A.M.U. ENGLISH CLASS TENTH PAPER (PERIODIC ASSESSMENT 1)

50 Practice Questions of Modals in English Grammar with Answers

Mastering modal verbs like can, should, must, and might is essential for speaking and writing English fluently. They help us express ability, permission, obligation, and possibility.

In this guide, we'll quickly review the most important modals and their uses. Then, test your knowledge with 50 practice questions specifically designed for CBSE Class 9 and 10 students. Let's get started!

All Modals with Definition and Examples

Can

Definition: Expresses ability, capability, permission, or possibility.

Example: I can swim. Can I borrow your pen?

Could

Definition: Expresses past ability, permission, or possibility.

Example: I could swim when I was younger. Could I use your phone?

May

Definition: Expresses permission, possibility, or uncertainty.

Example: May I go to the restroom? It may rain later.

Might

Definition: Expresses possibility or uncertainty.

Example: She might come to the party. It might be a good idea to call ahead.

Must

Definition: Expresses obligation, necessity, or strong probability.

Example: You must follow the rules. It must be cold outside.

Shall

Definition: Expresses suggestions, offers, or future actions.

Example: Shall we go for a walk? I shall do my best to help you.

Should

Definition: Expresses advice, recommendations, or expectations.

Example: You should study for the exam. It should be a great movie.

Will

Definition: Expresses future actions, predictions, or willingness.

Example: I will meet you at the cafe. It will rain tomorrow.

Would

Definition: Expresses past habits, polite requests, or hypothetical situations.

Example: He would always take a walk after dinner. Would you like some tea?

Ought to

Definition: Expresses moral obligation, strong recommendation, or expectation.

Example: You ought to apologize. He ought to be here by now.

Need to

Definition: Expresses necessity or obligation.

Example: You need to finish your homework. I need to buy groceries.

Have to

Definition: Expresses necessity or obligation.

Example: I have to go to work. They have to clean their room.

Let Us Practice

Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals. (Answer key given below)

1. She _______ be at home. She left her keys on the table.
2. We _______ go to the party if we finish our work early.
3. You _______ try the new restaurant downtown. The food is delicious.
4. He _______ swim when he was just three years old.
5. I'm not sure if I _______ come to the meeting tomorrow. I have a conflicting appointment.
6. They _______ have studied harder for the exam. They didn't do well.
7. _______ I borrow your pen? I forgot mine at home.
8. We _______ take a taxi. It's raining heavily outside.
9. He _______ have passed the driving test. He practiced a lot.
10. She _______ have left the door unlocked. That's why the house got robbed.
11. You _______ read that book. It's a classic.
12. They _______ stay up late. They have an early morning tomorrow.
13. He _______ come to the party. He wasn't invited.
14. _______ I help you with your luggage?
15. We _______ go to the gym more often. We need to stay fit.
16. I _______ finish this report by tomorrow. It's urgent.
17. They _______ go on vacation next week. Their flights are booked.
18. You _______ eat all the cake by yourself. Share it with others.
19. She _______ be tired. She worked overtime today.
20. He _______ speak French fluently. He studied it for many years.
21. We _______ be careful while crossing the road. It's busy.
22. You _______ ask for permission before using my computer.
23. They _______ play soccer every weekend. It's their favorite sport.
24. _______ I have a glass of water, please?
25. He _______ start saving money for his future.
26. She _______ attend the meeting. She has a prior engagement.
27. We _______ take the bus or walk to the park. It's just a few blocks away.
28. They _______ go to the movies tonight. They have other plans.
29. You _______ bring an umbrella. It might rain later.
30. He _______ have called to inform about the change in plans.
31. She _______ lend you her car if you promise to drive carefully.
32. _______ I have another piece of cake? It's delicious.
33. They _______ visit their grandparents over the weekend. They miss them.
34. We _______ be more mindful of our environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
35. You _______ take a break. You've been working hard all day.
36. He _______ ask for help if he doesn't understand the assignment.
37. She _______ go to the doctor. Her cough has been persistent.
38. They _______ arrive on time for the concert. The tickets are non-refundable.
39. _______ I have a look at your notes? I missed the class yesterday.
40. We _______ buy a new car. Ours keeps breaking down.
41. He _______ stay focused during the exam. It's important.
42. You _______ learn to play the guitar if you practice regularly.
43. They _______ join the club if they meet the membership requirements.
44. _______ I open the window? It's stuffy in here.
45. She _______ take up dancing. It's a great way to stay active.
46. We _______ study harder for the next test. We didn't do well.
47. You _______ ask for directions. We're lost.
48. He _______ apologize for his rude behavior. It was uncalled for.
49. _______ I have a piece of advice? I think it might help.
50. They _______ visit the art museum. It's known for its impressive collection.

Click to See Answer Key

1. must

2. can

3. should

4. could

5. will

6. should

7. May

8. should

9. must

10. should

11. should

12. shouldn't

13. shouldn't

14. Can

15. should

16. must

17. will

18. shouldn't

19. must

20. can

21. should

22. should

23. should

24. May

25. should

26. can't

27. can

28. won't

29. should

30. should

31. will

32. May

33. will

34. should

35. should

36. should

37. should

38. must

39. May

40. should

41. should

42. can

43. can

44. May

45. should

46. should

47. should / ought to

48. must / should

49. May / Can

50. should / could

Please note that in some cases, more than one modal verb can be used, depending on the intended meaning.

Download Worksheet

Modal Verbs Practice Worksheet

Name: ___________________ Date: ___________________

Instructions: Fill in each blank with a suitable modal verb from the list.

