Hellen Keller Reading Comprehension Quiz - A Complete Grammar Test

1. I’d like you to know the story of Helen Keller, who could neither see nor hear from the time she was a baby. Yet the brilliant girl was able to overcome all those handicaps, to graduate from a college with honors and become a useful citizen.

The second modal verb underlined can be replaced by:

Must

Might

Should

Could

The second modal verb "was able to" can be replaced by "could" because it indicates the ability or possibility of Helen Keller overcoming her handicaps and achieving success. "Could" is a modal verb that expresses past ability or possibility.

Explanation

The second modal verb "was able to" can be replaced by "could" because it indicates the ability or possibility of Helen Keller overcoming her handicaps and achieving success. "Could" is a modal verb that expresses past ability or possibility.

2. The little child was now doomed to a life of silence and darkness. She could not hear what was said to her and did not know how to talk. Identify the modals:

Could not hear

Was now

Doomed to

Said to

The modal in this sentence is "could." It is used to express the child's inability to hear. The phrase "could not hear" indicates that the child was unable to perceive sound.

Explanation

The modal in this sentence is "could." It is used to express the child's inability to hear. The phrase "could not hear" indicates that the child was unable to perceive sound.

3. I must say there was nothing wrong with Helen Keller when she was born. Her father and mother were very proud of their pretty baby, who tried to say "pa-pa" and "ma-ma". Identify the modals:

Must say

Nothing wrong

Was born

Very proud

The modal verb "must" is used to express obligation or necessity. In this sentence, it is used to emphasize the speaker's certainty or insistence on stating something. "Say" is the main verb in the sentence. "Nothing wrong" is a noun phrase that describes the absence of any issues or problems. "Was born" is the past tense form of the verb "to be" used to indicate the birth of Helen Keller. "Very proud" is an adjective phrase that describes the strong feeling of satisfaction or pleasure that Helen Keller's parents had.

Explanation

The modal verb "must" is used to express obligation or necessity. In this sentence, it is used to emphasize the speaker's certainty or insistence on stating something. "Say" is the main verb in the sentence. "Nothing wrong" is a noun phrase that describes the absence of any issues or problems. "Was born" is the past tense form of the verb "to be" used to indicate the birth of Helen Keller. "Very proud" is an adjective phrase that describes the strong feeling of satisfaction or pleasure that Helen Keller's parents had.

4. When Helen was 6 years old her parents took her to Baltimore and then to Washington to famous doctors to find out if they could do something to make her hear and see again, but the doctors could do nothing.

Could do

Her parents

Took her

To find

The phrase "could do" in this context refers to the ability or capability of the doctors to help Helen hear and see again. The sentence states that despite her parents taking her to famous doctors in Baltimore and Washington, the doctors were unable to do anything to restore her hearing and vision. Therefore, the correct answer is "could do" because it accurately reflects the doctors' inability to help Helen.

Explanation

The phrase "could do" in this context refers to the ability or capability of the doctors to help Helen hear and see again. The sentence states that despite her parents taking her to famous doctors in Baltimore and Washington, the doctors were unable to do anything to restore her hearing and vision. Therefore, the correct answer is "could do" because it accurately reflects the doctors' inability to help Helen.

5. But one day the child fell ill. She must have been very ill. For days she was laid up with a high fever and soon the parents learned that their darling would never be able to see and hear. Identify the modals:

Must have been

Very ill

One day

Parents learned

The modal "must have been" is used to express a strong belief or assumption about something that happened in the past. In this case, it suggests that the child was very ill based on the information given.

Explanation

The modal "must have been" is used to express a strong belief or assumption about something that happened in the past. In this case, it suggests that the child was very ill based on the information given.

6. When Hellen was born she couldn't see or hear. Her parents were so sad!

True

False

not-available-via-ai

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

7. Dr. Bell said the Kellers should address the Perkins Institution for the blind in Boston and ask if they could send someone to help the child. Identify the modals:

Dr. Bell

Ask if

Could send

Someone to help

The modal verb "could" is used in the sentence to express the possibility or ability to send someone to help the child. It suggests that Dr. Bell is suggesting that the Kellers should ask the Perkins Institution if they have the capability to send someone to assist the child.

Explanation

The modal verb "could" is used in the sentence to express the possibility or ability to send someone to help the child. It suggests that Dr. Bell is suggesting that the Kellers should ask the Perkins Institution if they have the capability to send someone to assist the child.

8. The doctors say they couldn't help her, so they should call an institute in Boston to see if they could send someone to help.There are two sentences using could. Do they have the same meaning?

True

False

The two sentences using "could" in this context do not have the same meaning. In the first sentence, "couldn't help her" implies that the doctors were unable to provide assistance. In the second sentence, "could send someone to help" suggests that the institute in Boston has the potential or ability to send someone for assistance. Thus, the meaning of the two sentences using "could" is different.

Explanation

The two sentences using "could" in this context do not have the same meaning. In the first sentence, "couldn't help her" implies that the doctors were unable to provide assistance. In the second sentence, "could send someone to help" suggests that the institute in Boston has the potential or ability to send someone for assistance. Thus, the meaning of the two sentences using "could" is different.

9. I'd like you to know the story of Helen Keller, who could neither see nor hear from the time she was a baby. Yet the brilliant girl was able to overcome all those handicaps, to graduate from a college with honors and become a useful citizen. What does the first Modal Verb used in the first underline sentence mean?

There was a possibility

There was a certainty

She didn't have the ability

There was an obligation

The first modal verb used in the first underline sentence, "could," indicates that Helen Keller did not have the ability to see or hear from the time she was a baby.

Explanation

The first modal verb used in the first underline sentence, "could," indicates that Helen Keller did not have the ability to see or hear from the time she was a baby.

10. For nineteen months Helen grew bigger and stronger. She was able to walk when she was a year old; she could say a few words. Identify the modals:

Nineteen months

Grew bigger

Was able to walk

Year old

The modals in the given sentence are "was able to" and "could". These modals indicate the ability or possibility of an action. In this case, "was able to" indicates Helen's ability to walk when she was a year old, and "could" indicates her ability to say a few words.

Explanation

The modals in the given sentence are "was able to" and "could". These modals indicate the ability or possibility of an action. In this case, "was able to" indicates Helen's ability to walk when she was a year old, and "could" indicates her ability to say a few words.