Conjunctions and Modals English Grammar Practice Test -- Free Practice

Question 1

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She was tired, ______ she finished the work.

A

but✓✗

B

because✓✗

C

or✓✗

D

if✓✗

Explanation

The two ideas contrast, so "but" is correct. "Because" gives a reason, "or" gives a choice, and "if" sets a condition.

Question 2

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

He did not come ______ he was ill.

A

but✓✗

B

because✓✗

C

or✓✗

D

so✓✗

Explanation

The second part gives the reason, so "because" is correct. "So" would introduce a result, not a reason.

Question 3

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Would you like tea ______ coffee?

A

but✓✗

B

so✓✗

C

or✓✗

D

nor✓✗

Explanation

A choice between two things takes "or". "Nor" follows a negative, and "but" and "so" do not show choice.

Question 4

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She ______ speak three languages.

A

cans✓✗

B

is can✓✗

C

to can✓✗

D

can✓✗

Explanation

"Can" shows ability and is followed by the base verb. Modals do not take -s, are not used after "is", and have no "to" form.

Question 5

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

You ______ wear a helmet; it is the law.

A

must✓✗

B

may✓✗

C

might✓✗

D

could✓✗

Explanation

"It is the law" shows a strong obligation, so "must" is correct. The others show possibility or permission.

Question 6

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

______ you help me with this form, please?

A

Ought✓✗

B

Could✓✗

C

Used✓✗

D

Dare✓✗

Explanation

"Could you" makes a polite request. "Ought" and "used" need "to", and "dare" does not make requests.

Question 7

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Take an umbrella; it ______ rain later.

A

ought✓✗

B

must to✓✗

C

may✓✗

D

is able✓✗

Explanation

"May" shows a possibility and is followed by the base verb. "Ought" needs "to", "must to" is not a valid form, and "is able" needs "to".

Question 8

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Both Ravi ______ Meena passed the test.

A

or✓✗

B

nor✓✗

C

but✓✗

D

and✓✗

Explanation

"Both" pairs with "and". "Or", "nor" and "but" do not pair with it.

Question 9

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

Although it was raining, but they played the match.

A

they played✓✗

B

and they played✓✗

C

so they played✓✗

D

No improvement✓✗

Explanation

"Although" and "but" both show contrast, so only one can be used. Dropping "but" gives "they played". "And" and "so" also cannot join a clause that already starts with "Although".

Question 10

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

Unless you do not work hard, / you will not / pass the exam.

A

Unless you do not work hard,✓✗

B

you will not✓✗

C

pass the exam.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Unless" already means "if not", so "not" must go: "Unless you work hard". The other parts are correct.

Question 11

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

He is not only / intelligent but / also hardworking.

A

He is not only✓✗

B

intelligent but✓✗

C

also hardworking.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Not only" and "but also" are each followed by an adjective, so the sentence is balanced. It has no error.

Question 12

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

______ you live long and stay healthy!

A

Can✓✗

B

May✓✗

C

Must✓✗

D

Shall✓✗

Explanation

"May" at the start of a sentence expresses a wish or blessing. The other modals do not.

Question 13

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

Neither Tom / or Jerry / came to the party.

A

Neither Tom✓✗

B

or Jerry✓✗

C

came to the party.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Neither" pairs with "nor", so it should be "nor Jerry". The other parts are correct.

Question 14

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

You need not / to worry / about the fees.

A

You need not✓✗

B

to worry✓✗

C

about the fees.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Need not" works as a modal and takes the base verb, so "to" must go: "worry". The other parts are correct.

Question 15

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

She will can / finish it / by Friday.

A

She will can✓✗

B

finish it✓✗

C

by Friday.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

Two modals cannot be used together. It should be "will be able to" or just "can". The other parts are correct.

Question 16

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

You ought complete / the form / before Friday.

A

You ought complete✓✗

B

the form✓✗

C

before Friday.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Ought" is always followed by "to", so it should be "You ought to complete". The other parts are correct.

Question 17

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Wait here ______ I come back.

A

unless✓✗

B

lest✓✗

C

until✓✗

D

whereas✓✗

Explanation

"Until" means "up to the time when", which fits. "Unless" sets a condition, "lest" means "for fear that", and "whereas" shows contrast.

Question 18

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

You may borrow the car ______ you return it by evening.

A

unless✓✗

B

lest✓✗

C

although✓✗

D

provided✓✗

Explanation

"Provided" means "on the condition that", which fits. "Unless" would reverse the meaning, "lest" shows fear, and "although" shows contrast.

Question 19

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

______ the heavy rain, the flight took off on time.

A

Despite✓✗

B

Although✓✗

C

Because✓✗

D

Unless✓✗

Explanation

A noun phrase follows, and the idea is a contrast, so "Despite" is correct. "Although", "because" and "unless" need a full clause.

Question 20

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The match was cancelled ______ the rain.

A

because✓✗

B

because of✓✗

C

although✓✗

D

so✓✗

Explanation

A noun phrase giving the reason takes "because of". "Because" needs a clause, and "although" and "so" do not give a reason before a noun.

Question 21

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

He was ______ tired that he fell asleep at once.

A

such✓✗

B

too✓✗

C

so✓✗

D

very✓✗

Explanation

"So + adjective + that" shows a result. "Such" needs a noun, and "too" and "very" do not go with "that" in this pattern.

Question 22

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

It was ______ a good film that we saw it twice.

A

so✓✗

B

too✓✗

C

very✓✗

D

such✓✗

Explanation

"Such + a + adjective + noun + that" shows a result, so "such" is correct. "So", "too" and "very" cannot come before "a good film".

