Mustn’t vs. Don’t have to – English Grammar Exercises for B1
Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence. Read the text carefully, as all questions are part of a continuous social media news report written by a traffic correspondent.
BREAKING NEWS: City Council announces strict new rules for electric scooter riders! Read below to stay safe and avoid heavy fines.
1 Let’s start with the most important new law: riders ______ drive their electric scooters on pedestrian sidewalks; it is now strictly illegal.
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t
(c) shouldn’t
(d) mustn’t to
2 Good news first, though: owners ______ pay any annual road tax for electric scooters under the new green transport system.
(a) mustn’t
(b) haven’t to
(c) don’t have to
(d) aren’t need to
3 However, to ensure public safety, you ______ exceed the maximum speed limit of 25 km/h in residential areas.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) mustn’t exceeding
(d) needn’t
4 According to Section 2, you ______ hold a full car driver’s license, but you must complete a basic online safety course.
(a) shouldn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) mustn’t
(d) don’t must
5 This should be obvious to everyone, but riders absolutely ______ operate a scooter under the influence of alcohol.
(a) don’t have to
(b) don’t need
(c) shouldn’t
(d) mustn’t
6 When parking your vehicle, you ______ block wheelchair ramps or disabled parking spaces. The police will fine you $500!
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) mustn’t to block
(d) couldn’t
7 You ______ wear a bright reflective jacket during the day, although the city council highly recommends it for your own safety.
(a) mustn’t
(b) haven’t to
(c) don’t have to
(d) wouldn’t
8 On the other hand, you ______ ride without front and rear lights after dark. It is a severe safety violation.
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t
(c) mustn’t riding
(d) needn’t
9 Distracted driving causes accidents. Therefore, you ______ use a mobile phone while steering your scooter.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) don’t must
(d) shouldn’t
10 The city has created special “green parking zones” near subway stations where you ______ pay any hourly parking fees.
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t
(c) haven’t to pay
(d) cannot
11 These vehicles are designed for single riders only, meaning you ______ carry a second passenger on the back.
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t to
(c) shouldn’t
(d) mustn’t
12 Furthermore, you ______ transport heavy or oversized cargo that affects your balance on the road.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) mustn’t transporting
(d) needn’t
13 You ______ buy an expensive, heavy motorcycle helmet; a standard, certified bicycle helmet is perfectly legal and acceptable.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) not have to
(d) wouldn’t
14 Under no circumstances can you alter the vehicle’s engine. You ______ modify the scooter to go faster than the factory limits.
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t to modify
(c) mustn’t
(d) shouldn’t
15 Electric scooters are strictly for urban city use, which means you ______ enter the national highways.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) don’t must
(d) aren’t supposed
16 Currently, you ______ purchase expensive vehicle insurance, though the government might make it mandatory next year.
(a) mustn’t
(b) haven’t to
(c) don’t need
(d) don’t have to
17 To ensure you can hear surrounding traffic, you ______ wear noise-canceling headphones while riding.
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t
(c) mustn’t wearing
(d) needn’t
18 If your scooter’s electric motor is under 250W, you ______ officially register it with the Department of Transportation.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) haven’t to register
(d) shouldn’t
19 Scooter riders are treated exactly like regular cars at intersections; you ______ ignore red traffic lights!
(a) don’t have to
(b) mustn’t to
(c) mustn’t
(d) couldn’t
20 Finally, if a police officer signals you to pull over, you ______ ride away! Fleeing from the police is a serious crime.
(a) mustn’t
(b) don’t have to
(c) don’t must
(d) shouldn’t
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Riding on the sidewalk is illegal. It is a strict prohibition enforced by law.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake (implies “you don’t need to ride on the sidewalk, but you can,” which breaks the law). (d) “mustn’t to” is a Structural Error (modals do not take “to”). (c) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap (too weak for a legal ban).
2 (c) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: Paying road tax is not required for scooters. The government has removed this obligation as a benefit.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake (it’s not illegal to pay, it’s just not required). (b) “haven’t to” is a Structural Error. (d) “aren’t need to” is a Structural Error.
3 (a) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Exceeding the speed limit is a traffic violation. It is forbidden.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (c) “mustn’t exceeding” is a Structural Error (requires the base form of the verb). (d) “needn’t” is a Meaning Trap (indicates lack of necessity, not prohibition).
4 (b) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: The law does not force you to have a car license; a basic course is enough. The heavy requirement is absent.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake (it is perfectly fine to have a car license, you just aren’t forced to). (d) “don’t must” is a Structural Error. (a) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
5 (d) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Drunk driving is a severe crime. It is absolutely prohibited.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (b) “don’t need” is a Structural Error (missing “to”). (c) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap (far too weak for drunk driving).
