Activities

1 Choose the most suitable words underlined.

a) That can't have been/shouldn't have been Nick that you saw.

b) You had to give/might have given me a hand!

c) I caught a later train because I had to see/must have seen a client.

d) I suppose Bill should have lost/might have lost his way.

e) I didn't refuse the cake, as it must have been/would have been rude.

f) I don't know who rang, but it could have been/must have been Jim.

g) It was odd that you should have bought/would have bought the same car. h) I asked them to leave but they couldn't/wouldn't go.

i) It's a pity you didn't ask because I could help/could have helped you. j) It's your own fault, you can't have/shouldn't have gone to bed so late.

2 Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.

a) Don't worry that Carol is late, she might /could have missed the train.

b) I begged David to accept some money, but he.........................hear of it.

c) That was a lucky escape! You................................................been killed!

d) It was supposed to be a secret! You............................................told her!

e) I spent last week at the beach because I didn't....................go to school.

f) The plane is late. It............................................................landed by now.

g) You.....................................................met my brother. I haven't got one!

h) There is only one solution. The butler..........................................done it.

i) It was lovely. We..........»....................................................a better holiday.

j) So it was you who set off the fire alarm for a joke! I....................known!

3 Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same.

a) It wasn't very nice of you not to invite me to your party! MIGHT

You might have invited me to your party!

b) Thank you very much for buying me flowers! SHOULDN'T

c) It wouldn't have been right to let you do all the work COULDN'T

on your own.

d) I don't believe that you have lost your keys again! CAN'T

e) Mary was a talented violinist at the age of ten. PLAY

f) Perhaps they didn't notice the tyre was flat. MIGHT

g) The results are expected tomorrow. KNOW

h) They escaped possible injury when the car crashed. HAVE

i) A visa wasn't necessary after all. NEED

j) Apparently someone has borrowed the cassette player. HAVE

4 Complete the comment at the end of each sentence.

a) Pay no attention to what Martin said. He can't have been serious.

b) Fancy accepting the job just like that! You.........................asked me first!

c) The test was no problem at all. It.........................easier, in fact!

d) I'm sure Jack didn't mean to ignore you. He.........................noticed you.

e) That was a lucky escape! We.........................killed!

f) Hello, I'm home early. I....................late at the office after all.

g) The meat is a bit burnt. You........................cooked it for so long. I did tell you!

h) There were plenty of tickets left for the concert. We.................them in advance,

i) Sally got home at four o'clock this morning. The party................really good!

j) This homework is not as good as usual, I think you.................more time on it.