CBSE Class 10 English Modals MCQs Set 04

Practice MCQs for Class 10 English Modals

Review structured MCQ sets for Class 10 English Modals. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these downloadable questions support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.

Access Modals Questions and Solutions

View or download the dedicated Modals MCQ resource below. Practicing these 50 objective questions regularly builds familiarity with standard exam patterns and helps secure higher marks in final English evaluations.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1: I ________ go to bed now or I won’t be able to get up for work. (obligation)
(a) must
(b) have to
(c) can
(d) may
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) must

Explanation:
1. The obligation comes from the speaker's own judgement.
2. 'Must' is used for obligation felt by the speaker.

Teacher's Note:
1. Must = internal obligation; have to = external obligation (rules, others).
2. The speaker is deciding for himself here.

Question 2: I’m afraid I can’t come to your birthday party. The boss has told me I ________ go away on business. (obligation)
(a) must
(b) have to
(c) can
(d) may
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) have to

Explanation:
1. The obligation comes from someone else (the boss).
2. 'Have to' expresses external obligation.

Teacher's Note:
1. Have to = obligation imposed by others or circumstances.
2. Clue: 'The boss has told me'.

Question 3: You really ________ stop driving so fast or you’ll have an accident. (obligation)
(a) can
(b) will
(c) have to
(d) must
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) must

Explanation:
1. The speaker personally feels it is necessary and strongly urges the listener.
2. 'Must' expresses such strong, speaker-driven obligation.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'You really must...' is a strong personal warning.
2. 'Have to' would suggest a rule from outside.

Question 4: This is going to be an expensive month because I ________ pay the telephone bill. (obligation)
(a) may
(b) can
(c) might
(d) must
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) must

Explanation:
1. Paying the bill is an obligation.
2. Among the options only 'must' expresses obligation.

Teacher's Note:
1. May/can/might express possibility or permission, not obligation.
2. Eliminate options that do not match the stated function.

Question 5: Now, people ________ use computers to view their accounts and pay their bills. (ability)
(a) can
(b) could
(c) may
(d) might
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) can

Explanation:
1. 'Now' points to present ability.
2. 'Can' expresses present ability.

Teacher's Note:
1. Can = present ability; could = past ability.
2. May/might express possibility, not ability.

Question 6: The literature ________ be organised by date, author or argument. (ability)
(a) may
(b) might
(c) will
(d) can
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) can

Explanation:
1. The sentence states what is possible to do with the literature.
2. 'Can' expresses ability or capability.

Teacher's Note:
1. Can + be + V3 shows what is possible to do.
2. May/might would express uncertainty instead.

Question 7: You ________ use mobile phones inside the aircraft. (prohibition)
(a) had to
(b) can
(c) could
(d) mustn't
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) mustn't

Explanation:
1. The sentence states a prohibition.
2. 'Mustn't (must not)' expresses prohibition.

Teacher's Note:
1. Must not = it is not allowed.
2. Do not confuse with 'need not' (not necessary).

Question 8: There is someone at the door. It ________ be the courier. (assumption)
(a) had to
(b) must
(c) ought
(d) shall
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) must

Explanation:
1. The speaker makes a confident assumption.
2. 'Must' expresses a logical assumption or deduction.

Teacher's Note:
1. Must = I am fairly sure.
2. 'Ought' needs 'to' after it.

Question 9: We sent the parcel by express courier. It ________ to have reached Pamela by now. (deduction or conclusion)
(a) may
(b) shall
(c) ought
(d) could
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (c) ought

Explanation:
1. The blank is followed by 'to', so only 'ought' fits grammatically.
2. 'Ought to have reached' expresses an expected conclusion.

Teacher's Note:
1. Ought to can express what we expect to be true.
2. Other modals are never followed by 'to'.

Question 10: When I was in college, I ________ study eight to nine hours in a day. (past habits no longer in use)
(a) used to
(b) could
(c) might
(d) will
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) used to

Explanation:
1. The sentence talks about a past habit that has stopped.
2. 'Used to' expresses this.

Teacher's Note:
1. Used to = past habit, no longer true.
2. Could would show only past ability.

