Modals of Obligation (Must, Have to, Should) – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You and your friend are planning a trip abroad and checking your travel documents at the airport. Read the conversations carefully and choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence.
1 “We are flying to London next week. We ______ show our passports at the airport.”
(A) have to
(B) should
(C) must to
(D) has to
2 “My passport is expired. I ______ get a new one before we can travel.”
(A) am have to
(B) should
(C) have to
(D) must to
3 “Friend: ______ apply for a travel visa to visit France?”
(A) Must we to
(B) Have we to
(C) Are we should
(D) Do we have to
4 “Good news! Our country is on the visa-free list. We ______ get a visa.”
(A) mustn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) haven’t to
(D) shouldn’t
5 “The airline rules are very strict. Your suitcase ______ weigh more than 20 kilograms.”
(A) mustn’t
(B) doesn’t have to
(C) shouldn’t
(D) haven’t to
6 “We have electronic boarding passes on our phones, so we ______ print them on paper.”
(A) mustn’t
(B) shouldn’t to
(C) don’t have to
(D) aren’t have to
7 “It is always a good idea to be safe in a foreign country. You ______ keep a copy of your passport in your bag.”
(A) must to
(B) have to
(C) should
(D) should to
8 “The customs officer is calling us. We ______ go to his desk right now.”
(A) has to
(B) have to
(C) should
(D) having to
9 “I bought a bottle of water, but I ______ throw it away before we go through security. It is the law.”
(A) must to
(B) should
(C) has to
(D) have to
10 “Friend: ______ go to the airport three hours early?” – “Yes, international flights require it.”
(A) Have I to
(B) Do I have to
(C) Must I to
(D) Should I to
11 “Sarah ______ bring her national ID card because she already has her passport with her.”
(A) don’t have to
(B) doesn’t have to
(C) mustn’t
(D) hasn’t to
12 “If you feel sick during the long flight, you ______ tell the flight attendant immediately.”
(A) have to
(B) should to
(C) should
(D) must to
13 “Before you enter the country, you ______ fill out this customs declaration form.”
(A) should
(B) must to
(C) have to
(D) have
14 “We ______ joke about bombs or dangerous things at the airport security check. It is illegal.”
(A) don’t have to
(B) shouldn’t
(C) haven’t to
(D) mustn’t
15 “It’s a very long flight to Australia. We ______ bring a good book to read.”
(A) have to
(B) must to
(C) should
(D) should to
16 “Mark lost his passport at the hotel! He ______ visit the embassy today to get a new one.”
(A) have to
(B) has to
(C) must to
(D) having to
17 “If your bag is too heavy, you ______ pay an extra fee at the check-in desk.”
(A) has to
(B) should
(C) have to
(D) must to
18 “You ______ take your laptop out of your bag when you go through the security scanner.”
(A) must to
(B) should
(C) having to
(D) have to
19 “We ______ buy travel insurance by law, but it is highly recommended in case of medical emergencies.”
(A) mustn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) haven’t to
(D) shouldn’t
20 “______ show our return tickets to the immigration officer?”
(A) Have we to
(B) Are we must
(C) Do we have to
(D) Must we to
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Key: (A) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Have to” is used for external obligations (laws, airline rules, customs). You don’t have a choice.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“should” is just advice, but showing a passport is a strict law). (C) is a Common Mistake (never put “to” after “must”). (D) is a Structural Error (“has” doesn’t match the subject “We”).
2 Key: (C) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: It is a legal requirement to have a valid passport to travel.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (too weak for a legal necessity). (A) is a Structural Error (we rarely use “have to” with the verb “to be” like “am have to”). (D) is a Common Mistake (“must to” is invalid).
3 Key: (D) Do we have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: In the Present Simple, questions with “have to” are formed using “Do/Does + subject + have to”.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Common Mistake. (B) is a Structural Error (treating “have” as an auxiliary instead of a main verb). (C) is a Structural Error.
4 Key: (B) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Don’t have to” means there is NO obligation. It is not necessary to get a visa.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” means it is illegal or forbidden to get a visa, which is wrong). (D) is a Meaning Trap (bad advice). (C) is a Structural Error.
5 Key: (A) mustn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Mustn’t” is used for strict prohibitions and forbidden actions (breaking the weight limit rule).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“doesn’t have to” means the bag is allowed to be heavier if you want, which contradicts the “strict rules”). (C) is a Meaning Trap (too weak). (D) is a Structural Error.
6 Key: (C) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Because they have digital copies, it is not necessary to print them.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” implies the airline forbids you from printing them). (B) and (D) are Structural Errors.
7 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Making a copy of your passport is a smart, helpful suggestion, not an international law.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (implies the law forces you to make a copy). (A) and (D) are Structural Errors.
8 Key: (B) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The customs officer represents authority/external rules. If they call you, you are obligated to go.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (wrong agreement for “We”). (C) is a Meaning Trap. (D) is a Structural Error.
9 Key: (D) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Airport security rules dictate this action. It is an external force.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“should” is for advice). (A) is a Common Mistake. (C) is a Structural Error.
10 Key: (B) Do I have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Correct grammatical structure for asking about an external rule.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
11 Key: (B) doesn’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Sarah” is singular, so we use “doesn’t have to” to show the lack of obligation.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (“don’t” is plural). (C) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” means she is forbidden to bring her ID). (D) is a Structural Error.
12 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Giving friendly, practical advice for a health issue.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (it is highly recommended, but not a strict legal “rule” to tell them). (B) and (D) are Structural Errors.
13 Key: (C) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Filling out customs forms is a mandatory legal process before entering a country.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (too weak). (B) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error (missing “to”).
14 Key: (D) mustn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: It is strictly forbidden (illegal) to make bomb jokes at the airport.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“don’t have to” means you are not forced to joke, but you can if you want—this will get you arrested!). (B) is a Meaning Trap (too weak). (C) is a Structural Error.
15 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Bringing a book is just a good idea for entertainment.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap. (B) and (D) are Structural Errors.
16 Key: (B) has to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “He” requires the singular form “has to”. He is forced by the situation to get a new passport.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (plural). (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
17 Key: (C) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “You” takes “have to” to express the airline’s financial rule.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Meaning Trap. (D) is a Common Mistake.
18 Key: (D) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: An external rule enforced by security guards.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Common Mistake. (B) is a Meaning Trap (implies it’s just a good idea, not a strict rule). (C) is a Structural Error.
19 Key: (B) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: It is not legally required (“by law”), so there is no obligation. However, the second half of the sentence suggests it’s a good idea anyway.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (means it is forbidden to buy insurance). (D) is a Meaning Trap. (C) is a Structural Error.
20 Key: (C) Do we have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Asking an immigration officer about legal requirements.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Common Mistake.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Have to (External Laws and Rules): – We use Have to to talk about obligations that come from the outside world.
- When you travel, almost everything involves laws, customs officers, and airline policies. Because you do not make these rules, you must use “have to.”
- Example: “I have to show my passport.” (The government forces me).
- Mustn’t vs. Don’t have to (Airport Survival!):
- Mustn’t (Must not): Means PROHIBITION. It is illegal or strictly forbidden.
- Example: You mustn’t bring weapons. (You will be arrested).
- Don’t have to: Means NOT NECESSARY. You have a choice.
- Example: You don’t have to print your ticket. (You can use your phone instead).
- Should (Advice):
- Use Should for good ideas and helpful tips that are not required by law.
- Example: “You should pack a light jacket.”
- Questions with “Have to”:
- Always treat “have” as a normal main verb. Use Do or Does to ask questions.
- Right: Do we have to wait here?
- Wrong: Have we to wait here?