- Keisha asks her coach for permission: "_____ I leave practice early today?"
Answer: may
The blank needs a modal that asks permission, because Keisha wants her coach to allow her to leave early. "May" is the modal that asks for permission, so it fits: "May I leave practice early today?" "Can" asks about ability — whether Keisha is physically able to leave — not whether she is allowed to. "Should" asks for advice about whether leaving is a good idea, which is not what Keisha is requesting. "Could" asks about past ability or a possibility, not permission from her coach right now. Since Keisha is asking her coach to allow her to go, "may" is the one best answer.
- Complete the sentence with the best word: "It _____ rain later, so bring an umbrella."
Answer: might
The sentence tells you rain is possible but not certain — that is why you bring an umbrella just in case. "Might" shows something is possible but not sure, so it fits perfectly. "Must" would mean the rain is certain or required to happen, which is too strong for a maybe. "Can" shows ability, like being able to do something, but rain is not choosing to be able to fall. "Should" gives advice or says what is a good idea, which does not describe whether rain will happen. Only "might" shows the uncertain possibility the sentence needs.
- Complete the sentence so it tells students they are required to do something: "Students _____ walk in the hallway at school."
Answer: must
The sentence needs to show that students are required to walk, with no choice about it. "Must" is the word that shows a strong requirement or obligation, so it fits perfectly. "Should" only gives advice or a suggestion — it says walking is a good idea, not that it is required, so it is too weak here. "Might" shows that something is only possible, as if students may or may not walk, which does not match a firm requirement. "Could" shows past ability or a polite possibility, like being able to do something, not being required to do it. Because only "must" expresses that this is something students have to do, it is the best answer.
- Complete to show a polite request: "_____ you help me carry these books?"
Answer: Could
Could you help me is a common, polite way to ask someone for help. Must you help me sounds like a demand rather than a polite request. Might you help me sounds unsure and is not a natural polite request. Should you help me sounds like a suggestion about duty, not a polite way to ask for help.
- Which word best completes the sentence to show that the plan is only possible, not decided yet? "We _____ go to the park after lunch."
Answer: might
"Might" shows something is possible but has not been decided, which matches a plan that could still change. "Must" is wrong because it makes the trip sound required, as if the family has no choice about going. "Should" is wrong because it gives advice that going is a good idea, which sounds more decided than a maybe. "Can" is wrong because it shows ability or permission—that going is allowed or possible to do—not that the plan is still uncertain. Only "might" tells the reader the plan is not yet settled.
- Complete the sentence: I _____ go to Keisha's party if I am invited.
Answer: will
Because the if-clause uses the present tense am invited, describing a real possible event, the correct helping verb is will. Choice B, would, is used with a past-tense if-clause for something less likely, like if I were invited. Choice C, can, describes ability rather than a future result. Choice D, must, describes an obligation, not a likely outcome.
- Complete the sentence to show a rule that everyone has to follow: "Students _____ walk in the hallway."
Answer: must
The sentence describes a rule that everyone has to follow, so "must" fits best because it shows something is required with no choice about it. "Should" only gives advice about a good idea, so it is weaker than a strict rule. "Might" tells that something is only possible, not something people are required to do. "Could" shows that walking is one option that is allowed, not that it is required. Only "must" turns the sentence into a rule everyone has to obey.
- Sofia raises her hand and asks her teacher for permission to leave her seat: "_____ I get a drink of water?"
Answer: may
Sofia is asking her teacher for permission to do something. The word that asks for permission is "may," so "May I get a drink of water?" is the best choice. "Can" asks about being able to do something, like "Can you swim?" — Sofia already knows she is able to get water, so "can" is not asking for permission. "Must" means something is required, like "You must wash your hands," which does not fit a question where she is asking, not being told. "Might" shows that something is only a possibility, like "It might rain," so it does not make sense when she is asking her teacher to let her do something. Because Sofia is asking to be allowed to leave her seat, "may" is the modal that fits.
- Complete the sentence to show a possibility that is uncertain, not a certainty: "It _____ rain after school, so bring an umbrella."
Answer: might
Might shows that rain is possible but not certain, which fits a sentence about being ready just in case. Must and will both express near certainty that rain is coming, and should suggests an expectation or obligation, so none of them show the same uncertain possibility that might does.
- Complete the sentence to show what the speaker would do if a condition is met: "I _____ go to the park if my homework is done."
Answer: would
Would is correct because it shows what the speaker will do only if the condition, finishing homework, is met. Must suggests a strong requirement, not a hypothetical result. May suggests permission, which does not match showing a hypothetical outcome. Can suggests ability, which does not capture the if-then relationship in the sentence.
- Keisha asks politely for help: "_____ you carry this box, please?"
