Basic classroom tests OEGCB test6

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TEST 6 • modal verbs

Level 1

Oxford English Grammar Course Basic

Name 

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1 Modal verbs – forms. Make questions (?) or negatives (–). Where possible, use contracted forms
(e.g. mustn’t NOT must not).

  Can he ride a bicycle?

▲ ▲

Ben can’t drive. (he / ride a bicycle ?) 
  She shouldn’t do it now.
Samantha should phone her parents. (she / do it now –) 
1 You can park your car here. (you / leave it by the traffic lights  –) 
2 The children can play games on my computer. (they / watch TV ?) 
3 Marianne has to make lunch. (she / make supper  –) 
4 Peter had to do the washing up. (he / clean his clothes –) 
5 Frank will have to buy a ticket for New York. (he / get a visa  ?) 
6 Iris will have to go to the bus stop at 6 o’clock. (she / wait a long time for a bus –) 
7 You must use sun cream. (I / wear a hat ?) 
8 You must arrive on time. (be / late –) 
9 You should take more exercise. (you / smoke –) 
10 When she was ten months old she could walk. (she / talk –) 

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2 Must, have to, don’t have to etc.

Circle  the correct form.

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Does she have to / Does she has to / Does she must teach small children in her new job?
1George has to go / musts go / must to go to work early tomorrow. He has a meeting at 8.30.
2 When we were at school, we were have to do / had to do / musted do homework every night.
3 You must leave / Do you must leave / Must you leave now? It’s so early!
4We didn’t must pay / didn’t have to pay / not have to pay for the bus when we were children. It was free.
5 Everyone in the office will have to do / will must do / will must to do a computer course.
6 You’ll mustn’t to wait / You won’t have to wait / You won’t must wait for a bus at the station. I’ll drive you home.
7You don’t have to eat / mustn’t have to eat / mustn’t eat in the library.
8You don’t have to pay / mustn’t have to pay / mustn’t pay me now. You can wait until next week.

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3 May, might, may not, can’t etc. Correct (✓) or not (✗)?
1She may need help. I’ll ask her. 
2They may not be at home. They went on holiday yesterday. 
3They might want to go home now. I’ll ask them. 
4 The baby’s crying. May she be hungry? 
5 ‘Does Cathy drive?’  ‘I’m not sure. She might not be seventeen.’ 
6You can’t be old enough to drive! You look too young. 

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4 Can, could, may, would etc. Mark each request as more formal/polite (M), less formal/polite (L)
or wrong (✗).

L

▲

Can I have some more tea, please? 
I can have some more tea, please?  ✗
Could I have some more tea, please?  M
1 A Could you possibly move your suitcase? 

3 A Can I see the menu, please? 
B Could you move your suitcase? 
B Would I see the menu, please? 
C Could possibly you move your suitcase? 
C May I see the menu, please? 
2 A Could you like another sandwich? 
B Would you like another sandwich? 
C Do you want another sandwich? 

4 A I’d like a ticket to London, please. 
B I like a ticket to London, please. 
C Can I have a ticket to London, please? 


 

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Oxford English Grammar Course • Basic   TEST 6 • modal verbs  © Michael Swan and Catherine Walter  PHOTOCOPIABLE

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I could to climb trees when I was a boy, but I can’t climb them now. 
1 Did Sally could walk when she was one year old? 
2 Are you be able to come to my party tomorrow afternoon? 
3 I could’nt finish my lunch because I was so full. 
4 This pizza is so large I will be not able to finish it. 
5 I want to can drive next year. 

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6 Used to.

Level 1

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5 Could; be able to. These sentences are all wrong. Correct the mistakes.

  I could climb

Circle  the correct forms.

1Laura didn’t use to speak / didn’t used to speak any languages except English, but now she speaks Spanish.
2Ed use to go / used to go to work by bus, but now he goes by bicycle.
3I watch / use to watch a lot of films on TV but I don’t go to the cinema much.
4

Did your brother use to play / used to play hockey for his school?

5

Most people used not have / didn’t have cars when my grandfather was a boy.

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7 Mixed structures. Which sentence means the same?

Circle  A or B.

B Would you like me to clean your shoes?

1 Shall we leave the car here?
A Are we going to leave the car here?

B Is it a good idea to leave the car here?

2 Would you like to play chess?
A Do you want to play chess?

B Do you like playing chess?

3You should learn to swim if you want to go sailing.
A You must learn to swim: it’s a rule.

B It would be good to learn to swim.

4You don’t have to pay me today.
A It isn’t necessary for you to pay me today.

B You mustn’t pay me today.

5You may not speak during the test.
A It’s possible you won’t speak during the test.

B It isn’t OK for you to speak during the test.

▲

Shall I clean your shoes?
A Am I going to clean your shoes?

6Harry may not come to my party. He has to work late.
A
I don’t want Harry to come to my party.
B Perhaps Harry isn’t coming to my party.
7People shouldn’t smoke in cars.
A
It’s not good for people to smoke in cars.B People must never smoke in cars.
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Oxford English Grammar Course • Basic   TEST 6 • modal verbs  © Michael Swan and Catherine Walter  PHOTOCOPIABLE