Review the Modal Verbs used to express Ability, Possibility, Permission before doing the exercises. Choose the answer that is grammatically correct in the context of the sentence. There is only one correct answer.

Practice Exercises – Moda l Verbs (Ability / Possibility / Permission):

My daughter _____ to speak three languages at the age of five. a. could b. can c. was able d. may
There’s a small chance that I ______ get a pay raise at the end of the year. a. might b. be able to c. ought d. have
Alice: “ _______ your sister dance the tango?” Sue: “Not very well.” a. Is able b. May c. Can d. Has
I ______ stay up late every night when I was in high school. a. could b. may c. can d. will
John ______ play golf when he was younger, but now he can. a. can’t b. couldn’t c. wasn’t able d. doesn’t
How many times ______ the U.S. President be elected? a. is allowed b. has c. is able d. can
After a few more lessons, Bill will ________ swim like a fish. a. can b. be able to c. could d. might
Ann: “______ there be enough time to do some last-minute shopping before our flight?” Al: “No, not enough.” a. Is b. Must c. Won’t d. Wasn’t
Nowadays people __________ smoke in public places any more. It’s against the law. a. can’t b. couldn’t c. don’t let d. doesn’t

Does the weather forecast say that it _______ snow tonight? a. may b. has c. able to d. is
At present, I ______ roller skate as well as my sister, but I’m going to keep practicing. a. won’t b. can’t c. ’m not able d. don’t know
My daughter ________ wear jeans to school when she was fifteen. They weren’t allowed. a. can’t b. couldn’t c. won’t d. may not
The dentist ______ see you today. He has too many appointments. a. can’t b. mustn’t c. isn’t allowed d. isn’t able
I _______ go to the gym yesterday because I had to work overtime. a. might not b. can’t c. couldn’t d. may not
Tourists can visit Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay but they _______ to sleep there. a. may not b. mustn’t c. aren’t allowed d. can’t
You _______ to get your money back, if you return your ticket no later than a week before your flight. a. will b. can c. could d. ’ll be able
Nobody _______ travel to India without a passport. a. is allowed b. can c. may not d. isn’t able to
I ______ play the piano when I was seven. a. can b. could c. was able d. will
_______ I please use your computer while you’re out to lunch? a. Would b. Should c. May d. Will

My sister still _______ ride a bike when she was ten. a. can’t b. wasn’t able c. couldn’t d. may not
If it doesn’t rain soon, we _________ have to use less water. a. may b. can c. must d. ought
I _______ wear makeup when I was sixteen. a. can’t b. wasn’t allowed c. couldn’t d. may not
______ you able to bake a cake? a. Do b. Could c. Are d. Can
After twenty years of marriage, Martha still ________ to cook well. a. can’t b. couldn’t c. isn’t able d. might not
I _______ to give you Ms. Brown’s e-mail address without her permission. a. don’t b. can’t c. mustn’t d. ’m not allowed
My grandmother _________ leave the hospital tomorrow; the doctor said so. a. is able b. can c. let d. is allowed
Dogs that do not receive enough exercise ______ develop behavioral problems. a. can b. should c. are able d. have
You _____ be able to succeed in life if you aren’t able to face challenges. a. won’t b. couldn’t c. aren’t d. can’t