CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
We ___ finish this today if everyone helps.
A. can
B. could have
C. must have
D. should have
Correct Answer: A
'Can' expresses present/future ability or possibility.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ have waited; I could have driven you.
A. should
B. should have
C. may
D. will
Correct Answer: B
'Should have waited' indicates a preferable past action that did not happen.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The door is locked; they ___ have left.
A. may
B. mustn't
C. shall
D. cannot to
Correct Answer: A
'May have' expresses possibility about a past event.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ to apologize for his behavior.
A. ought
B. ought to
C. must to
D. should to
Correct Answer: B
'Ought' is followed by 'to + base verb'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ better check the figures once more.
A. would
B. had
C. should had
D. must had
Correct Answer: B
The fixed expression is 'had better + base verb'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Visitors ___ leave their bags at reception.
A. are required to
B. must to
C. should to
D. may to
Correct Answer: A
'Are required to' correctly expresses formal obligation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
When he was young, he ___ swim across the river.
A. can
B. could
C. shall
D. must
Correct Answer: B
'Could' expresses general ability in the past.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ see a specialist if the pain continues.
A. should
B. would have
C. must have
D. can have
Correct Answer: A
'Should' expresses advice.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
We ___ hurry; the meeting starts in two hours.
A. mustn't
B. needn't
C. should have
D. wouldn't to
Correct Answer: B
'Needn't' means there is no necessity.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ have taken the wrong road; that would explain the delay.
A. must
B. mustn't
C. shall
D. would to
Correct Answer: A
'Must have' expresses a strong deduction about a past event.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
They ___ have forgotten the date; they are usually punctual.
A. must
B. might
C. can't
D. shall
Correct Answer: C
'Can't have' expresses a strong belief that a past event was impossible.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ have informed the office earlier.
A. should
B. should have
C. may
D. can
Correct Answer: B
'Should have + past participle' expresses criticism about a past action.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She ___ be at home; I just saw her at the market.
A. must
B. can't
C. ought to
D. shall
Correct Answer: B
'Can't' expresses a strong negative deduction.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ be very tired after working all night.
A. must
B. can't
C. shouldn't
D. might not
Correct Answer: A
'Must' can express a strong logical deduction.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ park here; this area is reserved.
A. must
B. must not
C. should
D. may
Correct Answer: B
'Must not' expresses prohibition.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ submit original documents at the interview; it is mandatory.
A. might
B. must
C. could
D. would
Correct Answer: B
'Must' expresses strong obligation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ television when the doorbell rang.
A. watched
B. was watching
C. has watched
D. had watch
Correct Answer: B
The ongoing past action uses the past continuous.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I ___ him twice this month.
A. met last year
B. have met
C. had met before 2010
D. am meeting yesterday
Correct Answer: B
An unfinished time period such as 'this month' commonly takes the present perfect.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The train ___ before we reached the platform.
A. leaves
B. had left
C. has left tomorrow
D. was leave
Correct Answer: B
Past perfect shows the train's departure occurred before our arrival.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She ___ all morning, so she needs a break.
A. studied yesterday
B. has been studying
C. had studied in 2010
D. is study
Correct Answer: B
Present perfect continuous shows an activity continuing up to the present.