Semi-modals Practice Test — Basic

All 45 questions with answers

Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.

1. Q1I ___ live in London, but I moved to Paris.

   Aused Buse to Cused to Dto use

   Answer: C. used to

   We use 'used to' to talk about something that happened regularly in the past but doesn't happen now. For example: 'I used to have long hair.' Use 'used to' + the basic action word.

2. Q2___ you use to play football when you were young?

   ADid BDo CUsed DWere

   Answer: A. Did

   To ask a question about the past, we use 'Did' at the start. When we use 'Did,' the word 'used' changes to 'use' (without the 'd'). For example: 'Did you use to eat meat?'

3. Q3She ___ eat vegetables, but now she loves them.

   Adoesn't use to Bdidn't used to Cdidn't use to Ddidn't used

   Answer: C. didn't use to

   In a negative sentence about the past, we use 'didn't use to.' Notice that because we have 'didn't,' we write 'use' (without the 'd'). Avoid 'didn't used to' or 'doesn't use to'.

4. Q4I ___ go to the gym, but I stopped last year.

   Ato use Bused Cused to Duse to

   Answer: C. used to

   Use 'used to' for actions that were true in the past but are not true now. The phrase 'used' needs the word 'to' before the action. For example: 'I used to swim every day.'

5. Q5How often ___ they use to visit their grandparents?

   ADid BWere CUsed DDo

   Answer: A. Did

   We use 'Did' to ask questions about habits in the past. Just like other past questions, 'Did' comes before the person. For example: 'Did they use to visit?'

6. Q6We ___ have a computer, but now we have three.

   Adidn't use to Bdidn't used to Cdon't use to Ddidn't used

   Answer: A. didn't use to

   To say something didn't happen regularly in the past, use 'didn't use to.' When we use 'didn't,' we must use the word 'use' without the letter 'd' at the end.

7. Q7Choose the correct sentence:

   AI used to smoking BI use to smoking CI use to smoke DI used to smoke

   Answer: D. I used to smoke

   After 'used to,' we use the simple form of the action (smoke). We don't add '-ing.' For example: 'I used to play,' not 'I used to playing.'

8. Q8Select the corrected version of: 'Did you used to live here?'

   ADid you used to live here? BDid you used live here? CDo you used to live here? DDid you use to live here?

   Answer: D. Did you use to live here?

   When you use 'Did' in a question, the word 'used' loses its 'd' and becomes 'use.' So, 'Did you use to...?' is correct, while 'Did you used to...' is a common mistake.

9. Q9My brother ___ like spicy food.

   Adidn't used Bdoesn't used to Cdidn't used to Ddidn't use to

   Answer: D. didn't use to

   'Didn't use to' means something wasn't true in the past but is true now. Always use 'use' (no 'd') after 'didn't.' Example: 'He didn't use to like coffee.'

10. Q10Choose the correct sentence:

    AHe used to walk to school BHe used to walking to school CHe use to walk to school DHe use to walking to school

    Answer: A. He used to walk to school

    'Used to' shows a past habit. It must have the letter 'd' in a normal sentence and the word 'to' before the action word (walk). Avoid saying 'use to walk' or 'used to walking.'

11. Q11Select the corrected version of: 'She didn't used to like math.'

    AShe didn't used to like math BShe didn't use to like math CShe not used to like math DShe doesn't used to like math

    Answer: B. She didn't use to like math

    In a negative sentence with 'didn't,' we use 'use to' (no 'd'). So, 'didn't use to' is the right way to say it. Avoid 'didn't used to.'

12. Q12I ___ have long hair, but I cut it short.

    Ause to Bto use Cused to Dused

    Answer: C. used to

    Use 'used to' to talk about a state in the past that has changed. It needs both the 'd' at the end of 'used' and the word 'to.' Example: 'I used to be shy.'

13. Q13Choose the correct sentence:

    ADid you used to collecting stamps BDid you used to collect stamps CDid you use to collect stamps DUsed you to collect stamps

    Answer: C. Did you use to collect stamps

    To ask about a past habit, use 'Did' + 'use to' (no 'd' on use). Avoid 'Did you used to' or 'Used you to collect.'

14. Q14We ___ watch TV every night.

    Adidn't used Bdon't use to Cdidn't used to Ddidn't use to

    Answer: D. didn't use to

    'Didn't use to' means we did not do something in the past. Remember: after 'didn't,' we use 'use' without the 'd'.

15. Q15Why ___ he use to travel so much?

    ADid BWere CDo DWas

    Answer: A. Did

    Use 'Did' to make questions about the past with 'use to.' For example: 'Where did you use to live?'

