Answer Key

Modal verbs (2)

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, use the word(s) given. Do not change the word(s) given.
  1. John can work seven days a week! – - – TO – - – John  [is able to] work seven days a week! 
  2. Did you have a permission to delete the files? – - – WERE – - –  [were you allowed to]delete the files? 
  3. Paul criticized his brother for having taken his bike without asking him first. – - – ASKED – - – ‘If you needed the bike, you  [should have asked] me first,' Paul said to his brother. 
  4. What you did was very stupid – you should be glad you didn't kill yourself! – - – COULD – - – What you did was very stupid – you  [could have killed] yourself! 
  5. “Why didn't he come to work?” – “Well, it's possible he was sick.” – - – MAY – - – “Why didn't he come to work?” – “Well, he  [may have been sick] .” 
  6. According to this sign, it is illegal to park on yellow lines. – - – MUST – - – According to this sign, you  [must not park, mustn't park] on yellow lines. 
  7. Is English compulsory at this school? – - – HAVE – - –  [do you have to] study English at this school? 
  8. The only explanation is that the documents were stolen. – - – MUST – - – The documents [must have been] stolen. 
  9. ‘You may leave your books here during the exam,' she said. – - – ALLOWED – - – She said that I  [was allowed to leave] my books there during the exam. 
  10. I'm sure it did not happen more than twice. – - – HAPPENED – - – It  [can't have happened, cannot have happened, couldn't have happened, could not have happened] more than twice.