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Modal Verbs Exercises
Ability
Complete the sentence with can/can´t ,could /couldn´t or be able to.
1 We__________ speak a foreign language, which is always useful when we go
abroad.
2 I ____________________ touch my toes.
3 There was a fire in his office but he ______________ escape through a window.
4 My grandfather was an excellent athlete. He __________ run a mile in just over four
minutes.
5 The doctor says he _____________ play tennis again after his accident.
6 After his car crashed he was so confused that he __________ tell the police who he
was or where he was going.
7 I live alone because I __________ come and go as I please.
8 The police ran after the burglar, but she __________ get away from them.
9 Although it was difficult, the children________________ build a tree house.
10. I ____________________see someone climbing the garden fence last night.
Possibility and Deduction.
Possibility
Complete the sentence with can, may or might :
1. According to the forecast, it ……………………….rain tomorrow.
2. I´m very busy these days. I …………………..go to your party.
3. Elephants…………………..live up to 70 years.
4. I have very little time …………………..send the fax right now.
5. Everyone ……………………………make a mistake.
6. I…………………stay at home tonight. It´s very cold.
7. I………………….. pass that exam, it was very difficult.
8. She…….………go to England this summer. She wants to improve her English.
9. It…………………………..very cold in Andalucía.
Deduction.
Complete the sentence with must or can´t:
1. He has just had an enormous meal. He………………………be hungry.
2. My mother is not a t home. She………………………be in the supermarket.
3. Wow! Look at that man in that luxurious car. He…………………be rich.
4. Jane has blonde and long hair and that girl is red-haired. She………….be Jane.
5. I wonder why Tom isn´t at work today. He………………be ill.
6. You ………………… be ready so soon! You only started ten minutes ago.
7. The play is sold out. It …………………….be very good.