Question 11: You don’t look well. You ________ see a doctor. (advice)
(a) are not
(b) could
(c) need to
(d) should
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) should

Explanation:
1. The speaker is giving advice.
2. 'Should' is the modal of advice.

Teacher's Note:
1. Should = advice.
2. 'Need to' expresses necessity, not advice.

Question 12: ________ lending me your CD player for a couple of days? (request)
(a) Can you
(b) Could you
(c) Would you
(d) Would you mind
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) Would you mind

Explanation:
1. The verb after the blank is in -ing form ('lending').
2. Only 'Would you mind' is followed by an -ing form.

Teacher's Note:
1. Would you mind + -ing is a very polite request.
2. Can/Could/Would you are followed by the base form.

Question 13: Whose bag is this? – I am not sure. It ________ be Ann’s. (possibility)
(a) might
(b) must
(c) should
(d) would
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) might

Explanation:
1. 'I am not sure' shows uncertainty.
2. 'Might' expresses weak possibility.

Teacher's Note:
1. Might = possibility; must = near certainty.
2. The speaker's uncertainty rules out 'must'.

Question 14: She ________ home yesterday because her little son was sick. (necessity)
(a) could have stayed
(b) had to stay
(c) must have stayed
(d) should have stayed
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) had to stay

Explanation:
1. 'Yesterday' refers to the past; past necessity is expressed by 'had to'.
2. Her son's sickness made staying home necessary.

Teacher's Note:
1. Had to = past of must for necessity.
2. 'Must have stayed' is a deduction, not necessity.

Question 15: You _______ leave work at 3:30 today. (permission)
(a) can
(b) could
(c) might
(d) will
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) can

Explanation:
1. The speaker grants permission.
2. 'Can' is used to give permission.

Teacher's Note:
1. Can/may = permission.
2. Could is used to ask for permission politely, not to give it.

Question 16: Though he was ill and weak, he ________ get out of the burning building. (ability)
(a) could
(b) might
(c) should
(d) was able to
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) was able to

Explanation:
1. The sentence describes managing to do something on one particular occasion in the past.
2. 'Was able to' (not 'could') is used for such a specific achievement.

Teacher's Note:
1. Could = general past ability; was able to = succeeded on one occasion.
2. Clue: one specific event (escaping the fire).

Question 17: The windows look clean. You ________ wash them. (absence of necessity)
(a) can't
(b) don't have to
(c) must not
(d) are not to
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) don't have to

Explanation:
1. Washing is unnecessary because the windows are clean.
2. 'Don't have to' expresses absence of necessity.

Teacher's Note:
1. Don't have to = not necessary; must not = not allowed.
2. This difference is often tested.

Question 18: You ________ disturb him during his work. (prohibition)
(a) could not
(b) don't have to
(c) must not
(d) should not
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (c) must not

Explanation:
1. The direction asks for prohibition.
2. 'Must not' is the strongest expression of prohibition.

Teacher's Note:
1. Must not = prohibition; should not = advice.
2. Follow the function given in the bracket.

Question 19: Whose car is this? It ________ be Anton’s. I think I saw him driving a red car like this one. (strong probability)
(a) Might
(b) Could
(c) Must
(d) Would
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (c) Must

Explanation:
1. The speaker has evidence (saw him driving a similar car).
2. 'Must' expresses strong probability.

Teacher's Note:
1. Must = strong probability based on evidence.
2. Might/could are weaker.

Question 20: I don’t believe it. It _______ be true. (impossibility)
(a) can't
(b) mustn't
(c) shouldn't
(d) wouldn't
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) can't

Explanation:
1. The speaker is sure something is impossible.
2. 'Can't' expresses impossibility.

Teacher's Note:
1. Can't = I am sure it is not true.
2. Mustn't means prohibition, not impossibility.

Question 21: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
Prachi ______ work hard since only a week is left for her examination.
(a) can
(b) will be
(c) has to
(d) may
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (c) has to

Explanation:
1. The situation shows necessity: only a week is left.
2. 'Has to' expresses obligation arising from circumstances and agrees with the singular subject 'Prachi'.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Have to/has to' shows necessity caused by outside circumstances.
2. 'Can' shows ability and 'may' shows possibility, not need.

