Ejercicios Resueltos con Verbos Modales en Inglés

Sección 1: Práctica de Verbos Modales

1. Complete the sentences with a suitable modal verb. (5 marks)

• 1. Young people in Israel must do military service. It’s the law.
• 2. I think you should be quiet now – you’ll wake up the neighbours.
• 3. There ought to be a sign here telling people not to park.
• 4. I’m sorry, you can’t buy alcohol. You’re too young.
• 5. I’ve got an idea; we could ask an adult to help us.

2. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first sentence. Use a suitable modal verb. (5 marks)

• 1. It’s possible that he doesn’t understand the instructions.
  → He might not understand the instructions.
• 2. She’s able to do whatever she wants.
  → She can do whatever she wants.
• 3. You don’t have to listen to him. He’s not your boss.
  → You don’t need to listen to him.
• 4. We are obliged to wait here until a police officer arrives.
  → We must wait here until a police officer arrives.
• 5. You aren’t allowed to get married until your parents agree.
  → You can’t get married until your parents agree.

3. Rewrite the sentences using the bold words. (5 marks)

• 1. It wasn’t necessary for you to buy a present – that’s very kind. (needn’t)
  → You needn’t have bought a present – that’s very kind.
• 2. It was possible that he broke into the bank. (could)
  → He could have broken into the bank.
• 3. I don’t think that she smashed the window. She was with me. (couldn’t)
  → She couldn’t have smashed the window.
• 4. The protest would possibly have ended peacefully if the police hadn’t arrived. (might)
  → The protest might have ended peacefully if the police hadn’t arrived.
• 5. The best solution would have been for them to let everyone just go home. (ought)
  → They ought to have let everyone just go home.

4. Correct the mistakes in the sentences. (5 marks)

• 1. They needn’t have arrested so many of those young rioters.
• 2. You didn’t need to tell me about it – I already knew.
• 3. Why weren’t you wearing your helmet? You could have been killed!
• 4. That was quite rude. You really needn’t have said that.
• 5. I ought to have worked harder to pass the test.

Sección 2: Ejercicios Avanzados

1. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first sentence. Use a suitable modal. (5 marks)

• 1. I’m able to do what I want now that I’m eighteen.
  → I can do what I want now that I’m eighteen.
• 2. Until recently you were able to buy cigarettes at that supermarket.
  → Until recently you could buy cigarettes at that supermarket.
• 3. It is possible that the brick was thrown by a protester.
  → The brick might have been thrown by a protester.
• 4. Maybe he didn’t see the red light in time.
  → He might not have seen the red light in time.
• 5. They didn’t have to apologize. They did nothing wrong.
  → They needn’t have apologized.

2. Correct the mistakes in the sentences. (5 marks)

• 1. She was very badly injured in the accident. She can’t wear a seat belt.
  → She was very badly injured in the accident. She couldn’t wear a seat belt.
• 2. You need have bought milk. I went to the shop earlier.
  → You needn’t have bought milk. I went to the shop earlier.
• 3. The police might arrest you if they’d seen what you had done.
  → The police might have arrested you if they’d seen what you had done.
• 4. I think she can own up. Everybody knows that she is guilty.
  → I think she should own up. Everybody knows that she is guilty.
• 5. You couldn’t go there. That sign says it’s illegal to trespass.
  → You mustn’t go there. That sign says it’s illegal to trespass.

3. Rewrite the sentences using the correct form of the bold words. (4 marks)

• 1. It wasn’t possible that you saw her yesterday. (could)
  → You couldn’t have seen her yesterday.
• 2. It was crazy that he was sent to prison for such a minor offence. (should)
  → He shouldn’t have been sent to prison for such a minor offence.
• 3. It would have been the best thing if they had dropped the charges. (ought)
  → They ought to have dropped the charges.
• 4. I would advise that you get more sleep. (need)
  → You need to get more sleep.