ELC Study Zone: Modals of Possibility and Probability for Past Situations

Modals of Possibility and Probability for Past Situations - Exercise 1

Choose the correct modal to complete the sentence.

Click on the button beside the correct answer.

Paul's class starts at 8:30. It's 8:45 and he's not here yet. He _____________________________________________
1. might have missed the bus.
2. must be sick.
3. must have missed the bus.
4. must have been sick.
Our son promised to clean his room, but it is still messy. He ___________________________________________
1. cannot clean it.
2. couldn't to have cleaned it.
3. can't clean it.
4. couldn't have cleaned it.
Look! Our car isn't in the driveway! Somebody _________________________________________
1. must be stealing it.
2. could have stolen it.
3. might have stolen it.
4. must have stolen it.
Betty said she was hungry, but she didn't eat very much after all. She _______________________________________________
1. couldn't have been hungry.
2. couldn't like the food.
3. couldn't have liked the food.
4. can't like the food.
My friend promised to pick me up at 7:00. It's now 7:25 and I don't see him. He _________________________________________
1. might forget.
2. might have forgotten.
3. might be forgetting.
4. must have forgotten.
My plants are dead. I ________________________________________________
1. can't not have given them enough water.
2. couldn't give them enough water.
3. can't have given them enough water.
4. must give them more water.
My white shirt now has green streaks in it. I ____________________________________________
1. can't wash it properly.
2. must not have not washed it properly.
3. can't have washed it properly.
4. must to wash it properly.
The twins have guilty expressions on their faces. They ________________________________________
1. might have done something naughty.
2. might do something naughty.
3. must have done something naughty.
4. must do something naughty.
I don't know why he hasn't called me back. He __________________________________________________
1. must have forgotten my number.
2. might be forgetting my number.
3. might forget my number.
4. might have forgotten my number.
The hockey player's injury kept him out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He _____________________________________
1. must have been disappointed.
2. must have been disappointing.
3. might have been disappointed.
4. must have been disappointment.