Dominio de Verbos Modales y Modales Perfectos en Inglés: Ejercicios Prácticos

Modals and Modal Perfects: Practical Exercises

Exercise A: Identifying Modals

1. The film has started. You MUST stop talking.
2. Excuse me, please. COULD you tell me how to get to...?
3. They will arrive late. They HAVE TO finish their homework.
4. It MAY rain tomorrow.
5. Linda has passed her driving test. She MUST be very happy.
6. They are having an important meeting. You SHOULDN'T disturb them.

Exercise B: Transforming Sentences with Modals

1. Kim isn't capable of moving the boxes. She CAN'T MOVE THE BOXES.
2. It isn't necessary for Lucy to come with us. Lucy NEEDN'T COME WITH US.
3. Go and see that film. It's fantastic. You SHOULD GO AND SEE THAT FILM.
4. It was impossible to hear a word they said. I COULDN'T HEAR A WORD THEY SAID.
5. It's forbidden to smoke here. You MUSTN'T SMOKE HERE.
6. There's a chance that he won't appear in the film. He MAY NOT APPEAR IN THE FILM.

Exercise C: Understanding Modal Perfects

1. I should have studied harder (B. I'm not satisfied with my results).
2. You could have called to say you would be late (B. Why didn't you?).
3. I would have visited you in hospital (A. I just didn't have the time).
4. I may have left my keys at school (B. I'm fairly sure they're there).

Exercise D: Applying Modal Perfects

1. I'm sure I forgot to lock the door when... (must) I MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO LOCK.
2. It was wrong of you to insult him in... (shouldn't) YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE INSULTED HIM IN FRONT...
3. You made a mistake when you didn't take my advice! (should) YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MY ADVICE!
4. It is possible that I have seen that film before (may) I MAY HAVE SEEN THAT FILM BEFORE.
5. I'm sure that Tom didn't recognize you (couldn't) TOM COULDN'T HAVE RECOGNIZED YOU.

Exercise E: Contextual Use of Modals and Modal Perfects

1. That film was very successful. It MUST HAVE MADE lots of money.
2. Where are my keys? I CAN'T FIND them.
3. I can't see Dave anywhere. He MIGHT HAVE STAYED at home.
4. That was a terrible film. We SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE to see it.
5. I'm sorry. I WOULD HAVE TOLD you before but I didn't want you to worry.
6. We're having a surprise party for Helen. She MUSTN'T FIND OUT about it.

Exercise F: Completing Sentences with Modals

1. (should/not believe) shouldn't believe.
2. (can/recognise) can recognise.
3. (might/not be) might not be.
4. (might/change) might have changed.
5. (able to/improve) are able to improve.
6. (must/be) must have been.
7. (should/not do) shouldn't have done.
8. (may/not be) may not be.

Additional Exercises (Photocopy)

Part A: Modal Selection

1. It's Jenny's birthday next week. We SHOULDN'T forget to buy her a nice present.
2. This is number 11 Chelsea Road, so we CAN'T be far from our destination.
3. In many countries, you MUST be at least 18 to buy alcoholic beverages.
4. I CAN'T go to the club tonight because I have to study.
5. In my opinion, you SHOULD eat more vegetables.
6. Yes, of course you MAY borrow this book after I finish reading it.

Part B: Modals in Context

Options: could / couldn't / can't / needn't / might / can

1. (run) could run.
2. (go out) might go out tonight.
3. (sleep) can't sleep well.
4. (bring) needn't bring anything.
5. (speak) can speak.
6. (come) couldn't come yesterday.

Part C: Sentence Rewriting

1. A. It's possible that I lost the book.
2. B. Jim didn't tell us he would be late.
3. A. The car was eventually fixed.
4. A. It was wrong of her to tell him about the surprise.
5. B. The children aren't smiling in the photograph.