Question

Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals:
a. Drivers ____stop when the traffic lights are red. (must/may)
b. _____ I ask you a question? (can/may)
c. Take an umbrella. It____rain later. (should/might)
d. _____ you excuse me for a moment? (would/should)
e. Parents____take care of their children. (may/ought to)
f. Since our bags are identical, you____have taken mine by mistake. (can/could)
g. I ____ speak Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. (can/will)
h. I_____ be able to help you. (might/would)
i. You_____not touch this. (may/must)
j. I _____swim since I was five. (have been able to, will be able to)
k. If I had shown up on time, I____ have kept my job. (may/might)
l. ____ you help in the project? (Can/will)
m. Do you think we ____ tell them? (Should/would)
n. Do you ____ work this weekend? (Must/have to)
o. Did she ____ see a doctor? (Need to/must)

Answer 1

Hint: Modals are verbs that are distinct from regular verbs. They're never employed by themselves; they're always followed by the main verb. They provide more details about the main verb.

Complete answer:
a) Must: Correct option. The rule for using Modal ‘Must' is that it should be used to convey obligation/duty, necessity, compulsion, prohibition, explicit advice, determination. The above sentence shows that it is the obligation of the driver to stop the bus when the traffic light is red.
May: Incorrect option. “May” is a modal that expresses possibility, permission, want, faith, hope, or a goal.

b) Can: Correct option. The modal ‘Can' is only used to represent permission, possibility, ability, or capacity, according to the rules.
May: Incorrect option. Modal ‘May' is used to communicate possibility, permission, wish, faith, hope, or a purpose, according to the norm.

c) Should: The Modal ‘Should' is used to represent logical interference, presumption, assumption, possibility, or probability, according to the norm.
Might: Correct Option. The modal ‘Might' is used to suggest less possibility, authorization, or a guess, according to the norm. It also expresses less probability for the occurrence of an action.

d) Would: Correct option. The guideline for using modal ‘would' is that it conveys past practices, polite requests, wishes/preferences, or a hypothetical state. The sentence expresses the wish of the speaker to be excused.
Should: Incorrect option. The modal ‘Should' is used to communicate duty, obligation, advisability, or desirability, according to the norm. Hence, it is the wrong choice.

e) May: Incorrect option. Modal ‘May' is used to communicate possibility, permission, wish, faith, hope, or a purpose, according to the norm. The above sentence interprets the duty and no faith or hope.
Ought to: Correct option. The rule for using Modal ‘Ought' is that it is used to indicate a subject's responsibility or duty, as well as to provide advice. It is the duty of the subject, here parents to look after their children.

f) Can: Correct option. The modal ‘Can' is used to represent permission, possibility, ability, or capacity, according to the rules. The above sentence shows the possibility of a mistake. Hence, this is the correct option.
Could: Incorrect option: The criteria for using Modal ‘Could' is that it should be used to communicate past ability or capacity. The sentence depicts neither a request or communication of a past ability. Hence, it is the wrong choice.

g) Can: Correct option. Here “Can” expresses the possibility and the ability of the person to speak Chinese, Japanese and Spanish.
Will: Incorrect option. The trait, habit, assumption, invitation or request, and demand are all conveyed through the usage of Modal ‘will.' Hence, it is an incorrect option.

h) Might: Correct option. To convey permission, in the sense of being allowed to do something, in formal contexts. It is more courteous and cautious than may.
Would: Incorrect option. The guideline for using modal ‘would' is that it conveys past practices, polite requests, wishes/preferences, or a hypothetical situation. Hence, this option is incorrect.

i) May: Incorrect option. The month of May is used to indicate current and future possibilities. To express approval in a formal setting, in the sense of being permitted to do something.
Must: Correct option. To make command in a more respectful manner, must (and its negative contracted version mustn't) is employed. The above-mentioned sentence is prohibiting an action. Hence, this is the correct option.

j) Have been able to: Correct option. “Have been able to” communicates a completed or ongoing action from the past to the present. Hence, it is the right option.
Will be able to: Incorrect. It depicts a future prospect, which is inappropriate. Hence, “Will be able to” is the wrong choice.

k) May: correct option. In formal circumstances, the word may is used to signify authorization, as in being allowed to do something. It also indicates present and future possibilities.
Might: Incorrect option. Might is a formal word that can also be used to signify permission, as in being authorised to accomplish something. It also expresses the present, future, and history as possibilities.

l) Can: Incorrect option. Can denote ability, as in knowing how to or being capable of doing something. It expresses authorization in informal contexts, like in being authorised to do something. It also demonstrates the potential of action in the sense that it is theoretically possible.
Will: Correct option. Makes forecasts, communicates willingness or interest and expresses intention. It can also be used to reassure or assist someone in making a decision.

m) should: Correct option. It offers a recommendation or conveys the impression of a responsibility
Would: Incorrect option. It enquires about willingness, engages in routine action, makes a remark about someone's distinctive conduct, makes a remark about a hypothetical possibility, and makes a remark about a likely truth. It's also used to beg for something, make a request, or express preferences.

n) Must: Incorrect option. It makes an educated guess, but with some certainty. It also creates a more respectable command. It can also be used to represent prohibition in a negative sense.
Have to: Correct option. The rule for using Modal "Have to" is to use it in the meaning of "must" when giving advice or recommending something.

o) Need to: Correct option. The need can function as either a modal or a primary verb. Need is most commonly used as a modal verb in negative sentences or affirmative statements with a negative meaning. It denotes a lack of responsibility or requirement.
Must: Incorrect option. The rule for using Modal ‘Must' is that it should be used to convey obligation/duty, necessity, compulsion.

Note: Rules of modals:
- Use the modal verb in its current form. Don't alter its form by transforming it into the present, future, or past.
- After a modal, use the verb's basic form. Use "to" or the full infinitive verb "to" instead.
- Only add “not” AFTER the modal verb if you need to employ modals in the negative form.