Modals of Obligation (Must, Have to, Should) – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You had a terrible cold last week, and now your friend is getting sick. You are sharing your experience and giving them friendly advice. Read the sentences carefully and choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete your health tips.
1 “I had a bad cold last week, so I know how you feel. You ______ get a lot of rest today.”
(A) should to
(B) must to
(C) should
(D) has to
2 “When you have a sore throat like I did, you ______ drink cold water. It makes it worse.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) shouldn’t to
(D) haven’t to
3 “I know you have a lot of work, but you really ______ take a day off and sleep.”
(A) should
(B) have to
(C) must to
(D) are should
4 “Friend: My head hurts so much. ______ take some aspirin?”
(A) Have I to
(B) Should I
(C) Must I to
(D) Do I should
5 “It is raining and windy outside today. You ______ wear a warm jacket if you go out.”
(A) should
(B) should to
(C) have
(D) must to
6 “You ______ go to the hospital because it is just a small cold, but you do need to rest.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) mustn’t
(C) don’t have to
(D) haven’t to
7 “To feel better faster, you ______ hot tea with honey and lemon.”
(A) should drinking
(B) should drink
(C) should to drink
(D) shouldn’t drink
8 “Friend: ______ stay in bed all day?” – “Yes, that is the best thing for your body right now.”
(A) Should I
(B) Have I to
(C) Do I must
(D) Must I to
9 “If you want to protect your family from the virus, you ______ wash your hands often.”
(A) should
(B) has to
(C) should to
(D) have
10 “You ______ eat too much fast food when you are sick. Your body needs vitamins.”
(A) don’t have to
(B) shouldn’t
(C) mustn’t
(D) haven’t to
11 “My mother told me that I ______ eat hot chicken soup when I was sick, and it really helped!”
(A) must to
(B) should
(C) have to
(D) shoulds
12 “Your cough sounds terrible. You ______ go outside in the cold air tonight.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) haven’t to
(D) shouldn’t to
13 “Friend: I feel a little better. ______ I go to the gym today?” – “No, wait until tomorrow.”
(A) Should
(B) Do
(C) Have
(D) Must to
14 “You ______ buy expensive medicine. Oranges and fresh fruit are cheap and very good for you.”
(A) mustn’t
(B) shouldn’t to
(C) don’t have to
(D) haven’t to
15 “If your fever gets higher than 39 degrees, you ______ see a doctor immediately. It could be dangerous.”
(A) should to
(B) have to
(C) having to
(D) are should
16 “I didn’t drink enough water last week, and I felt awful. You ______ plenty of water!”
(A) should to drink
(B) should drink
(C) should drinking
(D) must to drink
17 “You are sneezing a lot! You ______ cover your mouth so you don’t spread the germs.”
(A) should
(B) shoulds
(C) must to
(D) have
18 “Friend: What time ______ take this medicine?” – “The box says every four hours.”
(A) have I to
(B) should I
(C) I should
(D) must I to
19 “You ______ stay up late watching TV. Your brain needs sleep to heal.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) mustn’t
(D) haven’t to
20 “Remember, you ______ listen to your body. If you feel tired, just close your eyes.”
(A) has to
(B) must to
(C) should to
(D) should
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Should” is used to give friendly, helpful advice.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (we never put “to” after “should”). (B) is a Common Mistake (“must to” is always wrong). (D) is a Structural Error (“has” doesn’t match “You”, and “have to” sounds too bossy for friendly advice).
2 Key: (A) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Shouldn’t” gives strong advice against doing something harmful (drinking cold water).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“don’t have to” means you are not forced, but you can if you want. Here, you want to advise them not to do it). (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error.
3 Key: (A) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: It’s a strong recommendation from a friend, not a strict law.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“have to” sounds like an external boss is forcing them, rather than a friend giving advice). (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
4 Key: (B) Should I
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: We use “Should I…?” to ask someone for their advice or opinion.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (questions with “have to” need “Do/Does”). (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
5 Key: (A) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Good, practical advice for the weather.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Structural Error (missing “to”). (D) is a Common Mistake.
6 Key: (C) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Don’t have to” means it is not necessary. A small cold does not require a hospital visit.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“shouldn’t” implies it’s a bad idea, but going to the hospital isn’t “bad”, just unnecessary). (B) is a Common Mistake (“mustn’t” means it is forbidden). (D) is a Structural Error.
7 Key: (B) should drink
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Should” is followed directly by the base verb without “to” or “ing”.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap/Structural Error (gerund is wrong here). (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Meaning Trap (advises against a good remedy).
8 Key: (A) Should I
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The speaker is asking the friend for advice.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Structural Error (never mix “Do” and “must”). (D) is a Common Mistake.
9 Key: (A) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Excellent health advice.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error (“has” doesn’t match “you”). (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error (missing “to”).
10 Key: (B) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Giving advice that an action is a bad idea.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“don’t have to” means you aren’t forced to eat it, but it doesn’t warn you that it’s bad). (C) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” is for strict rules, not friendly dietary advice). (D) is a Structural Error.
11 Key: (B) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Mothers often give health advice using “should”.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Common Mistake. (C) is a Meaning Trap (too forceful for a suggestion about soup). (D) is a Structural Error (modals never take an “s”).
12 Key: (A) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Advising a friend not to do something that will make them sicker.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error.
13 Key: (A) Should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Asking for an opinion on whether going to the gym is a good idea.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error (missing a main verb like “go”). (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Common Mistake.
14 Key: (C) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: It is not necessary to spend a lot of money because cheap fruit works too.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” means it is forbidden to buy medicine, which is silly). (B) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error.
15 Key: (B) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A fever of 39+ degrees changes the situation from “friendly advice” to an “urgent medical necessity” (external obligation).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error.
16 Key: (B) should drink
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Modals take the base verb with no “to”.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Common Mistake. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Common Mistake.
17 Key: (A) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Good social advice for being sick.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error (missing “to”).
18 Key: (B) should I
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Question word (What time) + Modal (should) + Subject (I) + Base verb (take).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Structural Error (statement word order). (D) is a Common Mistake.
19 Key: (A) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Advice against a bad habit.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“don’t have to” implies staying up late is a chore you are excused from). (C) is a Meaning Trap (too strict for a friend’s advice). (D) is a Structural Error.
20 Key: (D) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Final piece of gentle advice.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Common Mistake. (C) is a Structural Error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Should (Advice): – We use Should to say something is a good idea. It is a “soft” obligation. You use it when you care about someone and want to give them helpful advice (like health tips).
- Example: “You should sleep more.” (If you don’t sleep, you won’t go to jail, but you will feel bad).
- Shouldn’t (Negative Advice):
- We use Shouldn’t to say something is a bad idea.
- Example: “You shouldn’t drink cold water.”
- Should I…? (Asking for Advice):
- We use Should I to ask for someone’s opinion or suggestion.
- Example: “Should I go to the doctor?”
- The Grammar Rules:
- Rule 1: NEVER put “to” after “should”. (Say: You should rest. DO NOT say: You should to rest.)
- Rule 2: NEVER add “s”, “ed”, or “ing” to the verb after “should”. It is always the base verb.
- Should vs. Have to / Must:
- Use Should for opinions and good ideas.
- Use Have to / Must for strict rules, laws, or urgent necessities.