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Year 9 English — Modals of obligation and probability

Say how strong an obligation is with must, have to, should and ought to, and say how sure you are with must, might and cannot.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1."Must" has no past form, so a sentence about yesterday needs a different verb. Yesterday I ____ stay back and finish the work.

    • a) had to
    • b) must have
    • c) must
    • d) have to

  2. 2.Sort each sentence by whether it forbids something or simply says it is not necessary.

    Groups: Forbids it · Says it is not necessary

    • You must not open that door.
    • Players must not argue with the umpire.
    • You do not have to open that door.
    • Players do not have to bring their own bats.

  3. 3.Which sentence says the speaker is certain that something is NOT true?

    • a) She should be the new librarian.
    • b) She must be the new librarian.
    • c) She might be the new librarian.
    • d) She cannot be the new librarian.

  4. 4.Fill the gap so that the sentence means there is no need at all: "There is plenty of time — we ____ leave before six."

  5. 5.Sort each sentence by what its modal verb is doing.

    Groups: Says there is no choice · Gives advice

    • I think you should ask your teacher first.
    • Visitors have to sign the register at the gate.
    • Passengers must show their tickets to the guard.
    • Every rider must wear a helmet.
    • You should get more sleep before the exam.
    • You ought to apologise to her.

  6. 6.The classroom lights are off and the door is locked. Where is the class?

    • a) They cannot be inside.
    • b) They must be inside.
    • c) They should be inside.
    • d) They have to be inside.

  7. 7.Write the one word that shows the speaker is certain: "Ravi's bag is here but his shoes are gone, so he ____ be outside."

  8. 8.Which sentence forbids something, rather than saying it is simply not necessary?

    • a) You must not touch the wires.
    • b) You might come early tomorrow.
    • c) You do not have to come early.
    • d) You should come early if you can.

Answer key — Year 9 English — Modals of obligation and probability

  1. 1. a) had to
  2. 2. You must not open that door. → Forbids it; You do not have to open that door. → Says it is not necessary; Players must not argue with the umpire. → Forbids it; Players do not have to bring their own bats. → Says it is not necessary
  3. 3. d) She cannot be the new librarian.
  4. 4.
    • do not have to
    • don't have to
    • need not
    • needn't
    • do not need to
    • don't need to
  5. 5. Every rider must wear a helmet. → Says there is no choice; You should get more sleep before the exam. → Gives advice; Visitors have to sign the register at the gate. → Says there is no choice; You ought to apologise to her. → Gives advice; Passengers must show their tickets to the guard. → Says there is no choice; I think you should ask your teacher first. → Gives advice
  6. 6. a) They cannot be inside.
  7. 7. must
  8. 8. a) You must not touch the wires.