16. Q16It's starting to rain. You ___ take an umbrella.

    Abetter B'd better C'd better to Dbetter to

    Answer: B. 'd better

    'd better' is short for 'had better.' We use it to give strong advice. It is followed by the action word alone. We don't use 'to' after it. Example: 'You'd better go.'

17. Q17You ___ be late for the interview, or they won't hire you.

    Ahad better not Bhad better no Chad better not to Dhad not better

    Answer: A. had better not

    To give a negative warning, use 'had better not.' We do not add 'to' after 'not.' For example: 'You'd better not eat that.' Avoid 'had better not to.'

18. Q18We ___ hurry or we'll miss the train.

    A'd better to B'd better Cbetter than Dbetter to

    Answer: B. 'd better

    'd better' (had better) is used for strong advice when there is a risk if you don't do it. We use the action word (hurry) directly after it without 'to.'

19. Q19Choose the correct sentence:

    AYou'd better leave BYou better leaving CYou better to leave DYou'd better to leave

    Answer: A. You'd better leave

    Use 'You'd better' followed by the simple action word like 'leave.' Do not say 'better to leave' or 'better leaving.'

20. Q20You ___ tell him the truth before he finds out.

    A'd better B'd better to Cbetter to Dbetter than

    Answer: A. 'd better

    Use ''d better' to tell someone what they should do to avoid a problem. It doesn't need 'to' before the action word (tell). Example: 'You'd better run!'

21. Q21Select the corrected version of: 'You had better to call her immediately.'

    AYou had better to call her immediately. BYou better to call her immediately. CYou had better call her immediately. DYou had better calling her immediately.

    Answer: C. You had better call her immediately.

    'Had better' is followed by the action word without 'to.' So, 'had better call' is correct. Avoid 'had better to call' or 'had better calling.'

22. Q22It's late. I ___ go home now.

    A'd better Bbetter to Cbetter than D'd better to

    Answer: A. 'd better

    Use ''d better' when you need to do something soon to avoid a problem. For example: 'I'd better go.' You don't need the word 'to' between 'better' and 'go.'

23. Q23Choose the correct sentence:

    AHe had better not forgetting his keys BHe'd better not to forget his keys CHe'd better to not forget his keys DHe'd better not forget his keys

    Answer: D. He'd better not forget his keys

    For a negative warning, use ''d better not' plus the simple action word (forget). Avoid adding 'to' or changing the action word to '-ing.'

24. Q24___ we better finish this project today?

    ADid BHad CWould DWere

    Answer: B. Had

    The full phrase is 'had better.' To ask a question, we start with 'Had.' For example: 'Hadn't we better leave?'

25. Q25You ___ touch that wire; it's dangerous.

    A'd better no B'd better not to C'd better not be D'd better not

    Answer: D. 'd better not

    Use ''d better not' for a strong warning. Do not add the word 'to' after 'not.' Example: 'You'd better not touch that!'

26. Q26Choose the correct sentence:

    AWe better to arrive on time BWe'd better to arrive on time CWe had better to arrive on time DWe'd better arrive on time

    Answer: D. We'd better arrive on time

    Use ''d better' followed by the action word. We do not say 'better to arrive' or 'had better to arrive.'

27. Q27The meeting starts in five minutes. You ___ get ready.

    Abetter to B'd better to C'd better Dbetter

    Answer: C. 'd better

    Use ''d better' for advice when something is urgent. It is followed by the basic action word (get).

28. Q28Select the corrected version of: 'We'd better not telling them yet.'

    AWe'd better not telling them yet. BWe'd better not tell them yet. CWe'd better not to tell them yet. DWe'd better not told them yet.

    Answer: B. We'd better not tell them yet.

    After ''d better not,' use the simple action word (tell). Do not use '-ing' (telling) or 'to' (to tell).

29. Q29You ___ leave your passport at home, or you won't be able to travel.

    A'd better not be B'd better not C'd better no D'd better not to

    Answer: B. 'd better not

    Use ''d better not' to warn someone against doing something. For example: 'You'd better not forget your keys.'

30. Q30The baby is sleeping. You ___ make any noise.

    A'd better not to B'd better no C'd better not be D'd better not

    Answer: D. 'd better not

    Use ''d better not' to give a warning. It is followed by the action word (make) without 'to.'

31. Q31You ___ smoke in the hospital.

    Aare not allowed to Bare not allow to Care not suppose to Dnot allowed to

    Answer: A. are not allowed to

    'Are not allowed to' means you do not have permission or it is against the rules. Use 'allowed' with a 'd' and include the word 'to.' Avoid 'are not allow to.'

32. Q32The concert begins in an hour. What time ___ it supposed to end?

    Adid Bdoes Cwas Dis

    Answer: D. is

    We use 'be supposed to' to talk about a schedule. Because the concert begins in an hour and has not yet started, we are asking about a future scheduled event, so we use 'is.' 'Was' would be used only if the event had already ended, but since the concert hasn't even started, 'is' is the correct choice.

