Test E Modal verbs

A Chris is going to Carstairs College in Scotland. Miranda is already studying there. Cross out
the incorrect modal verb forms to complete their conversation.
Modal verbs

Chris: ♦
Can I / Do I can ask you a few questions about Carstairs?
Miranda: Of course. 1You should / You ought to get as much information as possible before you go.
Chris: Do 2I must / I have to wear a uniform?
Miranda: No, but 3you must / you have dress smartly. You can’t wear jeans.
Chris: 4Should I / Had I take my laptop with me?
Miranda: No, 5you don’t ought / you don’t need to! You have to write all your essays by hand!
Chris: What? Will 6I be possible / I be able to use email?
Miranda: No, I’m afraid not. Carstairs is very old-fashioned. Anyway, when are you leaving?
Chris: 7I managed / I could to get a ticket for the train this evening. 8I should / I must have reserved a
seat, though. 9I can / I may have to stand all the way to Scotland.
Miranda: 10Should I better / Had I better give you a ring later and see how things are going?
Chris: Sure. Can I use my phone at college?
Miranda: Yes, don’t worry. But 11you need / you must switch it off during the school day.
Chris: OK. Can you give me any more advice?
Miranda: Yes. 12You must / You ought visit the lake near the college. It’s beautiful!

B Olivia is emailing Sarah. The numbered words in the box are missing from the text. Put one
number only in the text at the right place.
1able   2have   3to   4should   5managed   6needn’t   7ought   8couldn’t   9had

I’ve had a terrible day! I ♦ 4 have got up early, but I couldn’t get out of bed! It was

too late to go by bus, so I to get a taxi. Luckily, I to find one quite quickly. Of course,

when we arrived outside the office, I didn’t have any money, so I pay the driver.

Anyway, I was to borrow some from the receptionist. I’ve paid her back already,

but do you think I to give her a present as well? My boss was waiting for me in her

office. I should arrived at nine o’clock, and I was half an hour late. I have taken a taxi

at all, though! She told me the company was closing, so I had find a new job!

C Mr and Mrs Buck are deciding what to take with them on holiday. Rewrite the sentences
using the word in brackets ( ).
Mrs Buck: It’s not necessary to take the tent. (need)
♦
We don’t need to take the tent.
We’re not going camping again!
Mr Buck: The hotels will be full, possibly. (might)
The 1
Mrs Buck: Then it will be necessary to sleep in the car. (have)
Then we 2

9 Oxford Practice Grammar • Basic • Test E Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2019
 Modal verbs

Mr Buck: Well, I think we’ve got everything we need. What’s in that paper bag?
Mrs Buck: I’m sure it’s the sun cream we got in Brighton. (must)
It 3
Mr Buck: It wasn’t necessary to buy it. (needn’t)
We 4
Mrs Buck: Is it a good idea to take it with us this time? (Should)
5 ?
Mrs Buck: It’s not possible for us to make the sun shine. (can’t)
We 6 ?
Mr Buck: The sun’s always shining when you’re with me, Maddie!
Mrs Buck: Are you feeling OK, George? Maybe you should have a rest. (better)
7

D Michael is about to give a presentation. Use the words from the box to complete
what he’s saying.
don’t need to should have better start Can you could you pass
mustn’t forget might not should really Do I need to use got to finish
‘♦ Can you hear me at the back of the hall? 1 the
microphone? Oh dear, it isn’t working! You 2 move to the front if
you can. Excuse me, 3 this information around? Thank you. Have
I brought enough copies? I haven’t? I’m so sorry. Sir, I can see you don’t have a seat,
but you 4 write anything in my presentation. I’ll put everything
on my website. I 5 to give you the address at the end. Now, I’ve
6 in 30 minutes, so we’d 7 . I’m sorry, Madam,
but you 8 be able to see the screen unless you move forward.
Anyway, I 9 started five minutes ago. Right, where are my notes?’

E Four friends are in a cafe. If the underlined modal verb forms are wrong, correct them. If they
are right, put a tick (✓).
Tim: Is that your phone ringing, John?
John: Yes. It can be ♦ must be Dave. He said he would ring about now. No, wait a
moment, it can’t be ♦ ✓ Dave. That’s not his number. I wonder who it is.
Phil: You’ll have to 1 answer it if you want to know! Who’s that by the window,
Tim? Is it Alice?
Tim: It needn’t be 2 . She’s in New York. She must 3 go there
on business last Monday.
Phil: Then it must be 4 her sister or something.
John: That was someone called Louise on the phone. I don’t know her …
Phil: But she should have 5 your number!
John: … and she says she’s in the café with us. By the window.
Tim: Really? Well, she could be 6 the girl who looks like Alice.
John: Shall I 7 speak to her?
Phil: You don’t ought 8 to, because she’s coming over now.
Louise: Hi, John. I’m Alice’s cousin. She gave me your number.
John: Have a seat. Can I 9 get you a coffee?

10 Oxford Practice Grammar • Basic • Test E Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2019