is "can" used as modal in the past?

a)

Yes

b)

No

3.

Is this sentece correct or incorrect?

It should had been the other way around.

a)

Correct

b)

Incorrect

4.

We ___________________________________ (invite) so many people to our party! I’m worried that we won’t have enough room for everyone. (past negative advice / regret)

a)

shouldn´t have invited

b)

should have invited

c)

would have invited

d)

wouldn´t have invited

5.

I ___________________________________ (start) saving money years ago! (past advice / regret)

a)

should have started

b)

could have started

c)

would have started

d)

might have started

6.

We ___________________________________ (join) you at the restaurant, but we couldn’t get a babysitter. (past willingness

a)

would have joined

b)

could have joined

c)

couldn´t have joined

d)

wouldn´t have joined

7.

The weather ___________________________________ (be) any worse! (past negative possibility)

a)

couldn´t have been

b)

could have been

c)

mustn´t have been

d)

mist have been

8.

I ___________________________________ (arrive) on time, even if I’d left earlier. There were dreadful traffic jams all the way. (past negative possibility)

a)

couln´t have arrived

b)

could have arrived

c)

wouldn´t have arrived

d)

would have arrived

9.

Lucy ___________________________________ (left) earlier. She missed her flight. (past advice / regret)

a)

must have left

b)

could have left

c)

might have left

d)

would have left

10.

Amanda ___________________________________ (finish) the work, but she felt ill and had to go home. (past willingness)

a)

would have finished

b)

could have finished

c)

must have finished

d)

may have finished

11.

They ___________________________________ (win) the football match, but John hurt his ankle. (past possibility)

a)

could have win

b)

could have won

c)

should have winned

d)

should have won

12.

We _____________________have finished the game, even if we’d wanted to. It was raining very hard and we had to stop. (past negative possibility)

a)

could

b)

couldn´t

c)

shouldn´t

d)

mustn´t

13.

I ___________________________________ (eat) so much chocolate! I feel sick! (past negative advice / regret)

a)

mustn´t have eaten

b)

shouldn´t have eaten

c)

shouldn´t have ate

d)

couldn´t have ate

14.

John ____________________________have called Amy, but he didn’t have her number. (past obligation)

a)

must

b)

could

c)

should

d)

may

15.

The race was really difficult. She ___________________________________ (win) because she’s not fit enough. (past negative possibility)

a)

must have won

b)

could have won

c)

should have won

d)

would have won

16.

She ________________ studied really hard. She passed all her exams with great grades.

a)

can't have

b)

Must have

c)

should have

d)

Shouldn't have

17.

You ________________ shouted at him. He'll never forgive you.

a)

can have

b)

must have

c)

should have

d)

shouldn't have

18.

He ___________________ arrived by now. It's only a 20 mins journey.

a)

should have

b)

can't have

c)

musn't have

d)

can have

19.

I was not afraid to come. You ________________ come with me.

a)

should have

b)

must have

c)

can't have

d)

needn't have

20.

She was not sure when to leave. I ____________ left earlier.

a)

can't have

b)

should have

c)

might have

d)

needn't have

21.

The boss is not in good mood. The meeting ________been bad.

a)

couldn't have

b)

must have

c)

mustn't have

d)

need have

22.

Atakan forgot the appointment yesterday. We _____________ reminded him.

a)

should have

b)

shouldn't have

c)

might have

d)

couldn't have

23.

I am sure David ________________ taken you books by mistake.

a)

shouldn't have

b)

must have

c)

couldn't have

d)

might have

24.

I don't know where they went on holiday but they bought Euros before they left so they__________ gone to France or Germany.

a)

should have

b)

can't have

c)

mustn't have

d)

might have

25.

Sena _________________________ walked to work but she took the taxi instead.

a)

could have

b)

shouldn't have

c)

couldn't have

d)

needn't have

26.

I _______________ punished if I hadn't lied to my parents.

a)

would have

b)

wouldn't have been

c)

needn't have

d)

needn't have been

27.

My hair was awful! I ______________ looked at the mirror before I left the house.

a)

might have

b)

mustn't have

c)

might not have

d)

should have

28.

Andrew did no revision before the test but he passed. I think he _____________________ cheated.

a)

should have

b)

might have

c)

couldn't have

d)

need have

29.

John ___________ gone on holiday. I saw him this morning downtown.

a)

can't have

b)

must have

c)

shouldn't have

d)

might not have

30.

