Let's solve this worksheet on
Modal Verbs of Obligation and Prohibition. The task is to choose the correct modal verb (e.g., *must*, *have to*, *should*, *don’t have to*, *mustn’t*, etc.) to complete each sentence correctly.
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🔹 Understanding Modal Verbs:
-
Must / Have to: Strong obligation (external or internal).
-
Should: Advice or recommendation.
-
Don’t have to / Needn’t: No obligation (not necessary).
-
Mustn’t: Prohibition (not allowed).
-
Can’t / May not: Often used for prohibition or impossibility.
-
Ought to: Similar to "should" (advice).
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Now, let’s go through each sentence one by one:
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1.
If you want to work in the USA you ______ speak good English.
→ This is a
requirement for working in the USA.
✔ must or
have to
✔️
Answer: must / have to
*(Both are correct, but “must” is more formal and stronger here.)*
2.
You ______ give someone a clock as a present.
→ Giving a clock is considered bad luck in some cultures — it's
not recommended or
prohibited.
✔ mustn’t (prohibition)
✔️
Answer: mustn’t
3.
You are ill. You ______ go to school today.
→ Since you're sick, going to school is
not required.
✔ don’t have to
✔️
Answer: don’t have to
4.
You ______ remember to feed the dog.
→ It’s important, but not strictly mandatory. A
recommendation.
✔ should
✔️
Answer: should
5.
You ______ say anything stupid if you want to keep your job.
→ Saying something stupid could get you fired. So,
you are prohibited from doing it.
✔ mustn’t
✔️
Answer: mustn’t
6.
Tomorrow is Sunday! So I don’t ______ go to school!
→ No obligation on weekends.
✔ have to
✔️
Answer: have to
7.
If you ______ have goals in life.
→ This is advice — it's
recommended to have goals.
✔ should
✔️
Answer: should
8.
If you see Pauline, you ______ be polite to her!
→ A strong suggestion or expectation.
✔ should
✔️
Answer: should
9.
Please, tell her that she ______ get good results at school!
→ Encouragement — it's
recommended, but not forced.
✔ should
✔️
Answer: should
10.
When we were at school we ______ wear a uniform.
→ In many schools, wearing a uniform is
required.
✔ had to (past tense)
✔️
Answer: had to
11.
You ______ tell her that you are sorry.
→ This is
advice or
a recommendation.
✔ should
✔️
Answer: should
12.
I don’t ______ wear glasses, I still can see perfectly well.
→ No need to wear glasses because vision is fine.
✔ have to
✔️
Answer: have to
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
must / have to
2.
mustn’t
3.
don’t have to
4.
should
5.
mustn’t
6.
have to
7.
should
8.
should
9.
should
10.
had to
11.
should
12.
have to
---
📝 Summary:
This exercise tests understanding of
modal verbs expressing:
-
Obligation: must, have to, mustn’t
-
Advice/Recommendation: should
-
Lack of necessity: don’t have to
-
Prohibition: mustn’t
Make sure to consider context:
is it a rule, advice, or requirement?
Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer key! 😊🐝
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of prohibition worksheet.
