Modals in the Past - Exercise 2 | Continuing Studies at UVic

Modals in the Past - Exercise 2

Choose the best response for each situation.

Click on the button beside the correct answer.

Jenny bought a new sweater last week for $45.00. This week, the store is having a giant half-price sale on all merchandise.
1. Jenny had better waited until this week to buy the sweater.
2. Jenny had to have waited until this week to buy the sweater.
3. Jenny ought to wait until this week to buy the sweater.
4. Jenny should have waited until this week to buy the sweater.
I'm certain I left my sandwich on the table, but now I don't see it. I wonder what happened to it.
1. I suppose the dog might have ate it.
2. I guess the dog may have eaten it.
3. The dog should have eaten it.
4. I suppose the dog could have ate it.
Larry and his wife have wanted to have a baby for a long time. Recently, she became pregnant.
1. Larry may have been very pleased when he heard the news.
2. Larry might have been very pleased when he heard the news.
3. Larry had to have been pleased when he heard the news.
4. Larry must be pleased to hear the news.
I injured my back when I tried to move some heavy furniture.
1. I should have asked for help instead of trying to do it myself.
2. I must have asked for help instead of trying to do it by myself.
3. I ought to have asked to help rather than do it myself.
4. I should ask for help instead of trying to do it by myself.
I'm sorry we took our children to see that movie. It had too much violence.
1. We shouldn't never have took our children to such a movie.
2. We definitely ought to not taken our children to that movie.
3. We should never have took our children to a film such as that.
4. We should never have taken our children to that film.
I don't know why, but Wendy is very depressed today.
1. She might had an argument with her boyfriend last night.
2. She could have an argument with her boyfriend last night.
3. She must have had an argument with her boyfriend.
4. She could have had an argument with her boyfriend last night.
Jane accidentally left her purse at a coffee shop. When she returned later, it was gone.
1. Someone might have took it.
2. Somebody may have taken it.
3. Somebody must have taken it.
4. Somebody might have been taking it.
Carol lost marks because she handed her assignment in late.
1. She couldn't have handed it in late.
2. She shouldn't have handed it in late.
3. She mustn't have handed it in late.
4. She should not hand it in late.
Only a small number of students passed the history exam.
1. It could have been very difficult.
2. It must be difficult.
3. It may have been difficult.
4. It must have been difficult.
I rode my bicycle to the store, but didn't bother to lock it when I went inside. After I finished shopping, my bicycle was gone.
1. Somebody must be stealing it.
2. Someone must have stealed it.
3. Someone had to steal it.
4. Someone had to have stolen it.
Many of the guests at the banquet didn't finish their meals.
1. The food could have been tasty.
2. The food ought to have been tasty.
3. The food must not be tasty.
4. The food couldn't have been tasty.
Last Sunday was a very hot day. My wife and I spent several hours working in the garden, but we didn't put on any sunscreen. Now we are very sunburnt.
1. We must have used sunscreen.
2. We had to have used sunscreen.
3. We couldn't have been using sunscreen.
4. We ought to have been using sunscreen.
My friend forgot his wife's birthday. Now she's very angry.
1. He shouldn't be forgetting her birthday.
2. He ought to have remembered her birthday.
3. He has to have remembered her birthday.
4. He ought to have been remembering her birthday.
Jill was especially happy after her date with her boyfriend yesterday. I don't know why.
1. Her boyfriend might have asked her to marry him.
2. Her boyfriend might have been asking her to marry him.
3. Her boyfriend must have asked her to marry him.
4. Her boyfriend has to have asked her to marry him.