Modal Verbs of Deduction Quiz

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests some of the material covered on the Modal Verbs of Deduction page in our grammar section.

1. A deduction is a logical conclusion based on facts and

misinformation
prejudice
evidence
a) misinformation b) prejudice c) evidence

2. "Harry must be hungry after not eating all day." Which is the modal verb of deduction?

must
be
eating
a) must b) be c) eating

3. "Harry's just had dinner, so he _______ be hungry." Which best fills the gap?

could
can't
must
a) could b) can't c) must

4. Which is used after deducing that something has a 30% degree of certainty?

might
may
could
a) might b) may c) could

5. Which is used for something you think has a 50% chance of occurring?

may
must
can't
a) may b) must c) can't

6. "Maria didn't call on my birthday. She _______ forgotten." Which is correct?

must
must be
must have
a) must b) must be c) must have

7. "My car's battery must be flat." This sentence is about

the past
the present
the future
a) the past b) the present c) the future

8. Which sentence best expresses certainty that someone has said something untrue?

That can't be true
That mightn't be true
That could be untrue
a) That can't be true b) That mightn't be true c) That could be untrue

9. Which could be the evidence that made someone think "She must be a doctor"?

her excellent health
her white coat
her bad temper
a) her excellent health b) her white coat c) her bad temper

10. Which correctly expresses a deduction made about an athlete's past victory?

He might be cheating
He could have cheated
He can't be cheating
a) He might be cheating b) He could have cheated c) He can't be cheating

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Matt Errey Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.