Nobody answered the phone at the clinic. It _________________ closed early.

a)

couldn't have

b)

should have

c)

might have

d)

need have

31.

1. If you wanted to stay in that hotel, you __ booked before!

a)

could have

b)

might have

c)

should have

d)

couldn't have

32.

2. He __ committed the crime, as he had both the motive and the opportunity.

a)

can't have

b)

could have

c)

would have

d)

should have

33.

3. If I had known about your accident, I __ phoned you.

a)

should have

b)

might have

c)

must have

d)

would have

34.

4. Lucy __ attended the concert, but we aren't sure.

a)

may have

b)

can't have

c)

should have

d)

would have

35.

5. You __ finished that book already! You only started reading it an hour ago.

a)

can't have

b)

might have

c)

shouldn't have

d)

would have

36.

6. I think they __ got lost - surely they'd be here by now!

a)

can have

b)

might have

c)

must have

d)

should have

37.

7. Oh no! My phone isn't in my bag. I __ left it on the train.

a)

can have

b)

might have

c)

should have

d)

would have

38.

8. She __ been a lawyer but she decided to study accountancy instead.

a)

can't have

b)

might have

c)

may have

d)

could have

39.

9. You __ gone to Dan's party - it was fantastic!

a)

should have

b)

must have

c)

would have

d)

couldn't have

40.

10. I'm so sorry I woke you up. I __ called you if I knew you were sleeping.

a)

can't have

b)

might not have

c)

shouldn't have

d)

wouldn't have

41.
What kind of words add meaning  to verbs?
a)
adjectives
b)
adverbs
c)
nouns
d)
modals
42.
What modal is NOT used to express possibility?
a)
could
b)
should
c)
may
d)
might
43.
What modal is used to express ability in the past?
a)
can
b)
am able to
c)
could
d)
might
44.
Which modal is NOT used to express advice?
a)
had better
b)
could
c)
should
d)
ought to
45.
Which modal is used when you are almost certain that an action or situation is NOT likely?
a)
can't
b)
might not
c)
couldn't
d)
may not
46.
Which one is an adverb?
a)
may be
b)
maybe
47.
Which modal of ability can be used in the future?
a)
can
b)
could
c)
be able to
d)
might
48.
BE able to has the same general meaning as ________
a)
might
b)
may
c)
can
d)
should
49.
Which modal is used to express prohibition?
a)
must not
b)
can not
c)
could not
d)
should not
50.
Which modal is used to express necessity
a)
should
b)
must
c)
ought to
d)
could
51.
Which modal is used for a repeated action in the past?
a)
could
b)
was able to
c)
would 
d)
might
52.
Which modal cannot be used in the blank. You _________________ eat in class. 
a)
can not
b)
ought not
c)
should not
d)
must not
53.
 I _________ sleep last night.
a)
can't
b)
couldn't
c)
won't be able to
d)
shouldn't
54.
He __________ ride a bike because he never learned how.
a)
can
b)
can't
c)
might not
d)
couldn't
55.
I missed class yesterday because I was sick.  I ________  ask the teacher what I missed.
a)
ought to
b)
would
c)
was able to
d)
musn't
56.
You ___________ eat too much before you go swimming. You can get a stomachache.
a)
shouldn't
b)
couldn't
c)
can't
d)
wouldn't
57.
 What belongs in the underlined part of the sentence? Baraka isn’t in class She maybe sick.
a)
may be
b)
may is
c)
would be
d)
correct as is
58.
Yosbani is out of gas. He _____________ go to the gas station.
a)
might
b)
can
c)
should
d)
had better
59.
Jessica _____________ enter the club. She is not 21.
a)
can not
b)
should not
c)
would not
d)
might not
60.
 The student ______________ stop ditching if he wants to pass the class.
a)
could
b)
would
c)
can
d)
had better
61.

I'm sure he ate some chocolate.

a)

He must have eaten chocolate

b)

He can't have eaten chocolate

c)

He may have eaten chocolate

d)

He might have eaten chocolate

62.

I'm sure the dog played in the mud.

a)

The dog must have played in the mud.

b)

The dog must played in the mud.

c)

The dog must have play in the mud.

d)

The dog must play in the mud.

63.

Megan Fox looks different now. Maybe she had a plastic surgery?

a)

She may have had a plastic surgery.

b)

She could have had a plastic surgery.

c)

She might have had a plastic surgery.

d)

She can't have had a plastic surgery.

