Modal verbs and expressions: speculation and deduction

In this exercise, you will practice using modal verbs and expressions to make guesses and logical deductions about past, present, and future events. You will choose between forms like must, might, can't, could have, be bound to, and be likely to based on the context.

1. They trained all year. They _____ the championship.

are bound to win

might win

will possibly win

2. The lights are off and nobody's answering the door. They _____.

are probably out

could go out

must have gone out

3. He’s not answering his phone. He _____.

is probably being in a meeting

might be in a meeting

is bound to be in meeting

4. They aren’t home yet. They _____ a later train.

could have taken

might take

are likely take

5. With such bad weather, the concert _____ on time.

might not start

won't definitely start

is unlikely to start

6. They _____ early. Their car is still outside.

can’t have left

definitely didn’t leave

shouldn’t leave

7. He hasn’t eaten all day. He _____.

is probably starving

might to be starving

must be starving

8. The team is doing well this season. They _____ the final.

are likely to reach

are sure reach

probably will reach

9. She was coughing all night. She _____ a cold.

might catch

could have caught

is bound to catch

10. They promised to be here by eight. They _____ soon.

should arrive

are likely arriving

are supposed arrive

11. We heard a noise from the kitchen. Someone _____ something.

might drop

will probably drop

must have dropped

12. There are no clouds at all. It’s _____ tomorrow.

might sunny

bound to be sunny

sure sunny