MIXED MODALS EXERCISE 2 (CAN, SHOULD & MUST) (ESL)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

✓ Useful for TOEIC ✓ Useful for IELTS

This second mixed modals exercise practises choosing between can, should, and must in a range of everyday contexts. It includes some trickier cases, such as paraphrasing sentences that use equivalent modal expressions and distinguishing between ability and strong necessity. Start with exercise 1 if you haven't already.

GRAMMAR REVIEW! Can, should and must — paraphrasing and equivalence

One of the most useful modal skills is being able to paraphrase — expressing the same meaning using a different modal or structure. This exercise practises exactly that.

CAN ↔ BE ABLE TO / BE ALLOWED TO
You’re not allowed to park here. = Parking is prohibited here.
Is he able to drive? = Does he know how to drive?

MUST ↔ HAVE TO
Both express strong necessity, but in the negative they diverge significantly:
You mustn’t tell anyone. (= it is forbidden)
You don’t have to tell anyone. (= it is not necessary, but allowed)

SHOULD ↔ OUGHT TO
Both express advice or recommendation with roughly equal strength:
You ought to see a doctor about that. = It would be a good idea to see a doctor.

Pay close attention to whether a sentence is expressing ability, permission, necessity, or advice — that is the key to choosing the right paraphrase.

READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!

Choose the modal verb that best completes each sentence.

1. Stop doing that. = You ________ do that.
  shouldn't
  can't

2. I'm certain that's her car. = That ________ be her car.
  should
  must

3. Is it possible that you come tomorrow? ________ you come tomorrow?
  Should
  Can
  Must

4. I can't allow you to hang around here. = I ________ have you hanging around here.
  shouldn't
  can't

5. You ________ do this. There's no other option.
  must
  should

6. ________ I borrow your pen for a minute?
  Should
  Can

7. P1: ________ you speak Japanese? P2: No, I can't.
  Can
  Must

8. It's late. I ________ get going.
  should
  can

9. I saw that pen this morning. It ________ be around here somewhere.
  can
  must

10. I ________ understand what he's saying.
  shouldn't
  can't

CHECK ANSWERS
(Your answers will be displayed in a new window)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MODAL EXERCISES:
Mixed modals 1 (can, should, must) (I)
Mixed modals 2 (can, should, must) (I)
Mixed modals 3 (can, should, must) (I)
Modals of speculation 1 (I)
Past modals (should have, must have, etc.) 1
Modals with the infinitive 1 (B)
Modals with the infinitive 2 (B)
Modals (couldn’t / might not) (I)

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Did you know? Unlike most English proficiency tests, the Cambridge English Qualifications include a dedicated grammar section called “Use of English.” This appears in the FCE (B2 First), CAE (C1 Advanced), and CPE (C2 Proficiency) exams and tests grammar and vocabulary directly through tasks such as multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, and sentence transformations. If you’re preparing for a Cambridge exam, targeted grammar practice — including modal verbs — is essential.

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