For each sentence choose among can't, might, or must to fill each space.
1. Your mother must be a great cook. You are always so keen to get back home to eat!
2. I don't know why I am so tired these days. I might be working too hard. Or maybe I am not sleeping too well.
3. Do you know where Carl is? He can't be out, his car keys are on the table.
4. You seem to know everything about the theatre. You must go every week.
5. To give the promotion to Ramesh was silly. He can't know much about this company after only a year of working here.
6. Go and look in the kitchen for your gloves. They must be in there.
7. Oh, the phone is ringing. Answer it. It must be Kanchan. She always rings at this time.
8. Dino has been watching TV since early this afternoon. He must be completely tired by now.
9. That couple can't think much of this film. They're leaving already after 20 minutes.
10. That's the new car they have bought this year. They must be very rich!
Answer (2)
In this exercise, you need to choose the correct modal verb to fill in the blanks. Modal verbs like 'can't', 'might', and 'must' are used to express different degrees of certainty, possibility, or necessity.
Your mother must be a great cook. You are always so keen to get back home to eat!
Here, 'must' indicates a strong likelihood or assumption based on the evidence provided.
I don't know why I am so tired these days. I might be working too hard. Or maybe I am not sleeping too well.
'Might' is used to express a possibility without certainty.
Do you know where Carl is? He can't be out, his car keys are on the table.
'Can't' is used here to express a strong improbability or near impossibility.
You seem to know everything about the theatre. You must go every week.
'Must' is used to make a logical deduction based on what is known.
To give the promotion to Ramesh was silly. He can't know much about this company after only a year of working here.
'Can't' indicates strong doubt about Ramesh's knowledge due to the short time he has been at the company.
Go and look in the kitchen for your gloves. They must be in there.
'Must' is used here to show a high likelihood that the gloves are in the kitchen.
Oh, the phone is ringing. Answer it. It must be Kanchan. She always rings at this time.
'Must' indicates a strong assumption based on Kanchan's usual behavior.
Dino has been watching TV since early this afternoon. He must be completely tired by now.
'Must' suggests a logical conclusion about Dino's possible state based on his activities.
That couple can't think much of this film. They're leaving already after 20 minutes.
'Can't' expresses disbelief or doubt regarding the couple's positive opinion of the film.
That's the new car they have bought this year. They are very rich!
In this sentence, 'must', 'might', or 'can't' are not used, hence no modal verb needs to be chosen for it.
In summary, the choice of 'can't', 'might', or 'must' depends on the level of certainty or possibility you want to convey for each statement.
In this exercise, you select 'can't' for strong doubt, 'might' for possibilities, and 'must' for certainty based on evidence in each sentence. The use of these modal verbs conveys varying levels of confidence regarding the statements made. Choosing the correct verb enhances the clarity and meaning of your sentences.
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