Modals and Past Tenses Quiz
Preview:
Which pair of modal verbs is used to make polite requests?
A. Can, will
B. Must, ought to
C. Could, would
D. Shall, should
Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect tense to show an action that occurred before another action in the past?
A. He had been leaving by the time I got there.
B. He leaves by the time I got there.
C. He had left by the time I got there.
D. He was leaving by the time I got there.
Which sentence describes a complete action or event that happened at a stated past time?
A. Shakespeare writes a lot of plays.
B. Shakespeare has written a lot of plays.
C. Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays.
D. Shakespeare was writing a lot of plays.
Which modal verb is more formal when asking for permission?
A. Can
B. May
C. Will
D. Shall
How is ‘might’ used in comparison to ‘may’?
A. To express a higher likelihood
B. To express a lower likelihood
C. To indicate permission
D. To indicate ability
Which of the following sentences uses a modal verb to indicate a strong obligation?
A. You should eat healthy food.
B. You might want to finish your work.
C. You must submit the assignment.
D. You can go to the party.
What is the difference between ‘mustn’t’ and ‘don’t have to’?
A. ‘Mustn’t’ indicates prohibition, while ‘don’t have to’ indicates lack of necessity.
B. ‘Mustn’t’ indicates permission, while ‘don’t have to’ indicates obligation.
C. ‘Mustn’t’ indicates necessity, while ‘don’t have to’ indicates possibility.
D. ‘Mustn’t’ indicates ability, while ‘don’t have to’ indicates probability.
Which modal verb suggests a higher likelihood?
A. Might
B. Could
C. May
D. Would
Which sentence demonstrates two contemporary past actions using the past continuous tense?
A. While I sunbathe, Tim swims.
B. While I was sunbathing, Tim was swimming.
C. While I had been sunbathing, Tim had been swimming.
D. While I sunbathed, Tim swam.
Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect tense?
A. She called an hour ago.
B. He couldn’t find his watch, he had lost it.
C. Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays.
D. She was sad because she fails the test.
Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect continuous tense to describe an action continuing over a period up to a specific time in the past?
A. She had been working as a clerk for 10 years before she retired.
B. She has been working as a clerk for 10 years before she retired.
C. She was working as a clerk for 10 years before she retired.
D. She had worked as a clerk for 10 years before she retired.
Which sentence uses a modal verb to express prohibition?
A. You must study for the exam.
B. You should help your friend.
C. You might go to the store.
D. You mustn’t eat anything before the test.
Which of the following sentences uses ‘ought to’ correctly?
A. Ought I go to the store?
B. She ought to finish her homework.
C. They ought to can come to the party.
D. He oughts to help us.
Which sentence describes a past action that happened at a definite time not mentioned?
A. She had been working as a clerk.
B. She wrote a letter.
C. She has written a letter.
D. She is writing a letter.
Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect continuous tense to indicate an action of certain duration with visible results in the past?
A. They had walked in the rain.
B. They were walking in the rain.
C. They had been walking in the rain.
D. They have been walking in the rain.
Which sentence correctly uses the simple past tense to describe actions happening one after the other?
A. She was writing the letter and putting a stamp on it.
B. She writes the letter, puts a stamp on it, and posts it.
C. She wrote the letter, put a stamp on it, and posted it.
D. She had written the letter, put a stamp on it, and posted it.
Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous tense to describe an action in progress at a specific past time?
A. He played tennis at 4.30 yesterday.
B. He was playing tennis at 4.30 yesterday.
C. He had played tennis at 4.30 yesterday.
D. He plays tennis at 4.30 yesterday.
Which modal verb is used to express a past ability?
A. Can
B. Could
C. May
D. Must
Which modal verb is used for a decision made at the moment?
A. Will
B. Going to
C. Should
D. Must
Which sentence shows an action that was in progress and was interrupted by another past action?
A. While I was getting dressed, the bell rang.
B. While I get dressed, the bell rings.
C. While I had been getting dressed, the bell rang.
D. While I got dressed, the bell rings.