Question 22: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
You ______ practice for longer hours as it will make your voice grow stronger.
(a) should
(b) will
(c) might
(d) need
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) should

Explanation:
1. The sentence gives advice with a reason ('as it will make your voice grow stronger').
2. 'Should' is the modal used for advice.

Teacher's Note:
1. Use 'should' for advice and suggestions.
2. 'Might' shows weak possibility and 'need' would require 'to' here.

Question 23: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
Doctor, I am not feeling well, ______ you please issue me a medical certificate?
(a) shall
(b) could
(c) must
(d) should
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) could

Explanation:
1. This is a polite request to the doctor.
2. 'Could you please...' is the standard polite form of request.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Could' and 'would' are used for polite requests.
2. 'Must' expresses compulsion and is impolite in a request.

Question 24: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
I don't see why you ______ borrow his cycle. You have one of your own.
(a) should
(b) could
(c) may
(d) might
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) should

Explanation:
1. The speaker questions the need or reason for borrowing.
2. 'Should' expresses what is reasonable or necessary: 'I don't see why you should...'

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Why ... should' questions whether something is justified.
2. 'Could/may/might' show ability or possibility, not justification.

Question 25: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
______ the letter arrive in your absence, would you like me to forward it to you?
(a) If
(b) Could
(c) Should
(d) Might
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (c) Should

Explanation:
1. The verb is the base form 'arrive', so the clause is an inverted conditional: 'Should the letter arrive...' = 'If the letter arrives...'.
2. 'If the letter arrive' is ungrammatical because a singular subject needs 'arrives'.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Should + subject + base verb' is a formal way of saying 'if ... happens'.
2. Check the verb form after the blank before choosing 'if'.

Question 26: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
If he came late, he ______ be punished.
(a) will
(b) shall
(c) should
(d) would
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (d) would

Explanation:
1. 'If' + past simple ('came') is the second conditional.
2. The main clause of a second conditional takes 'would' + base verb.

Teacher's Note:
1. First conditional: if + present, will. Second conditional: if + past, would.
2. Match the modal to the tense in the 'if' clause.

Question 27: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
You will ______ work very hard to get the correct tune of this song.
(a) has to
(b) have to
(c) could
(d) must
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) have to

Explanation:
1. After 'will', a base form is needed, so 'have to' is used.
2. 'Must' and 'could' cannot follow another modal, and 'has to' is not a base form.

Teacher's Note:
1. Two modals cannot come together; use 'will have to' for future necessity.
2. 'Have to' changes to 'has to' only in the present with he/she/it.

Question 28: Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
I ______ reach the station on time or else I will miss the train.
(a) must
(b) may
(c) can
(d) will
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) must

Explanation:
1. 'Or else I will miss the train' shows that reaching on time is compulsory.
2. 'Must' expresses strong necessity.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Must' is used for strong necessity or compulsion.
2. 'May' and 'can' show permission, possibility or ability.

Question 29: Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line:
I can run fast when I was young.
Option No.ErrorCorrection
(a)wasis
(b)runran
(c)cancould
(d)whenwhence
(CBSE 2023)
(a) was → is
(b) run → ran
(c) can → could
(d) when → whence
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (c) can → could

Explanation:
1. 'When I was young' refers to the past.
2. Past ability is shown by 'could', so 'can' must change to 'could'.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Can' shows present ability; 'could' shows past ability.
2. Keep the tenses of both clauses consistent.

Question 30: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank marked in bold.
Birds and animals live in the lap of nature and can predict the likely changes accurately. Swallows usually fly high in the sky. But during a storm, they come down and fly close to the ground. If they fly low you (d) ______ be sure of strong winds. Even a toad can be a reliable weatherman. (CBSE Delhi 2019)
(a) would
(b) should
(c) might
(d) could
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) should

Explanation:
1. The sentence gives a sure sign ('If they fly low...'), so 'should be sure' expresses a confident expectation.
2. 'Should' can express what is logically expected; 'might' shows only weak possibility.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Would' needs an unreal condition (If they flew low...), which is not the case here.
2. After a modal (can, could, should, would) always use the base form of the verb.

