I. Complete the sentences by choosing the right answer !
1. Gloria has won every game she’s played today. She (must have practiced, might
have practiced, can’t have practiced) a lot
2. I don’t have anything to wear today. I (must have done, should have done, can’t
have done) the laundry.
3. Jack lost his wallet on the way to work. He (should have lost, must have lost,
can’t have lost) it on the bus
4. I didn’t do very well on the test. I (should have spent, can’t have spent, must
have spent) more time studying.
5. The thief (must have had, should have had, can’t have had) the key. The door was
locked and nothing was broken
6. Police think the suspect of the murder case (might have left, must have left, can’t
have left) the country using a fake passport.
7. I thought I saw Kirana this morning – but it (might have been, couldn’t have
been, must have been) her. She is still in Canada this week
8. You did very well on the exam. You (might have, must have, should have) studied
a lot.
9. I (might have, couldn’t have, should have) bought more milk. I am almost out.
10. Jenny was helping her mom at home, so you (couldn’t have, might have, should
have) seen at the park
11. I (must have, should have, can’t have) forgotten to lock the door when I left. It’s
still open.
12. Alexa (might have, must have, should have) eaten lunch already. I’m not sure, so
let’s ask her.
13. Josephine (couldn’t have, must have, should have) known it was my birthday. I
didn’t tell anyone at the office
14. Jerry bought a very expensive car yesterday. He (might have, must have, should
have) won a lottery.
15. I haven’t seen Reiko working at the café in ages. He (must have, should have,
might have) changed jobs
16. A: Was the client we met last week American?
B: I’m not sure. He (might have, should have, must have) been Canadian
17. Greta is never usually late for school. She (must have, should have, can’t have)
overslept.
18. The parcel hasn’t arrived yet. It (must have, might have, can’t have) got delivered
to the wrong address.
19. They lived on Dover Street, but they ( might have , should have, can’t have)
moved since then.
20. It (might have, can’t have, should have) taken you six months to read that book.
It’s only 60 pages!
II. Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets with the correct past modal verb
form
Rosie’s mug is missing at the office. Roman and Amelia are investigating its
disappearance.
Amelia: Rosie thinks she 1. _______________ (leave) it in the staff kitchen but
she 2. _______________ (bring) it to work today at all.
Roman: Someone 3. ______________ (use) it by mistake.
What does it look like?
Amelia: It is a lovely deep red with cool white snowflakes
on it. Whoever took it 4. _______________ (notice) them. It is a
very recognisable and desirable mug.
Roman: Well Phillipe says it 5. _______________ (be) him
who took it, as he hasn’t had a hot drink today.
Amelia: Rosie says she took it out of the cupboard and
then her phone rang, so she went to her desk. It 6. _______________ (take)
then.
Roman: I don’t think we should waste time with this.
III. Complete the news story using must/might/can’t + have + past participle. Use the
verbs in the box.
be (x3) buy enter
It must be one of the strangest crimes of the century. At some point between
Thursday night and Friday morning two farm horses in north Florida were
painted bright pink. Police are still trying to work out what happened. The
suspects 1.……………… the farm on foot as no one heard any noise. Farmer Jay
Hughes thinks the act 2……………… committed by an angry ex-employee. Others
believe that it 3……………… carried out by kids, playing a joke. ‘At the moment we
can’t be sure of anything,’ said Sheriff Lucy Wyndham, ‘except that it 4,………………
an accident. We’re talking to local shops where the suspects 5.……………… the
paint.’ The mystery continues.
IV. Rewrite the sentences using the modal verbs in brackets.
1 It’s possible that someone stole Lauren’s headphones.
……Someone might have stolen Lauren’s headphones. …… (might)
2 It’s impossible that William has broken his leg again.
…………………………………… (can’t)
3 Maybe someone took photos of the attacker.
…………………………………… (could)
4 I’m sure that the investigation took a long time.
…………………………………… (must)
5 Perhaps someone gave the police new evidence.
…………………………………… (may)
6 It’s not possible that the burglars got in through that tiny window.
…………………………………… (can’t)
V. Read each situation. Then write a deduction using must have, might have or can’t
have and the prompts in brackets. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Note: Some might be written in passive !
1. The students looked confused.
…………………………………………………. (they / not understand / the instructions)
2. Jonathan passed all of his exams with flying colours.
……………………………………………….. (he / study / hard)
3. Margareth was very tired morning.
…………………………………. (she / get home / late / last night)
4. This is an extensive project and they only started work on it this week.
……………………………. (they / finish / the project /yet)
5. Charles is late for his appointment. It is very much unlike him to be late.
………………………………………. (His train / delay)
6. We are sure he forgot about your birthday. Or else, why didn’t he call?
…………………………………… (He/ forget / about your birthday)
7. Lena is saving money for her trip.
………………………………… (she/ buy anything / in that luxurious shop)
8. All the instructors looked satisfied and smiled at Danny.
…………………………………….. (He / pass / his driving test)
9. Joshetta is the most polite girl I’ve talked to
………………………………… (she / be / rude / to you )
10. I think I saw a light on in the kitchen when I arrived at Robby’s house.
………………………………………… (he / cook / when I reached his house)
