Modal Verbs Quiz: Test Your Knowledge with Practice Questions
Take our modal verbs quiz with 20 practice questions. Test knowledge of can, could, must, should, may, might, will, would, shall. Answers and explanations included.
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Modal Verbs Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
20 practice questions on can, could, must, should, may, might, will, would, and shall. Each question includes an answer and explanation to help you learn.
How the quiz works
Read each sentence and choose the correct modal verb. Click "Show answer" to check. Review the explanation to understand why each answer is correct. If you need a refresher, read our complete modal verbs guide first.
Modal Verbs Quiz: 20 Questions
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1. You ________ see a doctor. That cough sounds serious.
a) can b) should c) may
Show answer
b) should. Should expresses advice or recommendation. The speaker is advising a doctor visit.
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2. ________ I borrow your pen, please?
a) Must b) May c) Will
Show answer
b) May. May is used for polite requests and asking permission.
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3. She ________ speak three languages fluently.
a) can b) must c) shall
Show answer
a) can. Can expresses ability. She has the ability to speak three languages.
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4. You ________ park here. It is a restricted area.
a) must not b) might not c) could not
Show answer
a) must not. Must not (mustn't) expresses prohibition something is not allowed.
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5. It ________ rain later. The sky looks cloudy.
a) must b) might c) can
Show answer
b) might. Might expresses possibility. Rain is possible but not certain.
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6. ________ you help me carry this bag?
a) Could b) Must c) Shall
Show answer
a) Could. Could is a polite way to ask for help or make a request.
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7. We ________ hurry or we will miss the train.
a) might b) had better c) can
Show answer
b) had better. Had better expresses strong advice with a consequence if not followed.
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8. When I was young, I ________ run very fast.
a) can b) could c) might
Show answer
b) could. Could is the past form of can, used for past ability.
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9. You ________ finish your homework before you play games.
a) must b) may c) would
Show answer
a) must. Must expresses strong obligation or necessity.
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10. ________ we go to the park this afternoon?
a) May b) Shall c) Must
Show answer
b) Shall. Shall is used for making suggestions or offers, especially in British English.
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11. He ________ be at home. His car is in the driveway.
a) must b) can c) might
Show answer
a) must. Must expresses logical certainty or strong probability based on evidence.
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12. Students ________ use their phones during the exam.
a) cannot b) might not c) should not
Show answer
a) cannot. Cannot (can't) expresses prohibition in formal rules.
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13. I ________ like to order the pasta, please.
a) must b) would c) can
Show answer
b) would. Would like is a polite way to express a desire or preference.
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14. You ________ try the new restaurant. The food is excellent.
a) must b) could c) shall
Show answer
a) must. Must can express enthusiastic recommendation or strong suggestion.
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15. ________ you open the window? It is hot in here.
a) May b) Must c) Would
Show answer
c) Would. Would is used for polite requests in formal and informal contexts.
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16. The meeting ________ start at 3 PM, but check your email to confirm.
a) should b) must c) can
Show answer
a) should. Should expresses expectation something is likely or expected to happen.
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17. We ________ visit our grandparents this weekend if we have time.
a) may b) must c) can
Show answer
a) may. May expresses possibility with a higher probability than might.
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18. Every citizen ________ obey the law.
a) must b) can c) may
Show answer
a) must. Must expresses general obligation or a legal requirement.
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19. If I had more time, I ________ travel around the world.
a) would b) must c) can
Show answer
a) would. Would is used in conditional sentences (if ... would) to express hypothetical results.
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20. You ________ smoke in this building. It is against the law.
a) cannot b) might not c) should not
Show answer
a) cannot. Cannot (can't) expresses prohibition. The building has a legal smoking ban.
What your score means
- 18-20 correct: Excellent. You have mastered modal verbs.
- 14-17 correct: Good. Review the questions you missed.
- 10-13 correct: Fair. Read our modal verbs guide and try again.
- Below 10: Keep studying. Practice with a tutor for personalised help.
Modal Verbs Quick Reference
| Modal Verb | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can | Ability, permission | I can swim. |
| Could | Past ability, polite request | Could you help me? |
| May | Permission, possibility | May I come in? |
| Might | Possibility (uncertain) | It might snow. |
| Must | Obligation, certainty | You must try this. |
| Should | Advice, expectation | You should rest. |
| Will | Future, willingness | I will help you. |
| Would | Polite request, conditional | Would you like tea? |
| Shall | Suggestion (UK English) | Shall we go? |
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