Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations

1. Consider the situations below and see if you can create a sentence using one of the modal
verbs supplied with the situation. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.Challenge:

a) Example: An elephant jumps into a swimming pool. might must not should

Everyone should get out in case all of the water splashes out!

a) A bull gets loose in a supermarket. may shouldn’t could

b) A teddy bear plays up front for Adelaide United FC. will can would

c) It rains non-stop for a month. wouldn’t (would not) ought to might not

d) A shark has a wrestling match with a bear. can might not (mightn’t) could

e) A chocolate river is found in South America. must may not (mayn’t) could

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Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations
Challenge
2. For the following situations make your own choice of a modal verb to use to create a
sentence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

a) Some cows form a band and release a single.

b) An alien attack fleet approaches Earth.

c) A cat attempts to climb Mount Everest.

d) The police start recruiting children to join the force.

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Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations Answers
1. Consider the situations below and see if you can create a sentence using one of the modal verbs
supplied with the situation. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Suggested possible answers.

a. There may be some tidying up to do.

There could be some slightly nervous shoppers.
Bulls shouldn’t be allowed in supermarkets.
b. Will he score the winning goal?
No one can perform overhead kicks like he can.
Would any other teams be interested in signing him?
c. It wouldn’t be a good month for a barbecue.
We ought to buy a boat.
It might not ever stop!
d. This one could go either way.
The bear can swim but the shark is in trouble on land.
This might not be a good event for spectators.
e. This must be the first one ever found.
The Brazilians may not be keen to share it.
There could be a big rise in tourists to the area.

2. For the following situations make your own choice of a modal verb to use to create a
sentence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Suggested possible answers.

a. There might not be all that much demand for cow tunes.
They could be the first animals to top the charts.
They shouldn’t let success go to their heads.
b. The spaceships might be the size of flies.
The invasion may ruin some people’s day.
We ought to ask them to stay for tea.
c. If it fell off the top would it land on its paws?
It might get blown off the slopes in a gale.
I wouldn’t let my cat climb a mountain.
d. This will be an interesting experiment.
Children can be effective law enforcers.
Would children catch more criminals than adults?
Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations
1. Consider the situations below and see if you can create a sentence which uses two of the
modal verbs supplied with the situation. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Example: An elephant jumps into a swimming pool. might must not should

It might be okay for elephants to swim without clothes in the wild but when they are in the
swimming pool, they should wear a costume like everybody else.

a) A bull gets loose in a supermarket. may shouldn’t could

b) A teddy bear plays up front for Adelaide United FC. will can would

c) It rains non-stop for a month. wouldn’t (would not) ought to might not

d) A shark has a wrestling match with a bear. can might not (mightn’t) could

e) A chocolate river is found in South America. must may not (mayn’t) could

Page 1 of 2
Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations
Challenge
2. For the following situations make your own choice of two modal verbs to use to create a
sentence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

a) Some cows form a band and release a single.

b) An alien attack fleet approaches Earth.

c) A cat attempts to climb Mount Everest.

d) The police start recruiting children to join the force.

Page 2 of 2
Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations Answers
1. Consider the situations below and see if you can create a sentence which uses two of the modal verbs
supplied with the situation. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Suggested possible answers.

a. There may be some tidying up to do but it shouldn’t be too bad as long as no-one holds up a red
blanket.
b. Only the best will be able to stop this bear who can perform so many skilful moves.
c. It wouldn’t be a good time for our barbecue, we ought to have a puddle-jumping party instead.
d. This one could go either way - the bear can swim but the shark is in trouble on land.
e. This must be the first one ever found and the locals may not be keen to share it.

2. For the following situations make your own choice of two modal verbs to use to create
a sentence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Suggested possible answers.

a. They could be the first animals to top the charts but they shouldn’t let success go to their heads.
b. The spaceships may only be the size of flies but the invasion might still ruin some people’s day.
c. Cats can climb well, and a cat would be able to cling on to the mountain even if strong winds and
gales were blowing.
d. This will be an interesting experiment because usually children can tell when someone is up to
no good.
Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations
1. Consider the situations below and see if you can create a sentence using each of the modal
verbs supplied with the example. You may be able to use two or more of the modal verbs
in one sentence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Example: An elephant jumps into a swimming pool. might must not should

Although some people might disagree, my feeling is that elephants should wear swimming
costumes and must not be allowed to swim if they don’t.

a) A bull gets loose in a supermarket. may shouldn’t could

b) A teddy bear plays up front for Adelaide United FC. will can would

c) It rains non-stop for a month. wouldn’t (would not) ought to might not

d) A shark has a wrestling match with a bear. can might not (mightn’t) could

e) A chocolate river is found in South America. must may not (mayn’t) could

Page 1 of 2
Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations
Challenge
2. For the following situations make your own choice of at least 3 modal verbs to use to
create a sentence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

a) Some cows form a band and release a single.

b) An alien attack fleet approaches Earth.

c) A cat attempts to climb Mount Everest.

d) The police start recruiting children to join the force.

Page 2 of 2
Using Modal Verbs to Assess Situations Answers
1. Consider the situations below and see if you can create a sentence using each of the modal verbs
supplied with the example. You may be able to use two or more of the modal verbs in one sentence.
Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Suggested possible answers.

a. There may be some tidying up to do and there could be some slightly nervous shoppers because
bulls shouldn’t really be allowed in supermarkets.
b. No one can perform overhead kicks like him and many other teams would love to have him – he
will score the winning goal again.
c. It wouldn’t be a good month for a barbecue, but we ought to make sure we don’t just stay inside
because it might not stop!
d. This one could go either way because although the bear can swim it would be no match for the
shark in the water.
e. This must be the first chocolate river ever found and although there could be a big rise in tourists
to the area, the locals may not be keen to share it.

2. For the following situations make your own choice of at least 3 modal verbs to use to create a sen-
tence. Be as creative as you can in your thinking.

Suggested possible answers.

a. They could be the first cows to top the charts although they shouldn’t be surprised if the record
doesn’t sell well as there might not be all that much demand for cow tunes.
b. The spaceships might have travelled a long way and although some Earthlings may be frightened, we
ought to ask them to stay for tea.
c. I wouldn’t let my cat climb a mountain, it might blow off the slopes in a gale. Although if it did fall off
the top at least it would land on its paws.
d. This will be an interesting development because children can be good judges of what should and
shouldn’t be allowed.