This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Auxiliary and Modal Verbs – Can, Could”.
1. Which of the following statements is incorrect in case of the auxiliary ‘can’?
a) To express ability
b) To express permission
c) To express capacity
d) To add special emphasis
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Can’ is used to express ability, capacity and for permission. The auxiliary ‘do’ is used to add special emphasis.
2. Fill in the correct helping verb.
I ______________ lift 60kgs effortlessly at the gym.
a) can
b) may
c) could
d) might
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Can’ is used to express ability or capacity. ‘May’ is used to express permission. Could and might are used as past equivalents of can and may respectively.
3. Pick the correct statement.
a) She could to be healthy.
b) I can to make a tasty sandwich.
c) I can take you across the river in my boat.
d) You might enter the room.
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Can’ is used to convey the ability of a person or thing. The correct conjugation is can + main verb.
4. Which of the following is incorrect about ‘could’?
a) Used as a past equivalent of ‘can’
b) Used as less positive version of ‘can’
c) As a polite request
d) Used as an expression of a degree of dissatisfaction
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Might’ is used in cases of expression of a degree of dissatisfaction. ‘Could’ is used as a polite request, as a past equivalent and less positive version of ‘can’.
5. Decide whether the following statement is true or false.
‘Cannot’ denotes the lack of probability, and ‘may not’ expresses impossibility.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The statement is false because the converse of it is the correct usage of the helping verbs. Cannot denotes impossibility. May not is used to express the lack of probability.
6. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of helping verb.
______________ get you something while I’m at the supermarket?
a) Could I
b) May I
c) Can I
d) Might I
View Answer
Explanation: Here, ‘can’ is used in the expression of capacity. The correct form here is ‘can I’ for this interrogative sentence formation.
7. Pick out the correct verb form.
Mr. Kent wondered if his dream ______________ be true.
a) could
b) might
c) can
d) may
View Answer
Explanation: The sentence here describes a possibility. ‘Could’ is used in this case to express the possibility of an occurrence or thought.
8. Choose the correct form of auxiliary.
Gary ______________ hand over the assignment in time and scored a lower grade as a result of that.
a) can
b) might
c) couldn’t
d) may
View Answer
Explanation: In negative statements, either could or was able to is used. In this case, ‘couldn’t’ is used to form the negative sentence.
9. Write the correct form of helping verb in the blank.
You should carry an umbrella with you as it ______________ rain in the evening.
a) may
b) might be
c) can
d) could be
View Answer
Explanation: May is used to express possibility in affirmative sentences. Can is used in interrogative and negative sentences.
10. Fill in the correct verb form.
______________ borrow your book for a couple of days?
a) May I
b) Might I
c) Can I
d) Could I
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Can’ is used to express permission. It is a rather informal way of seeing permission from a person. It is often used in conversation with a friend or close acquaintance.
11. Choose the correct form of the helping verb.
You ______________ have accepted the proposal.
a) might
b) can
c) could
d) may
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Could’ is used with the perfect infinitive. Here, it is used to express disapproval with another person’s actions.
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