64.

Rihanna is rich. I'm sure she didn't steal the necklace.

a)

She can't have stolen the necklace.

b)

She must have stolen the necklace.

c)

She may have stolen the necklace.

d)

She should have stolen the necklace.

65.

Melania Trump loves her husband. I'm sure she didn't marry him for money.

a)

She can't have married him for money.

b)

She can't married him for money.

c)

She can't have marry him for money.

d)

She can't marry him for money.

66.

Maybe somebody scratched my car in front of the supermarket.

a)

Somebody may have scratched my car in front of the supermarket.

b)

Somebody may scratched my car in front of the supermarket.

c)

Somebody may have scratch my car in front of the supermarket.

d)

Somebody may scratch my car in front of the supermarket.

67.

I'm sure he didn't do it = ?

a)

He can't have done it.

b)

He can't do it.

c)

He must have done it.

d)

He might have done it.

68.

I'm sure he did it = ?

a)

He must have done it.

b)

He can't have done it.

c)

He must do it.

d)

He should have done it.

69.

Maybe he did it = ?

a)

He may have done it.

b)

He might have done it.

c)

He could have done it.

d)

He can't have done it.

70.

Maybe it's a sculpture.

a)

It may be a sculpture.

b)

It must be a sculpture.

c)

It can't be a sculpture.

d)

It could be a sculpture.

71.
Which sentence shows possibility?
a)
I can speak Korean.
b)
Could I use your phone please?
c)
She may be at home.
d)
He should go to the doctor.
72.
Which sentence shows advice / suggestion?
a)
You mustn't smoke.
b)
You should have your health checked.
c)
Would you possibly do me a favor?
d)
You can do it, don't you?
73.
Children _________ spend a limit time in front of their mobile phones.
a)
shall
b)
should
c)
shouldn't
d)
may
74.
Speak up, I ___________ hear you! 
a)
may not
b)
won't
c)
shouldn't
d)
can't
75.
It's a hospital. You ____ smoke.
a)
mustn't
b)
needn't
c)
may not
d)
don't have to
76.
Take an umbrella. It ______ rain later.
a)
need
b)
should
c)
mustn't
d)
might
77.

Which sentence is correct?

a)

He cannot sleeps at night.

b)

He cannot sleep at night.

c)

He cannot to sleep at night.

d)

He can not sleep at night.

78.

Which sentence is correct?

a)

We should to always stay at home.

b)

We should always stays at home.

c)

We should always stayed at home.

d)

We should always stay at home.

79.

Change this sentence into a question:


She can sing beautifully.

a)

Can she sing beautifully?

b)

Can she sings beautifully?

c)

Is she can sing beautifully?

80.

Change this sentence into a proper question:


We cannot be friends.

a)

Can we not friends?

b)

Can't we be friends?

c)

Can't we are friends?

81.

Which sentence is correct?

a)

We should be helpful and kind.

b)

We should are helpful and kind.

c)

We should to be helpful and kind.

82.

Complete the next sentence with the past modal that corresponds:

"Yesterday, I yelled at my mom because she didn't want to lend me her car, I __________ __________ ________ that".

a)

shouldn't have done

b)

couldn't have done

c)

would have done

d)

might have done

83.

Complete the next sentence with the past modal that corresponds:

"I failed my exam because I didn't study. I _________ _________ _________ more".

a)

shouldn't have studied

b)

couldn't have studied

c)

should have studied

d)

might not have studied

84.

Complete the next sentence with the past modal that corresponds:

"my friend didn't say hello when she saw me; she ________ _______ ______ just distracted".

a)

shouldn't have been

b)

could have been

c)

should have done

d)

might have done

85.

Complete the next sentence with the past modal that corresponds:

"I was completely sure he was going to lose the competition but he won!! he ________ ________ _________".

a)

shouldn't have been

b)

couldn't have cheated

c)

should have cheated

d)

must have cheated

86.

Complete the next sentence with the past modal that corresponds (2 possible answers):

"Monica was fired. I think it is possible she ________ ________ ________ some money from the cash machine".

a)

might have stolen

b)

couldn't have stolen

c)

should have stolen

d)

may have stolen

87.

Select the correct way to write the past modal "may" in negative

a)

May not have

b)

May have not

c)

Mayn't have

d)

May haven't

88.

