Modals of Obligation (Must, Have to, Should) – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You are reading and writing online reviews for some of the best restaurants in the city. You want to share helpful tips with future customers so they can have a great experience. Read the sentences carefully and choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each review.
1 “Pro-tip: This restaurant is incredibly popular. You ______ book a table in advance, or you will wait outside for an hour.”
(A) should to
(B) must to
(C) should
(D) have
2 “The portions here are absolutely huge! You ______ order too many dishes if you are eating alone.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) shouldn’t to
(D) haven’t to
3 “If you love spicy food, I highly recommend the curry. You ______ try it!”
(A) has to
(B) should
(C) are should
(D) must to
4 “This is a very fancy and expensive place. According to their website, men ______ wear a jacket and tie.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) have to
(C) should to
(D) don’t have to
5 “The seafood pasta is delicious, but you ______ squeeze some fresh lemon on it for the best flavor.”
(A) have
(B) must to
(C) should
(D) has to
6 “They only accept cash here. You ______ bring paper money because they do not take credit cards.”
(A) have to
(B) should to
(C) having to
(D) must to
7 “For a romantic date, you ______ ask the waiter for a table by the window. The view is amazing.”
(A) must to
(B) should
(C) have
(D) are should
8 “Reader question: ______ I leave a tip at this cafe?” – “Reviewer: Yes, the service is wonderful!”
(A) Do I have to
(B) Must I to
(C) Should I
(D) Have I
9 “You ______ worry about finding a parking spot. The restaurant has a large, free parking lot in the back.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) mustn’t
(D) haven’t to
10 “The live music is great, but it can be very loud. You ______ sit right next to the speakers.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) shouldn’t to
(D) mustn’t
11 “The menu is entirely in French. You ______ ask the friendly staff to translate it for you.”
(A) have
(B) must to
(C) should
(D) should to
12 “As a customer, you ______ clean your own table. The waiters will do it for you.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) mustn’t
(C) don’t have to
(D) haven’t to
13 “If you want a quiet and peaceful dinner, you ______ go on a Friday night. It is extremely noisy.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) haven’t to
(D) mustn’t
14 “My best advice: You ______ always check their Facebook page for the secret daily discount codes.”
(A) should to
(B) should
(C) must to
(D) have
15 “The restaurant is located inside a private club. You ______ show your ID to the security guard at the door.”
(A) should
(B) have to
(C) must to
(D) having to
16 “I think everyone ______ visit this bakery at least once. The chocolate croissants will change your life!”
(A) should
(B) should to
(C) must to
(D) have
17 “You ______ bring your dog inside the dining room. It is strictly against the city’s health laws.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t have to
(C) mustn’t
(D) aren’t have to
18 “The soup is served boiling hot! You ______ wait a few minutes before you eat it.”
(A) have
(B) must to
(C) should
(D) should to
19 “Reader question: What time ______ we arrive to get the freshest bread?” – “Reviewer: Right when they open at 7 AM.”
(A) do we must
(B) should
(C) have we to
(D) are we should
20 “Overall, it is a fantastic place. You ______ definitely add it to your travel list!”
(A) have
(B) must to
(C) should to
(D) should
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Should” is the perfect modal to offer a helpful tip or a good idea to the reader.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (never put “to” after “should”). (B) is a Common Mistake (“must to” is invalid). (D) is a Structural Error (“have” lacks “to” and sounds too bossy for a friendly tip).
2 Key: (A) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Shouldn’t” gives friendly advice against a bad idea (ordering too much food).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (“don’t have to” means it’s not a rule to order a lot, but “shouldn’t” actively warns you that it’s a mistake). (C) and (D) are Structural Errors.
3 Key: (B) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A strong, friendly recommendation based on personal experience.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error (“has” doesn’t match “you”). (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Common Mistake.
4 Key: (B) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The restaurant’s official dress code is an external rule. You do not have a choice, so “have to” is required.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Meaning Trap (the opposite of the truth).
5 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Suggesting a way to make the food taste better (a pro-tip).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
6 Key: (A) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The restaurant’s payment policy is an external rule. If you don’t bring cash, you cannot pay.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Common Mistake.
7 Key: (B) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Giving a romantic tip to future diners.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Common Mistake. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error.
8 Key: (C) Should I
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Asking a reviewer for their opinion or advice about tipping.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (asks if it is a strict legal rule, but tipping is usually an etiquette question). (B) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
9 Key: (B) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Don’t have to” expresses a lack of obligation. It is not necessary to worry because there is a free parking lot.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap. (C) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” means worrying is forbidden!). (D) is a Structural Error.
10 Key: (A) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Warning the reader that sitting near the speakers is a bad idea for their ears.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap (it means “you are not forced to sit there,” which doesn’t capture the warning). (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Meaning Trap (too strict for seating advice).
11 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Offering a helpful solution to the language problem.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
12 Key: (C) don’t have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: It is not necessary for customers to clean because the waiters do it.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap. (B) is a Meaning Trap (“mustn’t” means it is illegal to clean your table). (D) is a Structural Error.
13 Key: (A) shouldn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A classic “pro-tip” warning against a bad time to visit.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Meaning Trap. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Meaning Trap (too bossy).
14 Key: (B) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The phrase “My best advice” immediately signals the use of “should”.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
15 Key: (B) have to
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Showing ID to a security guard is a strict external rule.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (“should” is too weak for a security check). (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
16 Key: (A) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A passionate personal recommendation.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
17 Key: (C) mustn’t
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Strictly against the city’s health laws” means it is completely forbidden. “Mustn’t” is the correct modal for prohibition.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Meaning Trap (too weak for a law). (B) is a Meaning Trap (“don’t have to” means it’s okay if you bring the dog). (D) is a Structural Error.
18 Key: (C) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Giving practical safety advice to avoid burning your tongue.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Common Mistake. (D) is a Structural Error.
19 Key: (B) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The standard way to ask for a recommendation (“What time should we…”).
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (C) is a Structural Error. (D) is a Structural Error.
20 Key: (D) should
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: A concluding piece of advice for the reader’s travel itinerary.
- Distractor Analysis: (A) is a Structural Error. (B) is a Common Mistake. (C) is a Structural Error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- The “Pro-Tip” Modal: – When writing a review or giving helpful hints, Should is the most natural choice. It tells the reader, “Based on my experience, this is a great idea for you.”
- Example: “You should try the chocolate cake.” (It’s a tip).
- Shouldn’t (Warnings):
- Use Shouldn’t to give a “pro-tip” about what to avoid. It helps people avoid mistakes.
- Example: “You shouldn’t go on weekends; it’s too crowded.”
- When to use “Have to” in a Review:
- Only use Have to when you are warning the reader about a strict restaurant policy or a law (like dress codes, cash-only rules, or ID checks).
- Example: “You have to wear a tie.” (It is not my advice; it is the restaurant’s rule).
- Don’t have to (Saving effort/money):
- Use Don’t have to to tell the reader that something is not necessary, usually to save them time or money.
- Example: “You don’t have to pay for parking.” (Because it is free!).