Modal verbs in the past

Fill the gap by putting the concept expressed in the first sentence into the past

1. I must check the oil before we leave.
I ___________ check the oil before we left.

2. You mustnt go in that room she told me.
When I was a child, I _____________ go in that room.

3. He should stop drug-dealing before its too late
He _________________ drug-dealing before it was too late.



Transformations

Beginning with or using the words given, rewrite the first sentence so that
it has a similar meaning

4. Its not a good idea to drink coffee just before you go to bed.

You

5. Its essential for all students to register by Tuesday at 11. a.m.

All students

6. It really wasnt necessary for you to put up those shelves, but Im glad you did.

You

7. It would be inadvisable to book the flight until you are sure you can go

Youd.

8. You mustnt pick things up and you shouldnt touch anything he said
(allowed / supposed)

You
didnt need to / neednt have

Correct any mistakes in the sentences

9. Youre early Yes, I didnt need to work late for once

10. The sea was perfectly calm so they neednt have taken any sea-sickness pills, which
was just as well as theyd forgotten to buy any.

11. What a waste of time! I didnt need to study World War II. There wasnt a question
on it in the exam.

12. I neednt have taken Janet to the station. John did.

13. Thanks for the wine but you didnt need to bring it. Weve got plenty.

14. We didnt need to put any petrol in the tank. It was full.


Multiple choice around OBLIGATIONS

15. You are ....... no obligation whatsoever to respond.
a) in b) on c) under d) with

16. There really is no ....... for this kind of over-the-top reaction.
a) obligation b) need c) compulsion d) requirement

17. In future you will do as you are.......
a) said b) obliged c) told d) required

18. We dont want to be seen to be.......
a) compulsory b) optional c) obligatory d) inflexible

19. What is your attitude to the .... of performance-enhancing drugs for athletes?
a) legalising b) legality c) permission d) allowance

20. Im ... to be outside the theatre before seven thirty
a) supposed b) meaning c) having d) permitted








Modal verbs in the past.
Fill the gap by putting the concept expressed in the first sentence into the past

1. I must check the oil before we leave. (personal obligation)
I had to check the oil before we left. (obligation)
I must have checked the oil before we left. (deduction)
I should have checked the oil before we left. (obligation-not done)

2. You mustnt go in that room she told me. (prohibition)
When I was a child, I wasnt allowed to/couldnt go in that room.

3. He should stop drug-dealing before its too late (mild obligation/advice)
He should have stopped drug-dealing before it was too late.
He ought to have stopped drug-dealing before it was too late.

Transformations: Beginning with or using the words given, rewrite
the first sentence so that it has a similar meaning

4. Its not a good idea to drink coffee just before you go to bed.

You oughtnt to/ shouldnt drink coffee just before you go to bed

5. Its essential for all students to register by Tuesday at 11. a.m.

All students should /must have registered by Tuesday at 11 a.m.

6. It really wasnt necessary for you to put up those shelves, but Im glad you did.

You neednt have put up those shelves
(You didnt need to /didnt have to put up AND IT WASNT DONE)

7. It would be inadvisable to book the flight until you are sure you can go

Youd (had) better not book the flight until you are sure
(MAINLY ORAL ENGLISH/ NEVER IN THE PAST OR TO MAKE GENERAL COMMENTS)
I dont think parents should/ ought to give their children sweets

8. You mustnt pick things up and you shouldnt touch anything he said
(allowed / supposed)

You arent allowed to pick things up or supposed to touch anything.
(You arent allowed to pick things up and arent supposed to touch anything)



didnt need to (= didnt have to) wasnt done/neednt have was done
Correct any mistakes in the sentences

9. Youre early Yes, I didnt need to work late for once (didnt have)

10. The sea was perfectly calm so they neednt have taken any sea-sickness pills, which was
just as well as theyd forgotten to buy any. (didnt need to / didnt have to take)

11. What a waste of time! I didnt need to study World War II. There wasnt a question
on it in the exam. (neednt have studied)

12. I neednt have taken Janet to the station. John did.(didnt need to/have to take)

13. Thanks for the wine but you didnt need to bring it. Weve got plenty. (neednt
have brought it)

14. We didnt need to put any petrol in the tank. It was full. (OK)


Multiple choice around OBLIGATIONS

15. You are ....... no obligation whatsoever to respond.
a) in b) on c) under d) with

16. There really is no ....... for this kind of over-the-top reaction.
a) obligation b) need c) compulsion d) requirement

17. In future you will do as you are.......
a) said b) obliged c) told d) required

18. We dont want to be seen to be.......
a) compulsory b) optional c) obligatory d) inflexible

19. What is your attitude to the .... of performance-enhancing drugs for athletes?
a) legalising b) legality c) permission d) allowance

20. Im ... to be outside the theatre before seven thirty
a) supposed b) meaning c) having d) permitted