Question 23

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She is ______ young to vote.

A

too✓✗

B

so✓✗

C

enough✓✗

D

such✓✗

Explanation

"Too + adjective + to" means the thing is not possible, so "too" is correct. "So" would need "that", "enough" comes after the adjective, and "such" needs a noun.

Question 24

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The lights are off; they ______ left already.

A

must✓✗

B

must have✓✗

C

can✓✗

D

would✓✗

Explanation

"Left" is a past participle here, and a firm conclusion about the past takes "must have + past participle". The other modals cannot go directly before "left".

Question 25

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

You ______ told me earlier; now it is too late.

A

should✓✗

B

must✓✗

C

should have✓✗

D

can✓✗

Explanation

"Now it is too late" shows a past action that did not happen, which takes "should have + past participle". The other modals cannot go directly before "told".

Question 26

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

You ______ bring lunch; it will be provided.

A

must not✓✗

B

should✓✗

C

ought to✓✗

D

need not✓✗

Explanation

Lunch will be provided, so there is no necessity to bring it, which is "need not". "Must not" would forbid it, and "should" and "ought to" would advise it.

Question 27

Choose the sentence that best combines these two: He worked hard. He failed.

A

Though he worked hard, he failed.✓✗

B

Because he worked hard, he failed.✓✗

C

He worked hard, so he failed.✓✗

D

Unless he worked hard, he failed.✓✗

Explanation

Failing after hard work is a contrast, so "Though" is correct. "Because" and "so" make hard work the cause of failing, and "unless" gives a wrong condition.

Question 28

Choose the sentence that best combines these two: It was raining. We stayed indoors.

A

Although it was raining, we stayed indoors.✓✗

B

As it was raining, we stayed indoors.✓✗

C

Unless it was raining, we stayed indoors.✓✗

D

It was raining, yet we stayed indoors.✓✗

Explanation

Rain is the reason for staying in, so "As" is correct. "Although" and "yet" show contrast, and "unless" gives a wrong condition.

Question 29

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Walk carefully lest you ______ fall.

A

will✓✗

B

must✓✗

C

should✓✗

D

may not✓✗

Explanation

"Lest" means "for fear that" and is followed by "should". "Will" and "must" are not used after it, and "may not" adds a negative that "lest" already carries.

Question 30

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

No sooner had he arrived ______ the meeting began.

A

when✓✗

B

then✓✗

C

before✓✗

D

than✓✗

Explanation

"No sooner" pairs with "than". "When" and "before" pair with "hardly" and "scarcely", and "then" does not form this pattern.

Question 31

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Ask him ______ he will join us or not.

A

whether✓✗

B

unless✓✗

C

lest✓✗

D

than✓✗

Explanation

"Whether ... or not" shows two possibilities. "Unless", "lest" and "than" do not form this pattern.

Question 32

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The reason for his absence is ______ he was ill.

A

because✓✗

B

that✓✗

C

why✓✗

D

since✓✗

Explanation

"The reason ... is" is followed by "that". "Because" and "since" repeat the idea of "reason", which is a common error, and "why" does not fit.

Question 33

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She ______ have written this report; she was on leave all month.

A

must✓✗

B

should✓✗

C

cannot✓✗

D

would✓✗

Explanation

Her leave makes it impossible, and impossibility in the past takes "cannot have". "Must have" would say she certainly wrote it, and "should have" and "would have" do not fit this reason.

Question 34

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

You ______ have bought the tickets; they were free.

A

must not✓✗

B

ought✓✗

C

dare✓✗

D

need not✓✗

Explanation

"Need not have + past participle" means something was done without being necessary. "Must not have" gives a different meaning, "ought" needs "to", and "dare" does not fit.

Question 35

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

You had better ______ the doctor today.

A

see✓✗

B

to see✓✗

C

seeing✓✗

D

saw✓✗

Explanation

"Had better" is followed by the base verb, so "see" is correct. "To see", "seeing" and "saw" are not used after it.

Question 36

Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

I would rather ______ at home than go out.

A

to stay✓✗

B

stay✓✗

C

staying✓✗

D

stayed✓✗

Explanation

"Would rather" is followed by the base verb, and "go" after "than" confirms this. So "stay" is correct.

Question 37

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The job requires / both patience / and to be careful.

A

The job requires✓✗

B

both patience✓✗

C

and to be careful.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

After "both ... and", the two items must match. "Patience" is a noun, so the second should be a noun too: "and care". The other parts are correct.

Question 38

The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

Hardly had she / sat down / than the phone rang.

A

Hardly had she✓✗

B

sat down✓✗

C

than the phone rang.✓✗

D

No error✓✗

Explanation

"Hardly" pairs with "when" or "before", not "than", so it should be "when the phone rang". The other parts are correct.

Question 39

Choose the sentence closest in meaning to: He could not have seen the notice.

A

He probably saw the notice.✓✗

B

He ought to have seen the notice.✓✗

C

It is impossible that he saw the notice.✓✗

D

He was not allowed to see the notice.✓✗

Explanation

"Could not have" says something was impossible in the past. "Probably saw" says the opposite, "ought to have" gives a duty, and "was not allowed" gives a rule.

Question 40

Read the short passage and choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Sales fell this quarter. ______, profits rose because costs were cut. The board was satisfied with the result.

A

Therefore✓✗

B

Moreover✓✗

C

Besides✓✗

D

However✓✗

Explanation

Falling sales and rising profits are a contrast, so "However" is correct. "Therefore" shows a result, and "Moreover" and "Besides" add a similar point.