Too early to know [EGAD]

Too early to know

Quiz

Decide first which one of the three suggestions can complete each sentence. Select it. Then select the kind of modality expressed in each sentence.

1. It's too early to know for sure, but the county _____ for a very serious recession in the next several months.

Expected answer

can be heading
could be heading
must be heading
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

2. Turns out that the new computers _____ be installed until next month. We'll know more later this week about what the new timetable is.

Expected answer

may not
couldn't
must not
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

3. [This medication] does not normally affect the ability to drive and use machines, but _____ cause dizziness in some patients. If you feel dizzy you should not drive or operate machinery. (www.medicines.org.uk)

Expected answer

may
should
must
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

4. The rose bushes in my garden _____ blooming any day now. I look forward to this moment every year.

Expected answer

must be
can be
should be
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

5. I don't understand why they're not here. I suppose they _____ stuck in traffic. It is rush hour after all.

Expected answer

could have got
could get
could have been getting
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

6. ‘They _____ the seriousness of hijacking in Taiwan. It they had known, I don't think they would have done something that would ruin their future.' (news.bbc.co.uk)

Expected answer

may not know
must not have known
must know
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

7. The rooms at that hotel _____ be very nice. If they were, there'd be more people, and the place is always half empty.

Expected answer

can't
mustn't
shouldn't
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

8. I understand your being impatient, but _____ it simply be that he's not at work this week? That would explain why you haven't heard from him.

Expected answer

must
may
might
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Correction Restart

Introduction
Question formation
Constituents
Identifying forms and functions.
Identifying functions.
Identify Forms
Complementation
Interrogative clauses
Interrogative clauses - question tags
Lexical verbs and auxiliary verbs
Passive
Review
Auxiliary verbs
Ellipsis
Phrasal verbs
Identifying future time reference
Identifying modal meanings
Identifying past time reference with modals
Identifying situation types
Negation with modal verbs
Perfect tenses
Present tense
Tense and aspect overview
The function of progressive aspect
Time reference of modal verbs
Using modals
Using necessity modals
Using possibility modals
Using tenses
Will and shall

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Too early to know

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