MIXED MODALS EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
✓ Useful for TOEIC
✓ Useful for IELTS
This second mixed modals exercise practices 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 practices 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.
One of the most useful modal skills is being able to paraphrase — expressing the same meaning using a different modal or structure. This exercise practices 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.
Choose the modal verb that best completes each sentence.
1. Stop doing that. = You ________ do that.
Correct answer: can't
2. I'm certain that's her car. = That ________ be her car.
Correct answer: should
3. Is it possible that you come tomorrow? ________ you come tomorrow?
Correct answer: Can
4. I can't allow you to hang around here. = I ________ have you hanging around here.
Correct answer: can't
5. You ________ do this. There's no other option.
Correct answer: must
6. ________ I borrow your pen for a minute?
Correct answer: Can
7. P1: ________ you speak Japanese? P2: No, I can't.
Correct answer: Can
8. It's late. I ________ get going.
Correct answer: should
9. I saw that pen this morning. It ________ be around here somewhere.
Correct answer: must
10. I ________ understand what he's saying.
Correct answer: can't
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Modal verbs express ability, possibility, obligation, and more — these exercises cover the full range of uses.
More modal verb exercises:
Mixed modals 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed modals 3 (B1/B2)
Modals of speculation 1 (B1/B2)
Might not or could not? 1 (B1/B2)
Might not or could not? 2 (B1/B2)
Past modals 1 (B2)
Modals + infinitive 1 (B1/B2)
Related auxiliary verb exercises:
Auxiliary verbs 1 (A2/B1)
Auxiliary verbs 2 (A2/B1)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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Modal verbs express ability, possibility, obligation, and more — these exercises cover the full range of uses.
More modal verb exercises:
Mixed modals 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed modals 3 (B1/B2)
Modals of speculation 1 (B1/B2)
Might not or could not? 1 (B1/B2)
Might not or could not? 2 (B1/B2)
Past modals 1 (B2)
Modals + infinitive 1 (B1/B2)
Related auxiliary verb exercises:
Auxiliary verbs 1 (A2/B1)
Auxiliary verbs 2 (A2/B1)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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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.