Answer: Could
This question tests CCSS.L.4.1.c: using modal auxiliaries (can, may, must, should, could, would, might) to convey various conditions. Students must understand what meaning each modal expresses. Modal auxiliaries are helping verbs that show different conditions: CAN shows ability (I can swim = I'm able to), MAY shows permission (May I go? = asking politely), MUST shows requirement (You must stop = have to), SHOULD shows advice (You should try = good idea), COULD shows past ability or polite possibility (I could run fast = was able to), WOULD shows conditional or polite request (I would go if invited = hypothetical), and MIGHT shows possibility (It might rain = maybe). The modal you choose changes the meaning - CAN is ability while MAY is permission, MUST is required while SHOULD is recommended. In this sentence, the context is Keisha asking politely for help carrying a box; the meaning that needs to be conveyed is polite possibility or request, and the formality level is polite with 'please.' Choice A is correct because COULD conveys polite possibility for requests, which matches the context. In this situation, the speaker needs to ask for help politely. Choice D represents confusing ability with polite request, which occurs when students use CAN for polite situations; using CAN would show ability in a casual way, which doesn't fit the polite formality level. To help students: Create anchor chart showing modal meanings - CAN (ability, can do), MAY (permission, asking politely), MUST (requirement, have to), SHOULD (advice, good idea), COULD (past ability, was able to), WOULD (hypothetical/polite), MIGHT (maybe, possibility). Teach key distinctions: CAN shows 'I'm able to' while MAY shows 'asking permission,' MUST means 'required' while SHOULD means 'recommended,' CAN is casual while MAY is more polite for requests. Practice identifying context clues: rules need MUST, advice needs SHOULD, abilities use CAN, polite questions use MAY or COULD. Watch for: using CAN when MAY is more appropriate for polite permission (especially with teachers/adults), confusing MUST (strong requirement) with SHOULD (advice), forgetting COULD for past ability, not recognizing that modal choice changes sentence meaning. Have students explain what each modal means in context to check understanding.
- Complete to show necessity for safety: "You _____ wear a helmet when skateboarding."
Answer: must
The sentence is about a safety rule, so it needs a word that shows strong necessity — something you are required to do. "Must" is the best fit because it tells you the action is not a choice; wearing a helmet is required to stay safe. "Should" only gives advice, like a good idea you could skip, so it makes the safety rule sound like a suggestion instead of a requirement. "Might" shows possibility, meaning wearing a helmet only maybe happens, which is too weak for a rule you have to follow. "Could" shows a choice or an ability, so it makes it sound optional rather than necessary. Because a safety rule must be followed, "must" is the only word that shows real necessity here.
- Complete to show a rule: "Students _____ walk in the hallway."
Answer: must
This question tests CCSS.L.4.1.c: using modal auxiliaries (can, may, must, should, could, would, might) to convey various conditions. Students must understand what meaning each modal expresses. Modal auxiliaries are helping verbs that show different conditions: CAN shows ability (I can swim = I'm able to), MAY shows permission (May I go? = asking politely), MUST shows requirement (You must stop = have to), SHOULD shows advice (You should try = good idea), COULD shows past ability or polite possibility (I could run fast = was able to), WOULD shows conditional or polite request (I would go if invited = hypothetical), and MIGHT shows possibility (It might rain = maybe). The modal you choose changes the meaning - CAN is ability while MAY is permission, MUST is required while SHOULD is recommended. In this sentence, the context is stating a school rule about walking in the hallway, so the meaning that needs to be conveyed is necessity or requirement, which tells us which modal auxiliary is appropriate; the strength of obligation here is strong for a rule. Choice B is correct because MUST conveys strong requirement which matches the context; MUST shows requirement for rules, and in this situation, this is a safety rule that's required. Choice A represents wrong strength for context, which occurs when students use SHOULD for rules that require MUST; using SHOULD would make a requirement sound like just advice, which doesn't fit the rule's intent. To help students: Create anchor chart showing modal meanings - CAN (ability, can do), MAY (permission, asking politely), MUST (requirement, have to), SHOULD (advice, good idea), COULD (past ability, was able to), WOULD (hypothetical/polite), MIGHT (maybe, possibility). Teach key distinctions: CAN shows 'I'm able to' while MAY shows 'asking permission,' MUST means 'required' while SHOULD means 'recommended,' CAN is casual while MAY is more polite for requests. Practice identifying context clues: rules need MUST, advice needs SHOULD, abilities use CAN, polite questions use MAY or COULD. Watch for: using CAN when MAY is more appropriate for polite permission (especially with teachers/adults), confusing MUST (strong requirement) with SHOULD (advice), forgetting COULD for past ability, not recognizing that modal choice changes sentence meaning. Have students explain what each modal means in context to check understanding.
- Maya asks her principal formally: "_____ I leave early for an appointment?"
Answer: may
The word "may" is the correct, polite way to ask a person like a principal for permission to do something. "Will" asks about the future or makes a plan, so it does not politely ask for permission. "Must" means something is required or a strong rule, so it would sound like Maya is ordering herself to leave, not asking. "Might" tells about a possibility, like something that could happen, so it does not ask for permission either. Only "may" fits when you want to ask someone politely if you are allowed to do something.
- Complete to show a polite request: "_____ you help me carry these books?"