6 (a) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Blocking disabled parking results in a fine because it is an illegal action.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (c) “mustn’t to block” is a Structural Error. (d) “couldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
7 (c) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: Wearing a reflective jacket during the day is recommended, but not legally required (no obligation).
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake. (b) “haven’t to” is a Structural Error. (d) “wouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
8 (b) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Riding without lights at night is a dangerous legal violation.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (c) “mustn’t riding” is a Structural Error. (d) “needn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
9 (a) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Using a phone while driving is banned under the new traffic section.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (c) “don’t must” is a Structural Error. (d) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
10 (a) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: The city provides free parking zones, removing the obligation to pay.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake. (c) “haven’t to pay” is a Structural Error. (d) “cannot” is a Meaning Trap.
11 (d) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Carrying passengers on a single-rider vehicle is illegal and unsafe.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (b) “mustn’t to” is a Structural Error. (c) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
12 (a) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Carrying heavy cargo that affects balance is an explicit road safety prohibition.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (c) “mustn’t transporting” is a Structural Error. (d) “needn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
13 (b) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: A standard bicycle helmet works, so you are not forced to spend money on a motorcycle helmet.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake (buying a motorcycle helmet is fine, just not required). (c) “not have to” is a Structural Error. (d) “wouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
14 (c) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Engine modification to exceed limits is illegal. It is strictly forbidden.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (b) “mustn’t to modify” is a Structural Error. (d) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
15 (a) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Scooters on national highways pose a fatal risk and are legally banned.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake (implies “you don’t have to use the highway, but you can if you want”, which would cause an accident). (c) “don’t must” is a Structural Error. (d) “aren’t supposed” is a Structural Error (needs “to enter”).
16 (d) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: Currently, there is no law forcing you to buy insurance. The legal obligation is absent.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake. (b) “haven’t to” is a Structural Error. (c) “don’t need” is a Structural Error (missing “to”).
17 (b) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Wearing noise-canceling headphones blocks traffic sounds and is prohibited by safety laws.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (c) “mustn’t wearing” is a Structural Error. (d) “needn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
18 (b) don’t have to
- Why it is correct: Small scooters (under 250W) are exempt from registration. You lack the legal obligation to do it.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “mustn’t” is a Common Mistake. (c) “haven’t to register” is a Structural Error. (d) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
19 (c) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Ignoring red lights is a direct traffic violation. It is forbidden.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake. (b) “mustn’t to” is a Structural Error. (d) “couldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
20 (a) mustn’t
- Why it is correct: Fleeing the police is a serious crime. It is the ultimate legal prohibition in traffic.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “don’t have to” is a Common Mistake (saying “you don’t have to ride away” is absurd when dealing with the police). (c) “don’t must” is a Structural Error. (d) “shouldn’t” is a Meaning Trap.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 MUSTN’T (Strict Prohibition & Zero Choice)
- Core Meaning: It is strictly forbidden, dangerous, or against the rules. You have absolutely no choice in the matter. If you do this action, there will be negative consequences (e.g., getting fired, getting hurt, or breaking the law).
- Common Contexts: Legal warnings, medical advice, safety hazards, and strict company/public policies.
- Structure: Subject + mustn’t + Verb (bare infinitive). (Important: Never put “to” after mustn’t).
- Examples:
- Safety: You mustn’t mix those toxic chemicals.
- Law: You mustn’t drive over the speed limit.
- Rules: You mustn’t share your company password.
2 DON’T HAVE TO (Lack of Obligation & Free Choice)
- Core Meaning: It is NOT necessary or required. The rule has been relaxed, a service is provided for you, or the task is simply optional. You have the freedom to choose—you can still do the action if you really want to, but you are not forced to.
- Common Contexts: Weekend plans, all-inclusive vacations, optional exam questions, and workplace perks.
- Structure: Subject + don’t/doesn’t have to + Verb (bare infinitive).
- Examples:
- Relief: You don’t have to wake up early on Sunday.
- Perk: You don’t have to pay for coffee; it is free.
- Optional: You don’t have to wear a suit to the party.
💡 THE GOLDEN RULE OF THUMB:
- If doing the action causes a disaster, a penalty, or danger, use MUSTN’T. (e.g., “You mustn’t touch the wet paint!”)
- If doing the action is just a waste of your time, energy, or money because it is not required, use DON’T HAVE TO. (e.g., “You don’t have to cook tonight; I bought pizza!”)