Success Homeschool

Year 9 English · Modality and word choice

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. Which word has the highest modality?
- ☐ (a) might
- ☐ (b) should
- ☐ (c) must
- ☐ (d) could
2. Which word expresses medium modality?
- ☐ (a) definitely
- ☐ (b) should
- ☐ (c) possibly
- ☐ (d) never
3. What is the modal verb in this sentence? 'You might find the answer in chapter two.'
4. Why do scientists often write 'the results suggest this may…' rather than 'this proves…'?
- ☐ (a) Because they are unsure how to spell 'proves'
- ☐ (b) To be cautious and accurate, since evidence is rarely complete
- ☐ (c) To make the report longer
- ☐ (d) Because high modality is not allowed in English
5. Which request sounds the most polite?
- ☐ (a) Pass the salt.
- ☐ (b) You must pass the salt.
- ☐ (c) Could you please pass the salt?
- ☐ (d) Pass the salt now.
6. Is the word 'possibly' high, medium or low modality? (one word)
7. Which version of the sentence has the highest modality?
- ☐ (a) Students may bring a water bottle.
- ☐ (b) Students could bring a water bottle.
- ☐ (c) Students must bring a water bottle.
- ☐ (d) Students might bring a water bottle.
8. A speaker says, 'We will win this fight, and we will never give up.' What is the main effect of the high modality?
- ☐ (a) It makes the speaker sound unsure.
- ☐ (b) It makes the speaker sound confident and determined, inspiring the audience.
- ☐ (c) It makes the speech more polite.
- ☐ (d) It hides who is speaking.

Answer sheet

1. must — 'Must' expresses strong obligation or certainty.
2. should — 'Should' sits in the middle: an expectation rather than a certainty.
3. might — 'Might' is a low-modality modal verb expressing possibility.
4. To be cautious and accurate, since evidence is rarely complete — Lower modality (hedging) avoids overstating what the evidence shows.
5. Could you please pass the salt? — Low modality ('could') and 'please' soften the request.
6. low — 'Possibly' suggests something is only a possibility.
7. Students must bring a water bottle. — 'Must' turns the sentence into a firm requirement.
8. It makes the speaker sound confident and determined, inspiring the audience. — 'Will' and 'never' express certainty, creating a determined, rousing tone.