Interactive worksheet teaching modals of obligation, prohibition, and permission with a classroom illustration.
A colorful educational worksheet titled "Modals of obligation, prohibition & permission" featuring a classroom scene with a teacher and students, and ten sentences with modal verb choices for students to select.
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Step-by-step solution for: Modals of Permission Obligation Prohibition worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Modals of Permission Obligation Prohibition worksheet
Let's solve this exercise on modals of obligation, prohibition, and permission. We need to choose the best modal verb for each sentence based on meaning.
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- Must = strong obligation (required)
- Have to = obligation (often external rules)
- Needn’t = no obligation (not necessary)
- Can = permission or possibility
- Can’t = prohibition or impossibility
- Mustn’t = strict prohibition (not allowed)
---
Now let’s go through each sentence:
---
- "Can't" means it's impossible — but teachers can wear ties if they want.
- "Don't have to" means it's not required — they are free to choose.
✔ Correct: don't have to
> ✔ Teachers don't have to wear ties.
> (It's optional; not mandatory.)
---
- "Needn't" = not necessary → implies they don’t have to study.
- But students must study — it's expected in school.
- So “have to” is correct here.
✔ Correct: have to
> ✔ Students have to study.
> (It’s an obligation.)
---
- Copying is not allowed — it's cheating.
- "Mustn't" = forbidden.
- "Have to" would mean they are required to copy — which is wrong.
✔ Correct: mustn't
> ✔ Students mustn't copy exam answers from others.
> (Prohibited.)
---
- “If they like” suggests choice → permission.
- “Can” = allowed to do something.
- “Must” = required — contradicts “if they like”.
✔ Correct: can
> ✔ Students can take extra classes if they like.
> (Permission given.)
---
- Showing respect is a rule in schools.
- "Must" = required.
- "Needn't" = not necessary → incorrect.
✔ Correct: must
> ✔ Students must show respect to others.
> (Obligation.)
---
- This is about whether it's required.
- "Needn't" = not necessary → possible they don’t have to.
- "Can't" = impossible → too strong; maybe they *can* choose.
- Since it’s likely optional, needn't fits better.
✔ Correct: needn't
> ✔ Students needn't study a second foreign language.
> (Not required, but possible.)
---
- Drinking coffee during class is usually allowed, unless specified otherwise.
- But the sentence says “must” or “mustn’t” — so we need to pick one.
- If it’s prohibited, then “mustn’t”.
- But in most schools, drinking coffee is allowed.
- However, since the option is between “must” (they have to) and “mustn’t” (they aren’t allowed), and there's no indication that it's required, mustn’t would imply it’s forbidden — which may be true in some schools.
But consider: “must” would mean they are required to drink coffee — absurd.
So mustn’t makes sense if drinking coffee is not allowed during class.
✔ Correct: mustn't
> ✔ Teachers mustn't drink coffee during class.
> (Prohibited — e.g., due to distraction or policy.)
---
- No seating chart → students are free to choose seats.
- "Can" = permission to sit anywhere.
- "Needn't" = not necessary — but doesn't fit well with “sit where they like”.
- “Can” expresses permission clearly.
✔ Correct: can
> ✔ There is no seating chart so students can sit where they like.
> (They’re allowed to choose.)
---
- “Don’t have to” = not required → unlikely.
- Teachers must be prepared — it’s part of their job.
- “Must” shows strong obligation.
✔ Correct: must
> ✔ Teachers must come to class prepared.
> (Required.)
---
- Going barefoot is usually not allowed in schools.
- “Can't” = prohibited.
- “Have to” = required to go barefoot — illogical.
✔ Correct: can't
> ✔ Students can't go barefoot in school.
> (Forbidden.)
---
| # | Sentence | Correct Modal |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 1 | Teachers don't have to wear ties. | ✔ don't have to |
| 2 | Students have to study. | ✔ have to |
| 3 | Students mustn't copy exam answers from others. | ✔ mustn't |
| 4 | Students can take extra classes if they like. | ✔ can |
| 5 | Students must show respect to others. | ✔ must |
| 6 | Students needn't study a second foreign language. | ✔ needn't |
| 7 | Teachers mustn't drink coffee during class. | ✔ mustn't |
| 8 | Students can sit where they like. | ✔ can |
| 9 | Teachers must come to class prepared. | ✔ must |
| 10 | Students can't go barefoot in school. | ✔ can't |
---
- Must / have to: obligation
- Mustn't / can't: prohibition
- Can: permission
- Needn't / don't have to: lack of obligation
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation in another language!
