Modals (1): necessity, obligation, prohibition and advice – B2 English Grammar Test

1  Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1   You have to / ought to / mustn’t drive if you feel dizzy.

2   I’m so stressed. I don’t have to / need to / mustn’t relax.

3   You must / should / shouldn’t be over 18 to come to this gym.

4   It’s getting late. You needn’t / don’t have to / had better go to bed soon.

5   If you’ve got a headache you have to / ought to / needn’t lie down for a minute.

6   When my parents are out, I have to / mustn’t / should look after my little sister.

7   This reaction is completely normal. You should / needn’t / need to worry.

8   If you panic, you mustn’t / should / needn’t take a deep breath.

9   You must / don’t have to / have to print this form. You can email it to us.

2  Read the pairs of sentences and decide if they have a similar (S) or different (D) meaning. If different, change the modal verb in sentence B so that the meaning is the same.

1   A   Wendy should chill out.

      B   Wendy ought to relax.   ……S……

2   A   Calvin has to stay inside.

      B   Calvin doesn’t have to go outside.   …………..

3   A   You must remember your passport.

      B   You mustn’t forget your passport.   …………..

4   A   He’d better drink lots of water.

      B   He ought to stay hydrated.   …………..

5   A   I need to pass all my exams.

      B   I shouldn’t fail any of my exams.   …………..

6   A   We’ve got to get there early.

      B   We mustn’t get there late.   …………..

3  Rewrite the sentences with the words in brackets so that they mean the same.

1   I think it’s a good idea if we book a table.

      ……We ought to book a table. …… (ought to)

2   You’re not allowed to feed the animals.

      ……………………………………………………. (mustn’t)

3   It isn’t necessary for Sandra to bring a racquet.

      ……………………………………………………. (needn’t)

4   It’s essential that we finish the project soon.

      ……………………………………………………. (have got to)

5   Getting some rest would be good for them.

      ……………………………………………………. (should)

6   It’s obligatory for visitors to wear a hat.

      ……………………………………………………. (must)

7   There’s no obligation for you to decide today.

      ……………………………………………………. (don’t have to)

8   It would be really bad if you missed this train.

      ……………………………………………………. (had better)

4  Put a tick (✓) if the sentence is correct or a cross (✗) if it is incorrect. Correct the mistakes.

1   That colour doesn’t suit you. You should to try the red one. ✗

      ……That colour doesn’t suit you. You should try the red one. ……

2   Maybe we ought to call back later. ……

      ……………………………………………………

3   I’ll pick Noa up. You needn’t to worry. ……

      ……………………………………………………

4   You mustn’t touch any of the exhibits in the museum. ……

      ……………………………………………………

5   You’ve been working for ages. You should take a break. ……

      ……………………………………………………

6   The fridge was full of food so we needn’t go to the supermarket when we arrived. ……

      ……………………………………………………

7   I can’t go to the cinema tomorrow. I must to study. ……

      ……………………………………………………

8   Anna had better not lose that bracelet I lent her. ……

      ……………………………………………………

5  Complete the conversation with the words in the box. If the word is a regular verb, put it in the correct tense.

Abby:   Sorry I missed your call yesterday. I 1……wasn’t feeling…… well.

Huw:   Are you okay?

Abby:   Yeah, but I 2…………………… with a lot of headaches recently. Most mornings.

Huw:   Maybe you 3…………………… to see your doctor.

Abby:   You’re right. I probably 4…………………… make an appointment, but I think they’ll go away as soon as I’m done with this project.

Huw:   When’s the deadline?

Abby:   I 5…………………… hand 6…………………… in until next month, thankfully, so I’ve got plenty of time.

Huw:   That’s good.

Abby:   Yeah, but the last few months 7…………………… crazy. I 8…………………… never so much work in my life. Anyway, I had 9…………………… run. I 10…………………… get to the post office before it closes and pick something up.

Huw:   No worries. Look 11…………………… yourself!