Answer: could
Could is the word English speakers conventionally use to phrase a request politely, since it asks about possibility rather than demanding help directly. Must expresses a strong obligation, which sounds like a command rather than a polite request. Might expresses uncertainty about a possibility and is not the conventional way to phrase a request. Can asks about ability rather than making a polite request, so it does not fit this particular sentence pattern as well as could.
- Complete to show a conditional idea: "I _____ join the team if I had time."
Answer: would
This question tests CCSS.L.4.1.c: using modal auxiliaries (can, may, must, should, could, would, might) to convey various conditions. Students must understand what meaning each modal expresses. Modal auxiliaries are helping verbs that show different conditions: CAN shows ability (I can swim = I'm able to), MAY shows permission (May I go? = asking politely), MUST shows requirement (You must stop = have to), SHOULD shows advice (You should try = good idea), COULD shows past ability or polite possibility (I could run fast = was able to), WOULD shows conditional or polite request (I would go if invited = hypothetical), and MIGHT shows possibility (It might rain = maybe). The modal you choose changes the meaning - CAN is ability while MAY is permission, MUST is required while SHOULD is recommended. In this sentence, the context is expressing a conditional or hypothetical situation about joining a team. The meaning that needs to be conveyed is conditional, which tells us which modal auxiliary is appropriate. The 'if I had time' clause creates a hypothetical condition that isn't currently true. Choice A is correct because WOULD conveys conditional or hypothetical situations which matches the context. WOULD is used with 'if' clauses to show what someone would do in a different situation - it expresses hypothetical actions. In this situation, joining the team depends on a condition (having time) that isn't currently met, making WOULD the appropriate modal for this conditional statement. Choice B represents using present ability for hypothetical situations, which occurs when students use CAN instead of recognizing the conditional nature. Using CAN would show current ability, which doesn't fit the hypothetical 'if' condition that makes this about an imaginary situation rather than present reality. To help students: Create anchor chart showing modal meanings - CAN (ability, can do), MAY (permission, asking politely), MUST (requirement, have to), SHOULD (advice, good idea), COULD (past ability, was able to), WOULD (hypothetical/polite), MIGHT (maybe, possibility). Teach key distinctions: CAN shows 'I'm able to' while MAY shows 'asking permission,' MUST means 'required' while SHOULD means 'recommended,' CAN is casual while MAY is more polite for requests. Practice identifying context clues: rules need MUST, advice needs SHOULD, abilities use CAN, polite questions use MAY or COULD. Watch for: using CAN when MAY is more appropriate for polite permission (especially with teachers/adults), confusing MUST (strong requirement) with SHOULD (advice), forgetting COULD for past ability, not recognizing that modal choice changes sentence meaning.
- Last year, Chen was too short, so she _____ not reach the top shelf in the kitchen.
Answer: could
Could describes past ability, and the added detail that Chen was too short shows this sentence is about what she was unable to do, so could not is correct. Can is present tense and does not match the past-tense context of last year. Must not and may not describe rules or possibility, not physical ability, so they do not fit this context.
- Choose the best word to complete this sentence: "Jamal _____ ride his bike without training wheels because he learned last summer."
Answer: can
The sentence tells us Jamal learned to ride last summer, so it describes something he is now able to do. "Can" shows ability — it means he is able to ride without training wheels. "Might" shows possibility, like something that may or may not happen, but the sentence is about a skill he truly has, not a maybe. "Would" shows a hypothetical or a polite request, such as an action that depends on a condition, but nothing in the sentence sets up an "if." "Should" gives advice or says something is a good idea, yet the sentence isn't recommending anything — it's stating what Jamal is able to do. Because the clue "he learned last summer" points to a real ability, "can" is the only word that fits.
- Complete the sentence so it gives friendly advice: "You _____ bring a jacket; it feels cold."
Answer: should
The sentence is telling someone a good idea, not a strict rule. "Should" is the modal that gives friendly advice — it suggests something helpful without forcing it, which fits perfectly with "it feels cold."
"Must" is too strong. It turns the advice into a firm requirement, like a rule you have to follow, and that is more than the speaker means here.
"Would" is used for imagined or polite situations, such as "I would bring a jacket if I were you." On its own before "bring," it does not give direct advice.
"Might" only shows possibility, meaning maybe it will happen. It tells what could happen, not what someone ought to do, so it does not give advice.
When you want to gently recommend something, "should" is the best choice.
- Choose the word that best completes this sentence: "It _____ rain after school today, but I'm not sure."
Answer: might
The clue is "but I'm not sure" — the sentence talks about something that may or may not happen. "Might" is the best fit because it shows possibility, or that rain is a maybe. "Must" means something is required or certain to happen, so it doesn't match a sentence that says you're not sure. "Can" shows ability, like being able to do something, which doesn't fit talking about the weather. "Should" gives advice or says something is a good idea, but rain isn't advice — it's just a possibility. Because the sentence is uncertain, only "might" makes sense.