Select the correct way to write the past modal "might" in negative

a)

Might have not

b)

Might not have

c)

Mightn't have

d)

Might haven't

89.

Listen and select the past modal you hear...

a)

might not have

b)

wouldn´t have

c)

couldn't have

d)

shouldn't have

90.

Listen and select the past modal you hear...

a)

should not have

b)

wouldn´t have

c)

should have had

d)

shouldn't have had

91.

Listen and select the past modal you hear...

a)

must not gone

b)

must have gone

c)

should have had

d)

shouldn't have gone

92.

Write down the modal and verb you hear...

"I think I ________ ________ ________ the air conditioning on. Please can you check?"

(a)  

93.

Write down the modal and verb you hear (remember to use contractions when the modal is negative).

"I thought I saw Adnam this morning but it __________ __________ ________ him – he's in Greece this week."

(a)  

94.

I'm sure they went out. They _______ gone out.

a)

should have

b)

could have

c)

must have

d)

might have.

95.

Mark is not a thief! He ______ it!

a)

can't have stole

b)

couldn't have steal

c)

couldn't steal

d)

can't have stolen

96.

It wasn't nice of them to ignore her. They ______ ignored her.

a)

should have

b)

shouldn't have

c)

might have

d)

might not have

97.

It's possible that he bought it. He ______ bought it.

a)

might have

b)

could have

c)

might not have

d)

should have

98.

It wasn't necessary for you to bring an umbrella. You ______ an umbrella.

a)

needn't have brought

b)

can't have brought

c)

should have brought

d)

shouldn't have brought

99.

It's possible that she missed the train. She ______ missed the train.

a)

can't have

b)

might have

c)

could

d)

may

100.

He ______ bought her a ring instead of a necklace. She would have been happier.

a)

might have

b)

may have

c)

could have

d)

must have

101.

It's awful that she said that. She ______ said that.

a)

should have

b)

could have

c)

can't have

d)

shouldn't have

102.

I think that if he had known about it, he ______ reacted differently.

a)

shouldn't have

b)

couldn't have

c)

would have

d)

can't have

103.

It's a pity he didn't study. He ______ passed the test with flying colors.

a)

could have

b)

wouldn't have

c)

can't have

d)

shouldn't have

104.

This soup tastes awful. I ______ put less salt in it.

a)

should have put

b)

ought to have

c)

couldn't have

d)

shouldn't have

105.

I'm not really sure, but I suppose he ______ seen the film. It is possible.

a)

shouldn't have

b)

needn't have

c)

must have

d)

may have

106.

It all happened so quickly that I really ______ expected it.

a)

needn't have

b)

must have

c)

couldn't have

d)

might have

107.

George is abroad now, so you ______ seen someone else, not him.

a)

must have

b)

might have

c)

should have

d)

would have

108.

I honestly ______ come to the party, but I had an emergency and I couldn't

a)

could have

b)

can't have

c)

would have

d)

might have

109.

We should (a)   done the shopping yesterday.

110.

They (a)   eaten the last piece. Look! There are still a few left.

111.

You're right. Jane (a)   have wanted to buy the red dress. As far as I know, she likes red.

112.

Is this sentece correct or incorrect?

It might have been a ghost or a hostile entity.

a)

Correct

b)

Incorrect

113.

My grandmother is eighty-five, but she ……………… still read and write without glasses. (Ability)

a)

May

b)

Might

c)

Can

d)

Could

114.

John______________ gone on holiday. I saw him this morning downtown. (Non happened action)

a)

Can't have

b)

Must have

c)

Might have

d)

Should have

115.

I don't know where they went on holiday but they bought Euros before they left so they ______________ gone to France or Germany (Lack of certainty)

a)

Should have

b)

Would have

c)

Could have

d)

Might have

116.

You _____________ lose any more weight. You are already slim. (Necessity)

a)

Shouldn't

b)

Mustn't

c)

Needn't

d)

Don't have to

117.

______________ you take care of my dog for a day? (Polite request)

a)

Can

b)

Would

c)

Should

d)

Shall

118.

The weather ___________________________________ been any worse! (past negative possibility)

a)

couldn't have

b)

wouldn't have

c)

might not have

d)

may not have

119.

She ______________ sell her home because she needs money. (weak possibility)

a)

Need

b)

Must

c)

Might

d)

Can

120.

Amanda ___________________________________ finished the work, but she felt ill and had to go home. (past willingness)

a)

Can't have

b)

Would have

c)

Should have

d)

Must have

121.