1. She _______ be at home. She left her keys on the table.
2. We _______ go to the party if we finish our work early.
3. You _______ try the new restaurant downtown. The food is delicious.
4. He _______ swim when he was just three years old.
5. I'm not sure if I _______ come to the meeting tomorrow. I have a conflicting appointment.
6. They _______ have studied harder for the exam. They didn’t do well.
7. _______ I borrow your pen? I forgot mine at home.
8. We _______ take a taxi. It’s raining heavily outside.
9. He _______ have passed the driving test. He practiced a lot.
10. She _______ have left the door unlocked. That’s why the house got robbed.
11. You _______ read that book. It’s a classic.
12. They _______ stay up late. They have an early morning tomorrow.
13. He _______ come to the party. He wasn’t invited.
14. _______ I help you with your luggage?
15. We _______ go to the gym more often. We need to stay fit.
16. I _______ finish this report by tomorrow. It’s urgent.
17. They _______ go on vacation next week. Their flights are booked.
18. You _______ eat all the cake by yourself. Share it with others.
19. She _______ be tired. She worked overtime today.
20. He _______ speak French fluently. He studied it for many years.
21. We _______ be careful while crossing the road. It’s busy.
22. You _______ ask for permission before using my computer.
23. They _______ play soccer every weekend. It’s their favorite sport.
24. _______ I have a glass of water, please?
25. He _______ start saving money for his future.
26. She _______ attend the meeting. She has a prior engagement.
27. We _______ take the bus or walk to the park. It’s just a few blocks away.
28. They _______ go to the movies tonight. They have other plans.
29. You _______ bring an umbrella. It might rain later.
30. He _______ have called to inform about the change in plans.
31. She _______ lend you her car if you promise to drive carefully.
32. _______ I have another piece of cake? It’s delicious.
33. They _______ visit their grandparents over the weekend. They miss them.
34. We _______ be more mindful of our environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
35. You _______ take a break. You’ve been working hard all day.
36. He _______ ask for help if he doesn’t understand the assignment.
37. She _______ go to the doctor. Her cough has been persistent.
38. They _______ arrive on time for the concert. The tickets are non-refundable.
39. _______ I have a look at your notes? I missed the class yesterday.
40. We _______ buy a new car. Ours keeps breaking down.
41. He _______ stay focused during the exam. It’s important.
42. You _______ learn to play the guitar if you practice regularly.
43. They _______ join the club if they meet the membership requirements.
44. _______ I open the window? It’s stuffy in here.
45. She _______ take up dancing. It’s a great way to stay active.
46. We _______ study harder for the next test. We didn’t do well.
47. You _______ ask for directions. We’re lost.
48. He _______ apologize for his rude behavior. It was uncalled for.
49. _______ I have a piece of advice? I think it might help.
50. They _______ visit the art museum. It’s known for its impressive collection.

Confused by Modals? Your Simple Explanation with Examples

Understanding Modal Verbs

Modals are special helping verbs (or auxiliary verbs) that attach additional meaning to the main verb of a sentence. They can express things like ability, permission, possibility, and obligation.

Can

Used to express:

• Ability: The capacity to do something.
• Possibility: Something that is possible.
• Permission: Asking for permission in an informal way.

He can write neatly.

Could

This is the past tense form of 'can' and is often used for:

• Polite Requests: A more formal or polite way to ask for something.
• Past Ability: Describing an ability someone had in the past.

Could you please open the window?

May

Used to express:

• Possibility/Probability: A chance that something will happen.
• A Wish: To express a hope or wish.
• Permission: Asking for permission in a formal way.

It may rain soon.

Might

This is the past tense form of 'may' and typically shows:

• Less Possibility: A weaker chance of something happening compared to 'may'.

He might be late today.

Should

As the past tense of 'shall', 'should' is used to:

• Express Duty: What is considered the right thing to do.
• Give Advice or Suggestions: Recommending a course of action.

You should consult a doctor.

Ought to

This modal is similar to 'should' and is used for:

• Expressing Obligation: Indicating a moral duty or a sensible action.
• Showing Expectation: When we believe something will likely happen.
• Past Regret: 'Ought to have' is used when we realize a past action was a mistake.

You ought to tell the truth.

She ought to have taken the money.

Must

This is a strong modal used to:

• Express Obligation: A strong requirement or command.
• Show Certainty: Stating something that is very likely true.
• Give Emphatic Advice: A very strong recommendation.

You must obey your parents.

Would

Used to express:

• Past Habits: Regular, repeated actions in the past.
• Polite Requests or Offers: A courteous way to make an offer.
• It also serves as the past form of 'will'.

In his childhood, he would cry all the time.

Would you like to have some coffee?

Need & Dare

Need is used mainly in questions and negatives to express necessity. In its modal form, it is followed by an infinitive without 'to'. The negative 'need not' is often shortened to 'needn't'.

Need I go now? You need not go.

Dare is used to challenge someone or to express warnings and threats.

He dare not say it.

Key Differences

Must vs. Have to: 'Must' often expresses an obligation imposed by the speaker (internal), while 'have to' expresses an external obligation from rules or circumstances.

Example: I must finish this report. (I feel it's necessary.) vs. I have to finish this report. (My boss requires it.)

Should vs. Ought to: These are very similar and often interchangeable. They express duty, advice, or a sensible action. 'Ought to' can sometimes feel slightly stronger or more formal than 'should'.

Example: You should / ought to obey your parents.

Modals Practice Questions

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