Modal Verbs - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS2 · Grammar

Y5.2 Modal Verbs

Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

The Stargazing Trip

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Every pupil in the astronomy club had been looking forward to the stargazing trip for weeks. Mr Ellison warned the class that the forecast was uncertain: the clouds might clear by nightfall, or they could stay thick until morning. 'You must bring a torch and a warm coat,' he reminded everyone, 'because the field will be cold and dark.' Priya asked whether she could bring her little telescope, and Mr Ellison said she may, as long as she carried it carefully. Some pupils worried that the trip would be cancelled, but Mr Ellison explained that rain must fall heavily before that decision was made. By seven o'clock, the sky had turned a deep purple, and everyone agreed that the stars should be visible within the hour. 'You should stay close together,' Mr Ellison said, 'and you must not use torches once we start looking through the telescopes.' As the last clouds drifted away, Jamal whispered that this might be the clearest sky he had ever seen. Nobody wanted to go home when the coach arrived, but Mr Ellison promised that the club would return again in the autumn.

1
A modal verb is used before a main verb to show how possible, certain, necessary or permitted something is. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would. Tick the modal verb in each sentence.
(a)You must wear a helmet on your bike.(1)
  • A) must
  • B) wear
  • C) helmet
(b)She could hear the rain on the roof.(1)
  • A) hear
  • B) could
  • C) roof
(c)They might arrive a little late.(1)
  • A) They
  • B) might
  • C) late
(d)We should tidy the classroom before lunch.(1)
  • A) tidy
  • B) should
  • C) lunch
2
Circle all the modal verbs in the sentence below.

You should ask an adult, but you must not go near the cliff edge alone.
(2)
3
Underline the modal verb in each sentence.
(a)The bus may be late today.(1)
(b)I will help you tomorrow.(1)
4
Circle the modal verb that shows the greatest degree of certainty.

The match ___ be cancelled if the storm continues.
  • could
  • might
  • must
5
Tick the two sentences below that use a modal verb to show strong obligation (something that absolutely has to happen).
  • A) You must wear your seatbelt in the car.
  • B) It might rain later this afternoon.
  • C) You must not run beside the swimming pool.
  • D) She could visit us again next week.
6
Sort the six modal verbs from the box into the correct column of the table below: Strong certainty or obligation, or Weaker possibility.
Word bank: must | will | shall | might | could | may
Strong certainty or obligationWeaker possibility
(6)
7
Complete each sentence with a suitable modal verb from the box to match the meaning shown in brackets.
Word bank: must | might | should | could
(a)It ___ snow later, but the forecast is not certain. (weak possibility)(1)
(b)You ___ hold the ladder steady while I climb up. (a necessary instruction)(1)
(c)We ___ ask the librarian if we are not sure which book to choose. (helpful advice)(1)
(d)She ___ hear the sea if she listens carefully from the clifftop. (ability or possibility)(1)
8
Circle the modal verb in brackets that best matches the meaning given at the end of each sentence.
(a)You (should / must) not touch the display case, as the vase inside is extremely fragile. (a strict, non-negotiable rule)(1)
  • should
  • must
(b)It (will / might) rain this afternoon, although the forecast is not certain. (an uncertain possibility)(1)
  • will
  • might
(c)You (should / must) proofread your work before handing it in. (helpful advice, not a strict rule)(1)
  • should
  • must
9
Look again at the passage 'The Stargazing Trip' above. Find and copy the modal verb that shows each meaning below.
(a)An instruction that pupils absolutely have to follow, about what to bring on the trip.(1)
(b)Something that is only a possibility, not a certainty, about whether the clouds will clear.(1)
10
In the passage, Mr Ellison says, 'You must not use torches once we start looking through the telescopes.' Explain why the writer chooses the modal verb 'must', rather than the weaker modal verb 'should', in this instruction.
(2)
11
Each sentence below contains an error with the modal verb. Find the mistake and rewrite each sentence correctly.
(a)He cans swim across the lake.(1)
(b)She must to tidy her room before dinner.(1)
(c)They could helped us carry the boxes.(1)
(d)We should of asked before borrowing the ladder.(1)
12
The paragraph below contains three modal verb errors. Find the three mistakes and write the paragraph out correctly.

Everyone was worried about the trip. Mr Ellison said the coach must to leave by eight o'clock, and that latecomers might missed it completely. He reminded the class that they should of packed their bags the night before.
(3)
13
Read these two sentences.

A) You should wear a coat today. It is cold outside.
B) You must wear a coat today. It is cold outside.

Explain the difference in meaning between 'should' and 'must' in these two sentences.
(2)
14
Add a suitable modal verb to complete each sentence so that it matches the meaning given in brackets. Do not use the same modal verb twice.
(a)___ finish the race before it gets dark. (this is only a slight possibility)(1)
(b)You ___ finish your homework before you go outside to play. (this is absolutely necessary)(1)
15
Rewrite the sentence below, changing the modal verb so that it changes from giving permission to giving a strong instruction that must be followed.

Pupils may bring a packed lunch on the trip.
(2)
16
Write one sentence of your own for each instruction below. Use a modal verb correctly in each sentence.
(a)Write a sentence using 'must' to give a strict safety rule.(2)
(b)Write a sentence using 'might' or 'could' to describe something that is only possible, not certain.(2)
17
Write a short paragraph (four to five sentences) giving advice to a younger pupil about staying safe on a school trip. Use at least four different modal verbs (for example, must, should, could, might, will, may) to show different levels of obligation and possibility.
(4)
Mark scheme · Y5.2 Modal Verbs

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

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Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17