You ___________________________________ been rude to him. He’s going to be really angry now. (past negative advice / regret)

a)

Needn't have

b)

Wouldn't have

c)

Mustn't have

d)

Shouldn't have

122.

It is snowing outside so I _______________ stay at home. (Intention)

a)

Can

b)

Will

c)

May

d)

Could

123.

His number was busy all night - he ______________ been on the phone continuously for hours. (Strong opinion)

a)

Would have

b)

Must have

c)

Can't have

d)

Should have

124.

There was a time when I _______________ stay up very late. (Past ability)

a)

May

b)

Might

c)

Could

d)

Would

125.

Our country _______________ become a super power by 2025. (possibility)

a)

Will

b)

Can

c)

Might

d)

Should

126.

I can't believe Jim hasn't arrived yet. He ____________ caught the wrong train. (Strong opinion or certainty)

a)

Would have

b)

Should have

c)

Can't have

d)

Must have

127.

I can't believe Jim hasn't arrived yet. He ____________ caught the correct train. (Certainty about a non- happened action)

a)

Would have

b)

Should have

c)

Can't Have

d)

Must have

128.

Jim ___ criticized her, although he usually doesn't do that kind of thing.

a)

may have

b)

couldn't have

c)

must have

129.

Henry apologized and agreed that he ___ disrupted the lecture.

a)

shouldn't have

b)

must have

c)

couldn't have

130.

You ___ there, you weren't born yet!

a)

might not have been

b)

shouldn't have been

c)

couldn't have been

131.

My grandfather always said that he ___ medicine when he had the chance instead of letting the opportunity pass.

a)

may have studied

b)

could have studied

c)

should have studied

132.

What ___ to Ed? He told us that he was going to be on time today!!!

a)

must have happened

b)

could have happened

c)

should have happened

133.

My father always respects the traffic lights, so he ___ been terribly distracted when he passed the red light.

a)

must have

b)

couldn't have

c)

should have

134.

I ___ renewed my ID before the quarantine started. Now I cannot sign any legal documents.

a)

must have

b)

could have

c)

should have

135.

Nobody ___ predicted how a pandemic like this would affect the whole globe.

a)

must have ever

b)

should have ever

c)

could have ever

136.

My best friend ___ gotten away with missing school yesterday. His parents didn't seem to be upset with him.

a)

must have

b)

might have

c)

may had

137.

Lisa was feeling very anxious about her job, but her husband didn't tell her a thing to comfort her. He ___ more sympathetic.

a)

must have been

b)

couldn't have been

c)

should have been

138.

Choose the most suitable response:

What did I do wrong?

a)

You shouldn't have connected these two wires

b)

You didn't have to connect these two wires

139.

Choose the most suitable response:

Why is the dog barking?

a)

It should have heard something

b)

It must have heard something

140.

Choose the most suitable response:

Why are you home so early?

a)

I needn't have worked this afternoon

b)

I didn't have to work this afternoon

141.

Choose the most suitable response:

Why did you worry about me? I didn't take any risks

a)

You must have been injured

b)

You could have been injured

142.

Choose the most suitable response:

You forgot my BDay again!

a)

Sorry, I should have looked in my diary

b)

Sorry, I had to look in my diary

143.

Complete the second sentence so that it had a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.

It wasn't necessary for me to go out after all. (have).

I (a)   after all.

144.

Complete the second sentence so that it had a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.

There was a plan for Jack to become a manager but he left. (was)

Jack (a)   a manager but he left.

145.

Complete the second sentence so that it had a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.

I don't think that Sally enjoyed her holiday.(have)

Sally (a)   enjoyed her holiday.

146.

Complete the second sentence so that it had a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.

It's possible that Bill saw me. (may)

Bill (a)   me.

147.

Complete the second sentence so that it had a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.

It's possible that I left my wallet at home. (could)

I (a)   my wallet at home.

148.

Complete the second sentence so that it had a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.

I think you were wrong to sell your bike.(shouldn't)

You (a)   your bike.

149.
a)

You must have read the notice

b)

You should have read the notice

150.
a)

We can't have worn our raincoats

b)

We needn't have worn our raincoats

151.
a)

He must have hit him in the right spot

b)

He should have hit him in the right spot

152.
a)

Sorry, I had to go to the dentist's

b)

Sorry, I should have gone to the dentist's

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