English grammar quiz
Modal verbs quiz: can, must, should
Mustn’t or don’t have to? Must or can’t? Check whether you feel the difference between modal verbs: 12 questions with every answer explained.
- 12 questions
- Level A2–B2
- Every answer explained
- No sign-up
Quiz: Modal verbs
Choose the right option — you’ll instantly see if you got it and why. Your score comes after the last question.
Question 1.
She (blank) speak three languages.
Choose the right option
Modals take no -s with he, she, it, and the next verb has no to: she can speak.
Question 2.
You (blank) smoke here. It’s against the rules.
Choose the right option
The rules forbid it: mustn’t. Don’t have to and needn’t mean it isn’t necessary.
Question 3.
You (blank) come tomorrow if you don’t want to. It’s optional.
Choose the right option
Optional means not necessary: don’t have to. Mustn’t is a ban.
Question 4.
You look tired. You (blank) go to bed early.
Choose the right option
Advice: should. Must to is wrong — no to after must.
Question 5.
(blank) I open the window? It’s hot in here.
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Offering to do something: Shall I…?
Question 6.
I (blank) swim when I was five.
Choose the right option
Past ability: could.
Question 7.
Her lights are on. She (blank) be at home.
Choose the right option
A confident deduction from evidence (the lights are on): must.
Question 8.
That (blank) be Anna — she’s in Paris this week.
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We are sure it’s impossible: can’t. Mustn’t isn’t used for deduction.
Question 9.
Yesterday I (blank) work late.
Choose the right option
Must has no past form; for past obligation use had to.
Question 10.
Take an umbrella. It (blank) rain later.
Choose the right option
Possible but not certain: might (or may). Must would mean we’re sure.
Question 11.
You (blank) have told me! I would have helped.
Choose the right option
Should have + V3 is criticism: you didn’t tell me, and you should have. Must have told would mean “I’m sure you told me”.
Question 12.
(blank) you help me with my bags, please?
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A polite request: Could you…? (or Can you…?, Would you…?).
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Take the level testModal verbs: the rule
No -s with he, she, it, no to after them and no do in questions.
Obligation and prohibition
Must and have to: it’s necessary. Mustn’t: it’s not allowed. Don’t have to: it’s not necessary.
You mustn’t park here.
not allowed
You don’t have to come.
not necessary
Advice and possibility
Should gives advice; may / might mean “possibly”.
You should see a doctor.
advice
I might be late.
maybe
Deduction: must and can’t
Must: I’m sure it’s true. Can’t: I’m sure it isn’t.
He must be at work.
I’m sure he is
That can’t be true.
I’m sure it isn’t
Typical mistakes
Things learners of English often say. On the left — what to avoid, on the right — the correct version.
Not this:
She cans swim.This: She can swim.
Modals never take -s.
Not this:
You should to see a doctor.This: You should see a doctor.
No to after should.
Not this:
You mustn’t come, it’s optional.This: You don’t have to come, it’s optional.
Mustn’t is a ban; don’t have to means optional.
Not this:
I musted work yesterday.This: I had to work yesterday.
Must has no past: use had to.
FAQ
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a request — we’ll tell you everything.
What is the difference between must and have to?
Must is an obligation the speaker feels; have to comes from rules and circumstances. In the negative they’re opposites: mustn’t is a ban, don’t have to means not necessary.
Can or could?
Can is ability and possibility now. Could is past ability, a polite request (Could you…?) and a less certain possibility.
What level is this quiz?
A2–B2: from can and must to deductions with must and can’t. A full table of meanings is in our English grammar reference.
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