Modals are those auxiliary (helping) verbs which, together with the main verbs which follow them, express the ‘mode’ or manner of the actions indicated by the verbs. They express modes such as ability, possibility, probability, permission, obligation, etc.
This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. Students can also read NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English to get good marks in CBSE Board Exams.
Modals Exercises for Class 11 CBSE With Answers
The following are modal auxiliaries:
shall, should,’will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, used to, need, dare.
♦ Usage:
1. A modal does not change according to the number or person of the subject, e.g.
He can learn. They can learn. I can learn. We can learn. You can learn.
2. A modal is always used with a verb in its basic form. The modal takes the tense, the main verb remains in its dictionary form, e.g.
I can swim.
I could swim.
I may swim. I might swim.
3. Modals can be used alone in response to a question, e.g. Can you swim? I can.
Will you swim? I will.
Will you come? I may. I will.
4. Modals, when joined with ‘not’ to form a negative, can be contracted, e.g.
I cannot swim. I can’t swim.
I will not swim. I won’t swim, etc.
♦ Uses of Modals:
1. Asking for and giving permission
May: May is used for asking permission in a formal manner.
May I come in?
Yes, you may.
May I use this space?
Can: Can is used for asking permission in an informal way.
Can I go home early today?
Can I borrow your book?
Can I buy ice cream from the vendor?
Could: Could expresses polite request.
Could I travel with you?
Could you lend me your magazine?
2. Possibility: ability
can and could, may and might
Can is used to express ability or possibility.
He can perform complicated Yogic aasanas.
Could is the past equivalent of ‘can’ and expresses an ability in the past. It also expresses a weak possibility.
He could do these exercises ten years ago.
He could come to the party this evening.
Could is also used to make polite suggestions.
We could go on a picnic next Sunday.
May and Might also express possibility.
The Principal may be in a meeting.
Might suggests a weaker possibility.
He might be taking a round of the school.
3. Compulsion, Obligation, Necessity
‘Must’, ‘should’, ‘ought to’ express compulsion, obligation and necessity.
You must control your weight.
You should exercise regularly.
You ought to see a doctor for obesity.
4. Promise, Determination, Threat
Will and Shall suggest promise or give assurance.
Will is used with T and ‘we’.
Shall is used with ‘you’ and third person. In modem times, however, ‘will’ is used with all subjects. We will attend your wedding.
You shall have a comfortable journey.
5. Wish
‘May’ is used to express a wish.
May you live for a hundred years.
May all joys be showered on you.
6. Request
Can, could, will, would.
‘Could’ and ‘would’ are more formal and polite in expressing a request than ‘can’ and ‘will’.
Would you like to wait here?
Could you take our class tomorrow?
7. Need, used to, dare
You need to be more tidy.
Used to expresses a past action now discontinued.
I used to swim every morning when I was young.
Dare is used to show not to be afraid to do something. It is mostly used in negative sentences and in questions.
Dare you challenge the boss?
No, I dare not.
I. Complete the following conversation using suitable modals.
Dr. Grewal: I hate to say this, Mr Rai, but you are in terrible shape.
Mr. Rai: I know, what …………………………. I do?
Dr. Grewal: Well since you are so overweight you …………………………. go on a diet.
Mr. Rai: You are right. I …………………………. not eat so much fried stuff.
Dr. Grewal: That’s right, and you …………………………. also start exercising.
Mr. Rai: …………………………. I start with walking for an hour every day?
Dr. Grewal: Yes, but what is most important is that you …………………………. quit smoking immediately.
Answer:
Dr. Grewal: I hate to say this, Mr Rai, but you are in terrible shape.
Mr. Rai: I know, what should I do?
Dr. Grewal: Well since you are so overweight you must go on a diet.
Mr. Rai: You are right. I should not eat so much fried stuff.
Dr. Grewal: That’s right, and you should also start exercising.
Mr. Rai: Could I start with walking for an hour every day?
Dr. Grewal: Yes, but what is most important is that you must quit smoking immediately.