33. Q33We ___ park here on Sundays.

    Aare allow to Bare allow Care allowing to Dare allowed to

    Answer: D. are allowed to

    'Are allowed to' means you have permission. You need 'are' + 'allowed' (with a 'd') + 'to.' For example: 'You are allowed to enter.'

34. Q34Choose the correct sentence:

    AYou are not allowed running in the hall BYou not allowed to run in the hall CYou are not allow to run in the hall DYou are not allowed to run in the hall

    Answer: D. You are not allowed to run in the hall

    Use the full phrase 'are not allowed to' followed by the action word. Avoid using '-ing' like 'allowed running' or forgetting the 'd' in 'allow.'

35. Q35I ___ finish this report by Friday.

    Aam suppose Bam suppose to Cam supposed to Dam supposed

    Answer: C. am supposed to

    'Am supposed to' means someone expects you to do something. You must include the 'd' in 'supposed' and the word 'to.' Example: 'I am supposed to work today.'

36. Q36Now that you're in secondary school, ___ you allowed to stay out late on school nights?

    AWere BDo CAre DDid

    Answer: C. Are

    We use 'Are' to ask about a current rule or permission. 'Now that you're in secondary school' anchors the question in the present, so 'Are' is the only correct choice. 'Were' is past tense and would refer to rules that no longer apply. 'Do' and 'Did' are not used with 'allowed to.'

37. Q37Choose the correct sentence:

    AHe suppose to be here at nine BHe is supposed to be here at nine CHe is suppose to be here at nine DHe is supposed be here at nine

    Answer: B. He is supposed to be here at nine

    The correct phrase is 'is supposed to.' It needs the 'd' at the end of 'supposed' and the word 'to' before the action. Avoid 'is suppose to' or 'suppose to.'

38. Q38Visitors ___ enter the restricted area without a pass.

    Aare not allow to Bare not allowing to Care not allowed to Dare not allowed

    Answer: C. are not allowed to

    Use 'are not allowed to' to talk about rules. It needs the 'd' in 'allowed' and the word 'to' before the action. For example: 'You are not allowed to go inside.'

39. Q39Select the corrected version of: 'She is suppose to call us later.'

    AShe is suppose to call us later. BShe is suppose call us later. CShe is supposed to call us later. DShe is supposed call us later.

    Answer: C. She is supposed to call us later.

    The phrase must be 'is supposed to.' Do not forget the 'd' at the end of 'supposed.' Example: 'It is supposed to be cold today.'

40. Q40We are planning to visit the museum tomorrow. ___ taking photos allowed there?

    ADoes BWas CIs DDid

    Answer: C. Is

    The subject of this question is the phrase starting with an -ing verb 'taking photos,' which is singular. 'Is taking photos allowed?' correctly asks about the museum's current rule. 'Was' would be past tense and is not appropriate for a visit planned for tomorrow. 'Does' and 'Did' cannot precede the past tense form 'allowed.'

41. Q41The shop ___ open at 8 AM, but it's closed.

    Ais supposed Bis suppose to Cis suppose Dis supposed to

    Answer: D. is supposed to

    Use 'is supposed to' to talk about a plan or schedule that didn't happen as expected. Remember the 'd' in 'supposed' and the word 'to.'

42. Q42Choose the correct sentence:

    AAre we allowed to bring guests BAre we allow bring guests CAre we allow to bring guests DAre we allowing to bring guests

    Answer: A. Are we allowed to bring guests

    The correct way to ask for permission is 'Are we allowed to...?' You must use 'allowed' with a 'd' and the word 'to.'

43. Q43You ___ tell anyone my secret.

    Aare not suppose to Bare not suppose Care not supposed Dare not supposed to

    Answer: D. are not supposed to

    'Are not supposed to' means you should not do something because of a rule or promise. It needs the 'd' in 'supposed' and the word 'to.'

44. Q44I ___ go to the dentist today.

    Aam supposed Bam supposed to Cam suppose to Dam suppose

    Answer: B. am supposed to

    Use 'am supposed to' when you have an appointment or a duty. Make sure to use 'supposed' (with a 'd') and 'to.'

45. Q45Select the corrected version of: 'They are not allow to enter the building.'

    AThey are not allowed to enter the building. BThey not allowed to enter the building. CThey are not allow to enter the building. DThey are not allowing to enter the building.

    Answer: A. They are not allowed to enter the building.

    The correct phrase is 'are not allowed to.' Always use 'allowed' with a 'd' when you use it with 'are.' Avoid 'not allow to' or 'are not allow to.'