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Tag Questions With Modals – Quiz 1
Tag Questions With Modals Quiz 1 (8 MCQs)
This content evaluates the understanding of modal verbs in tag questions, including their use to express doubt and certainty, future intentions or predictions. It tests the ability to form correct tag questions with modals and assesses the appropriate usage of these verbs.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
I will be late again, won't I?
A) Should.
B) Shall.
C) Can.
D) Would.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Tag questions with modals are used to express uncertainty about a statement, and they often include modal verbs such as "can," "should," "would," etc., followed by the auxiliary verb and subject pronoun. In this case, "won't I?" is a tag question that uses "will" (a modal) and its negative form "won't." The correct answer here is
B) Shall
, because "shall" can also be used as a modal to express future intentions or predictions in questions.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Should - Incorrect. "Should" is not typically used as a modal in tag questions for this context.
Option B:
Shall - Correct. "Shall" can be used as a modal to form tag questions, especially when expressing future intentions or predictions.
Option C:
Can - Incorrect. "Can" is not appropriate here as it does not fit the context of being late.
Option D:
Would - Incorrect. While "would" can be used in tag questions, it is less common than "shall" for this type of statement.
2.
Katty may eat meat, ..... ?
A) Mayn't she.
B) Isn't she.
C) Doesn't she.
D) May she not.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Tag questions with modals are used to seek confirmation about a possibility, permission, or necessity. The correct form is "modal + subject + auxiliary verb?" In the given sentence, "Katty may eat meat," we need a tag question that confirms this possibility. Option D) "May she not?" correctly uses the modal "may" and its negative form "not" to seek confirmation.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses "mayn't," which is not standard English.
Option B:
Incorrect as it uses "isn't," which does not match the modal "may."
Option C:
Incorrect as it uses "doesn't," which also does not match the modal "may."
Option D:
Correct as it uses "may she not?" to seek confirmation about a possibility.
3.
Charles mustn't be more that 18 years, ..... ?
A) Must it.
B) Mustn't we.
C) Must he.
D) Shouldn't she.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Charles mustn't be more than 18 years, .....?" is a tag question with the modal verb "must." In English grammar, when forming a tag question after a negative statement using "must," the tag should use "must" as well. Therefore, option C) "Must he" is correct because it maintains consistency in the modal usage.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "Must it" does not match the subject "Charles."
Option B:
Incorrect; "Mustn't we" contradicts the negative statement.
Option C:
Correct; "Must he" maintains the modal consistency.
Option D:
Incorrect; "Shouldn't she" is unrelated to the modal usage here.
4.
I can't work yet, ..... ?
A) Can't I.
B) Am I.
C) Can I.
D) Do I.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Tag questions with modals are used to express doubt, certainty, permission, etc., and typically follow the structure: [main clause] + modal verb + subject + auxiliary verb + subject? In this case, "I can't work yet" is a negative statement. The correct tag question would use 'can' as the modal verb followed by 'I', which matches Option C.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; does not follow the structure of a tag question with modals.
Option B:
Incorrect; does not match the modal used in the main clause.
Option C:
Correct; uses 'can I' as the appropriate tag for the given statement.
Option D:
Incorrect; does not follow the structure of a tag question with modals.
5.
Diana has to sleep early, ..... ?
A) Didn't it.
B) Hasn't she.
C) Didn't she.
D) Doesn't she.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Tag questions with modals are formed by adding a tag that includes the modal verb and an auxiliary (like 'has' or 'do') followed by 'n't'. In this case, "Diana has to sleep early" is a statement. The correct tag question would be "doesn't she?" because it uses the negative form of the auxiliary verb 'does'.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it doesn't follow the structure for forming tag questions with modals.
Option B:
Incorrect as "hasn't she" is not appropriate here because we use 'does' in the tag question when the main verb is a form of 'have'.
Option C:
Correct. "Didn't she" would be used if the statement was about a past event, but since it's about a present obligation, "doesn't she" is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect as explained above; 'has' should not be used in this context.
6.
Your son shouldn't be studying here, ..... ?
A) Should he.
B) Should they.
C) Shouldn't it.
D) Should it.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Tag questions with modals are used to express doubt, possibility, or necessity about a statement. The correct form is "modal + subject + auxiliary verb?" Here, the modal "should" is used in the main clause, and its tag question would follow the same structure: "Should he?"
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses the modal "should" with the subject "he."
Option B:
Incorrect. Uses "they," which doesn't match the singular subject "son." Also, uses "should they" instead of "should he."
Option C:
Incorrect. Uses "it," which is not appropriate for a person.
Option D:
Incorrect. Uses "it," which is not appropriate for a person and doesn't match the modal "should." Also, uses "should it" instead of "should he."
7.
Those toys shouldn't be on the floor, ..... ?
A) Shouldn't it.
B) Shouldn't they.
C) Should it.
D) Should they.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Those toys shouldn't be on the floor, .....?" is a tag question with a modal verb ("shouldn't"). In such cases, the pronoun should agree with the subject of the main clause, which in this case is "those toys" (plural). Therefore, the correct form for the tag question would use "they," making option B) Shouldn't they. the right choice.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses "it" instead of "they."
Option B:
Correct as it uses "they" to agree with "those toys."
Option C:
Incorrect as it omits the modal verb.
Option D:
Incorrect as it uses "they" but in a form that doesn't match the subject.
8.
That bank ought to open earlier, oughtn't to it?
A) Should.
B) Must.
C) Shall.
D) Has to.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Tag questions with modals are used to express a degree of doubt, suggestion, or politeness. In the given sentence "That bank ought to open earlier, oughtn't it?", the modal verb "ought" is used to make a polite suggestion. The tag question "oughtn't it?" reinforces this polite and slightly questioning tone.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Should" can also be used in similar contexts, but "ought" fits better here as it is more formal and suggests a sense of duty or expectation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Must" implies necessity rather than suggestion or politeness.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Shall" is typically used with first person singular and sometimes second person to make predictions or give orders, not for polite suggestions.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Has to" implies obligation rather than a suggestion or polite request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are tag questions with modals?
Tag questions with modals involve adding a question to the end of a statement using modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'may', or 'might' to express possibility, permission, or ability. These questions often seek confirmation or agreement on something that is uncertain.
How do tag questions with modals differ from regular tag questions?
Tag questions with modals are similar to regular tag questions in structure but use modal verbs. They are used when the speaker is not certain about something and wants to check or seek permission, unlike simple yes/no questions which often express certainty.
Can you give an example of a tag question with modals?
Sure! An example would be 'You can go home now, can't you?' This sentence uses the modal verb 'can' to express permission and asks for confirmation about the possibility.
When should I use tag questions with modals?
Tag questions with modals are appropriate when you want to express uncertainty or seek permission, agreement, or confirmation about something that is not certain. They are commonly used in everyday conversations and formal settings alike.
What are the common modal verbs used in tag questions?
Common modal verbs used in tag questions include 'can', 'could', 'may', and 'might'. These verbs help express possibility, permission, or ability, making these tag questions useful for various contexts where such expressions are needed.