Modals of probability – B1 English Grammar Test

1  Complete the modals of probability.

1   things that are possible   might   c………………

2   things we think are certain   m………………

3   things that are impossible   c………………

2  Write suitable modals of probability using the words in the box so that the second sentences match the first ones.

1   It’s definitely not an insect. It ……can’t…… be an insect.

2   Perhaps it’s a mole. It ……………. be a mole.

3   It’s definitely dangerous. It ……………. be dangerous.

4   Maybe it’s harmless. It ……………. be harmless.

5   It’s impossible that they’re bats. They ……………. be bats.

3  Complete the conversation with suitable words.

Alfie:   This animal is long.

Clara:   It 1……might…… be a snake.

Alfie:   It lives under the ground.

Clara:   I know! It 2……………… be a worm!

Alfie:   Yes, you’re right.

Clara:   OK, my turn. This animal has got wings.

Alfie:   It 3……………… be a bird or an insect.

Clara:   No, it’s neither of these!

Alfie:   Then it 4……………… be a bat.

Clara:   Well done!

Alfie:   I’m thinking of an animal with fur.

Clara:   It 5……………… be a deer, a fox or a wolf.

Alfie:   It isn’t nocturnal.

Clara:   OK, so it 6……………… be any of those animals. 7……………… it’s a donkey?

Alfie:   Yes, it is!

Clara:   This animal has got six legs.

Alfie:   Oh, it 8……………… be so many insects!

Clara:   OK. Another clue. It’s got colourful wings.

Alfie:   Ah, that’s easy! It 9……………… be a butterfly.

4  Underline and correct the mistake in each sentence.

1   It’s a very large fish with sharp teeth. It can’t be a shark.   ……must……

2   It’s an insect with wings. Must it be a fly?   …………………

3   These animals are poisonous so they might be donkeys.   …………………

4   It’s a really large bird. It can’t be an eagle or a vulture.   …………………

5   People think they’re insects, but they’ve got eight legs. They could be spiders.   …………………

5  Complete the texts with suitable modals of probability.

The flying fox

Is it a fox? It’s called a flying fox, but surely a fox 1……can’t…… fly. Its face looks a bit like a fox’s face, but it definitely 2……………… be another type of animal. It’s got wings, but it 3……………… be a bird. In fact, it’s a bat!

The urban fox

People think that there 4……………… be over 10,000 foxes living in London. Foxes generally live under the ground, and in the city they surely 5……………… live under trees and bushes, and in the parkland.

6  Rewrite the sentences using can’t, could, might or must.

1   It’s possible that it’s a frog.

      ……It could be a frog. ……

2   I’m certain it isn’t a dangerous animal.

      ……………………………………….

3   I’m sure worms are blind.

      ……………………………………….

4   A cat is definitely not a wild animal.

      ……………………………………….

5   Perhaps they’re nocturnal animals.

      ……………………………………….

6   I’m not sure if it’s an insect that stings.

      ……………………………………….