Modal auxiliaries exercise

Use appropriate modal auxiliary verbs in the blanks to express the idea indicated in the brackets.

1. I ……………… rather listen than talk. (Preference)

2. The cashier ………………….. meet the Manager. (Absence of courage)

3. Children ……………… be given healthy food. (Advice)

4. Candidates ………………. produce their identity cards. (Compulsion)

5. ………………. you get me some tea, please? (Polite request)

6. ……………………. you mind moving a bit? (Polite request)

7. You …………………… have done that. (Absence of obligation)

8. She ………………… to mend her ways. (Strong obligation/necessity)

9. She …………………….. read when she was three. (Past ability)

10. Glass …………….. be blown. (Theoretical possibility)

11. This road ………………….. be blocked due to the procession. (Factual possibility)

Answers

1. I would rather listen than talk. (Preference)

2. The cashier dared not meet the Manager. (Absence of courage)

3. Children should be given healthy food. (Advice)

4. Candidates must produce their identity cards. (Compulsion)

5. Would you get me some tea, please? (Polite request)

6. Would you mind moving a bit? (Polite request)

7. You need not have done that. (Absence of obligation)

8. She ought to mend her ways. (Strong obligation/necessity)

9. She could read when she was three. (Past ability)

10. Glass can be blown. (Theoretical possibility)

11. This road may be blocked due to the procession. (Factual possibility)