---
🔹 Key Concepts:
- Must = strong obligation (required)
- Have to = obligation (often external rules)
- Needn’t = no obligation (not necessary)
- Can = permission or possibility
- Can’t = prohibition or impossibility
- Mustn’t = strict prohibition (not allowed)
---
Now let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. Teachers can't / don't have to wear ties.
- "Can't" means it's impossible — but teachers can wear ties if they want.
- "Don't have to" means it's not required — they are free to choose.
✔ Correct: don't have to
> ✔ Teachers don't have to wear ties.
> (It's optional; not mandatory.)
---
2. Students needn't / have to study.
- "Needn't" = not necessary → implies they don’t have to study.
- But students must study — it's expected in school.
- So “have to” is correct here.
✔ Correct: have to
> ✔ Students have to study.
> (It’s an obligation.)
---
3. Students mustn't / have to copy exam answers from others.
- Copying is not allowed — it's cheating.
- "Mustn't" = forbidden.
- "Have to" would mean they are required to copy — which is wrong.
✔ Correct: mustn't
> ✔ Students mustn't copy exam answers from others.
> (Prohibited.)
---
4. Students can / must take extra classes if they like.
- “If they like” suggests choice → permission.
- “Can” = allowed to do something.
- “Must” = required — contradicts “if they like”.
✔ Correct: can
> ✔ Students can take extra classes if they like.
> (Permission given.)
---
5. Students needn't / must show respect to others.
- Showing respect is a rule in schools.
- "Must" = required.
- "Needn't" = not necessary → incorrect.
✔ Correct: must
> ✔ Students must show respect to others.
> (Obligation.)
---
6. Students can't / needn't study a second foreign language.
- This is about whether it's required.
- "Needn't" = not necessary → possible they don’t have to.
- "Can't" = impossible → too strong; maybe they *can* choose.
- Since it’s likely optional, needn't fits better.
✔ Correct: needn't
> ✔ Students needn't study a second foreign language.
> (Not required, but possible.)
---
7. Teachers must / mustn't drink coffee during class.
- Drinking coffee during class is usually allowed, unless specified otherwise.
- But the sentence says “must” or “mustn’t” — so we need to pick one.
- If it’s prohibited, then “mustn’t”.
- But in most schools, drinking coffee is allowed.
- However, since the option is between “must” (they have to) and “mustn’t” (they aren’t allowed), and there's no indication that it's required, mustn’t would imply it’s forbidden — which may be true in some schools.
But consider: “must” would mean they are required to drink coffee — absurd.
So mustn’t makes sense if drinking coffee is not allowed during class.
✔ Correct: mustn't
> ✔ Teachers mustn't drink coffee during class.
> (Prohibited — e.g., due to distraction or policy.)
---
8. There is no seating chart so students can / needn't sit where they like.
- No seating chart → students are free to choose seats.
- "Can" = permission to sit anywhere.
- "Needn't" = not necessary — but doesn't fit well with “sit where they like”.
- “Can” expresses permission clearly.
✔ Correct: can
> ✔ There is no seating chart so students can sit where they like.
> (They’re allowed to choose.)
---
9. Teachers don't have to / must come to class prepared.
- “Don’t have to” = not required → unlikely.
- Teachers must be prepared — it’s part of their job.
- “Must” shows strong obligation.
✔ Correct: must
> ✔ Teachers must come to class prepared.
> (Required.)
---
10. Students have to / can't go barefoot in school.
- Going barefoot is usually not allowed in schools.
- “Can't” = prohibited.
- “Have to” = required to go barefoot — illogical.
✔ Correct: can't
> ✔ Students can't go barefoot in school.
> (Forbidden.)
---
✔ Final Answers:
| # | Sentence | Correct Modal |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 1 | Teachers don't have to wear ties. | ✔ don't have to |
| 2 | Students have to study. | ✔ have to |
| 3 | Students mustn't copy exam answers from others. | ✔ mustn't |
| 4 | Students can take extra classes if they like. | ✔ can |
| 5 | Students must show respect to others. | ✔ must |
| 6 | Students needn't study a second foreign language. | ✔ needn't |
| 7 | Teachers mustn't drink coffee during class. | ✔ mustn't |
| 8 | Students can sit where they like. | ✔ can |
| 9 | Teachers must come to class prepared. | ✔ must |
| 10 | Students can't go barefoot in school. | ✔ can't |
---
📝 Summary of Modals Used:
- Must / have to: obligation
- Mustn't / can't: prohibition
- Can: permission
- Needn't / don't have to: lack of obligation
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation in another language!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of prohibition worksheet.