Question 31: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank marked in bold.
The modern student understands the importance of physical exercise. He spends one to two hours in open air where he takes part in different sports. However, care should (d) ______ not to overstrain the body. (CBSE 2018)
(a) be taken
(b) took
(c) takes
(d) has taken
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) be taken

Explanation:
1. After the modal 'should' we need the base form; here 'be taken' fits 'care should be taken'.
2. Modal + base verb; for a passive meaning use modal + be + past participle.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Took', 'takes' and 'has taken' cannot follow a modal.
2. Choose the modal by meaning: ability (can), advice/duty (should), polite request (could), possibility (may).

Question 32: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank marked in bold.
The tiny sand fly causes the deadly Kala Azar, a parasitic disease. This disease affects hundreds every year and can also (c) ______ death. It is now to be made part of school textbooks in Bihar to create awareness about the fly. The Bihar Government has decided to introduce a new chapter on it from next year. (CBSE AI 2012)
(a) will cause
(b) cause
(c) has caused
(d) to cause
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) cause

Explanation:
1. After the modal 'can' the base form is needed: 'can cause death'.
2. Modal + base form of the verb.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Can to cause' and 'can will cause' are never correct.
2. After a modal (can, could, should, would) always use the base form of the verb.

Question 33: Complete the dialogue by choosing the correct option for the blank marked in bold.
Tourist : I would like to know about the tours your company offers.
Travel agent : Sir, could you tell me which (a) ______?
Tourist : Bangalore and Mysore.
Travel agent : Please go through this brochure and see what you like.
Tourist : Thank you. (He goes through the brochure). What would be the cost of the trip?
Travel agent : Rupees eight thousand, sir.
Tourist : Does it include the travel expenses also?
Travel agent : Yes, sir. It includes all expenses. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) places you are liking to visit
(b) places you would like to visit
(c) places you are to visit
(d) places you are visiting
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) places you would like to visit

Explanation:
1. A polite enquiry about preference uses 'would like': 'which places you would like to visit'.
2. 'Would like' is the polite form of 'want'.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Are liking' is wrong because 'like' is a stative verb and is not used in the continuous.
2. Choose the modal by meaning: ability (can), advice/duty (should), polite request (could), possibility (may).

Question 34: Complete the dialogue by choosing the correct option for the blank marked in bold.
Ram : (a) ______ me your English Reader?
Sita : I am sorry. I have yet to complete my English homework.
Ram : Okay. I shall ask Ankit. (CBSE AI 2014)
(a) May you lend
(b) Could you lend
(c) Can you borrow
(d) Are you lending
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (b) Could you lend

Explanation:
1. A polite request to someone else uses 'Could you lend'.
2. 'Could you...?' makes a polite request; 'May I...?' asks permission for oneself.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Borrow' means take from someone; Ram wants Sita to 'lend'.
2. After a modal (can, could, should, would) always use the base form of the verb.

Question 35: Complete the dialogue by choosing the correct option for the blank marked in bold.
Ram : Could you lend me your English Reader?
Sita : I am sorry. I have yet to complete my English homework.
Ram : Okay. I (c) ______ Ankit. (CBSE AI 2014)
(a) shall ask
(b) would asked
(c) have been asked
(d) had asked
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (a) shall ask

Explanation:
1. Ram announces a future decision: 'I shall ask Ankit'.
2. 'Shall' with 'I' expresses a future intention.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'Would asked' is wrong; a modal is always followed by the base form.
2. Choose the modal by meaning: ability (can), advice/duty (should), polite request (could), possibility (may).

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 10 English Modals

Download Multiple Choice Questions: Modals (Class 10 English)

Review structured objective questions for Class 10 English Modals. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these MCQ sets support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.

Concept Clarification for Modals

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FAQs

Where can I access latest CBSE Class 10 English Modals MCQs Set 04?

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Are Assertion-Reasoning and Case-Study MCQs included in the English Class 10 material?

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