II. Complete the following paragraph with suitable modals.
There are dark clouds in the sky. It (a) …………… rain today. But clouds are no guarantee for rain. There (b) ……………. be clouds but there (c) …………….. not be rain. However, there (d) ……………… be no rain without clouds.
Answer:
(a) may
(b) can
(c) may/might
(d) can
III. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from brackets.
(a) You ………………. not worry anymore. (need/dare)
(b) He ……………… take up the responsibility, (shall/ought to)
(c) That ……………….. be a doctor, (would/must)
(d) You ………………. pay all your taxes, (must/might)
(e) He …………. plays football when he was young, (will/used to)
(f) If I were rich I …………….. buy a car. (would, shall)
(g) You ……………….. not say anything against him. (need/dare)
(h) He ……………….. not talk to you. (dare/used)
(i) We ……………….. drive carefully, (would/must)
(j) You are quite well. You ………………… not go to the doctor. (need/would)
Answer:
(a) need
(b) ought to
(c) would
(d) must
(e) used to
(f) would
(g) dare
(h) dare
(i) must
(j) need
IV. Complete the following paragraph using suitable modals.
You (a) ……………….. see a large number of migratory birds flying to India to escape the extreme cold conditions of many parts of the world. And as the weather hots up a little, these birds (b) ……………….. no doubt fly back to the destination they came from. These birds usually leave the icy climate during the winter lest they (c) ………………. die of cold. The Delhi Zoo is one such place where you (d) ………………… find a large number of migratory birds every year.
Answer:
(a) will/may
(b) will
(c) should
(d) will
V. Complete the following letter using suitable modals.
Dear Sir,
Studies (a) ……………….. be very important but health (b)…………….. never be treated as less important. You (c) ……………… have heard the proverb ‘Health is Wealth’. Moreover, you (d) ……………… have a healthy mind if you have a healthy body. And the mind (e) ……………….. turn unhealthy if the body is not healthy.
I hope you understand fully well how you (f) ……………….. keep your body healthy. It is not through good diet alone. Even the best of diets (g) …………………. not give you good health. A good diet (h) ……………….. be accompanied by good exercise. Exercise (i) ……………… consist of a walk or something of the sort.
Don’t worry, exercise (j) ……………….. not be taken for hours. You (k) ………………. spare a few minutes in the evenings and mornings to undergo the necessary quota of exercise.
Answer:
(a) may
(b) should
(c) must
(d) can
(e) can
(f) can
(g) may
(h) should
(i) should/can
(j) need
(k) can
VI. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the space provided.
“The whole area might be cleaned up
and one way traffic norm shall be enforced.
There can be ‘no-entry’ for rickshaws.”
“Cycle rickshaws need not be allowed
between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Mini buses can
operate from the parking lot. There may be
strict rules. Public transport might not be
allowed on this road. The side walls could be
expanded by 4 to 5 metres,” said the
local M.P., Mr Kapil Sibbal.
Answer:
VII. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after in the space provided. Underline the word that forms your answer.
Answer:
VIII. Fill in the blanks using suitable modals.
If we sit in an incorrect posture, we …………………………. strain our backs. As far as possible, this …………………………. be avoided. If the posture becomes a part of the habit, a low back pain invariably develops. It …………………………. be cured if we become conscious of our posture. We …………………………. also take time out to perform a few exercises. If the exercises are done regularly, the backache …………………………. certainly be cured. It …………………………. also improve blood circulation within the spine.
Answer:
If we sit in an incorrect posture, we will strain our backs. As far as possible, this should be avoided. If the posture becomes a part of the habit, a low back pain invariably develops. It can be cured if we become conscious of our posture. We should also take time out to perform a few exercises. If the exercises are done regularly, the backache will certainly be cured. It will also improve blood circulation within the spine.
IX. Complete the following dialogue using suitable models.
Father: (a) …………………. you go to the post office just now and send these letters by registered post?
Son: There (b) ……………. be rush at this hour.
Moreover, I (c) ……………… not go to office on foot.
Father: But why (d) ………………. you go on foot? What happened to your scooter?
Answer:
(a) Can
(b) will
(c) can
(d) should