Modals Verb Test
Modals Verb Test
Present Tense
Use
Past Tense
Must / Have to
Cant / Mustnt
Can
Be able to
Dont have to
Permission
Could
B. Choose the correct modal verb to complete the sentence. Make sure to put the verb in the
correct tense (PAST or PRESENT).
MUST / HAVE TO
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
CANT / MUSTNT
CAN / BE ABLE TO
DONT HAVE TO
She _____________ finish the essay yesterday because her teacher asked her to do so.
You _____________ come back in the afternoon. All classes have been cancelled.
You _____________ take a break! Youve been studying too long.
_____________ you speak Spanish when you were 8?
You _____________ tip a taxi driver, its optional.
My brother David is very talented. He _____________ hold his breath for 3 minutes. Its amazing!
The teacher yelled at me yesterday. She said, Sally! You _____________ do all of your
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Answer Key:
A.
Present Tense
Use
Past Tense
Must / Have to
Obligation
Had to
Cant / Mustnt
Can
Be able to
Dont have to
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
had to
cant
must / have to
could
dont have to
can / is able to
must / have to
mustnt
didnt have to
could / was able to
couldnt
can
C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mustnt
Have to
Could
Arent able to
Dont have to
Can
Prohibition
Permission / Ability
Ability
Lack of necessity (optional)
Couldnt
Could
Was / Were able to
Didnt have to