Test on Modal Verbs: Usage and Forms
Modal Verbs: Usage and Forms – Your Comprehensive Guide
Test: English modal verbs
20 questions
Question 1: The modal phrase 'Can't have done' is used to express certainty about a past action.
A. Yes
B. No
Explanation: The study materials indicate that 'Can't have done' is used to express certainty about a past action, such as in the example 'Betty can’t have stolen grandma’s tlačenka. She’s on holiday.'
Question 2: In the idiomatic expression "Try as I might/may," the modal verb "may" refers to past time.
A. Yes
B. No
Explanation: According to the study materials, in the idiomatic expression "Try as I might/may," "May refers to present time" while "Might refers to past time."
Question 3: Does the phrase 'shouldn’t have eaten' in the sentence 'Grandma shouldn’t have eaten so much tlačenka at the party. It always makes her sick.' refer to an unfulfilled past expectation?
A. Yes
B. No
Explanation: The study materials explicitly categorize the example 'Grandma shouldn’t have eaten so much tlačenka at the party. It always makes her sick.' under 'Criticism', not 'Expectation'.
Question 4: The modal verb 'should' can be used to express an expectation.
A. Yes
B. No
Explanation: The study materials state that 'should' has different uses and meanings, with 'Expectation' listed as one of them, providing examples like 'The party should be really great.' and 'Jason should get an A on the test.'
Question 5: When 'could' is used with comparative adjectives, it typically expresses an action that will likely happen in the future.
A. Yes
B. No
Explanation: The study materials indicate that 'could' used with comparative adjectives, specifically in its negative form like 'couldn’t be worse' or 'couldn’t be happier', expresses an extreme state, not a future action.