Modals In Past
- 1.
I can't find my keys! They ______________ out of my pocket when I was getting out of the car.
- A.
Should have fallen
- B.
Must have fallen
- C.
Might have fallen
- D.
Had to fall
Correct Answer(s)
B. Must have fallen
C. Might have fallen -
- 2.
Of course we're lost! That map is ten years old at least.I told you we _____________ Tom's SatNav (GPS)
- A.
Can have borrowed
- B.
Could have borrowed
- C.
Should have borrowed
- D.
Might have borrowed
Correct Answer(s)
B. Could have borrowed
C. Should have borrowed -
- 3.
I'm reading a murder mystery story by Agatha Christie. You have to guess who killed Sir Reginald. From what I have read, he __________ killed by the chambermaid, but you never know.......
- A.
Can have been
- B.
Can't have been
- C.
Must have been
- D.
Mustn't have been
Correct Answer(s)
B. Can't have been
C. Must have beenExplanation
The possible answers are direct opposites: CAN'T HAVE BEEN means you believe it wasn't her, while MUST HAVE BEEN means you are sure she was the murderer.
CAN HAVE BEEN and MUSTN'T HAVE BEEN do not exist!Rate this question:
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- 4.
Paul didn't come to the party. It's a pity, because I __________ to see him.
- A.
Could have liked
- B.
Should have liked
- C.
Would have liked
- D.
Will have liked
Correct Answer
C. Would have liked -
- 5.
'Sarah says she's almost finished painting the house.''And you believe her? I bet you that when we visit her at Christmas she ___________.'
- A.
Mustn't have finished
- B.
Shouldn't have finished
- C.
Wouldn't have finished
- D.
Won't have finished
Correct Answer
D. Won't have finished -
- 6.
I didn't know they had divorced! I spent 5 minutes telling Helen how lucky she was to have a husband like David. You _________ me!
- A.
Could have told
- B.
Should have told
- C.
Ought to have told
- D.
Had to tell
Correct Answer(s)
A. Could have told
B. Should have told
C. Ought to have told -
- 7.
England _____________ the match if the referee hadn't been so obviously on Germany's side!
- A.
Could have won
- B.
Should have won
- C.
Might have won
- D.
Would have won
Correct Answer(s)
A. Could have won
B. Should have won
C. Might have won
D. Would have won -
- 8.
'How was your holiday in the Carribean?''Different! On the second and third day we had to stay indoors because we were hit by a hurricane.''Oh! That _____________ terrifying!'
- A.
Should have been
- B.
Might have been
- C.
Must have been
- D.
Will have been
Correct Answer
C. Must have been -
- 9.
'No, Simon didn't want to take me to the interview, so I went by train.''That's not fair! He ______________ you anyway, because he had to look after Granny.'
- A.
Couldn't have taken
- B.
Can't have taken
- C.
Might not have taken
- D.
Shouldn't have taken
Correct Answer(s)
A. Couldn't have taken
C. Might not have takenExplanation
The two possible answers have different meanings: COULDN'T HAVE TAKEN implies that he would have done it, while MIGHT HAVE TAKEN keeps an element of doubt.Rate this question:
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- 10.
'I haven't seen Rob. Hasn't he come today?''No, he hasn't. He ___________ told to work late.'
- A.
Could have been
- B.
Might have been
- C.
May have been
- D.
Must have been
Correct Answer(s)
A. Could have been
B. Might have been
C. May have been
D. Must have been -
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Current Version
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Mar 19, 2022Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Nov 21, 2015Quiz Created by
Jonathan Olliffe
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