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Modals of Deduction in the Past (must have, might have) – Test 1

B2 Upper-intermediate GrammarEnglish

This B2 grammar test checks how well learners form and use past modals of deduction such as must have, might have, may have, could have and can't have. It covers form, negatives, questions, continuous and passive forms, meaning in context and typical learner errors, and ends with a short reading task. It suits upper-intermediate students preparing for exams or reviewing modal verbs.

Questions
30
Time
30 min
PDF
4 pages
Answer key
Included
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Choose the correct option (A, B, C or D) for each question. Choose your answers, then press “Check my answers”.

Part 1: Form

Choose the correct form to complete each sentence.

  1. Tom isn't answering his phone. He might _____ it at home.

  2. The ground is wet this morning. It must _____ during the night.

  3. Lena can't _____ the email yet. I only sent it two minutes ago.

  4. Choose the correct sentence.

  5. Ahmed _____ the keys. I saw them on the table after he left.

  6. _____ she have misunderstood the instructions?

  7. The office lights were on all night. Someone must _____ late.

  8. The window is broken, but nobody here did it. It might _____ by the wind.

  9. Choose the correct sentence.

  10. Where's Ana? She _____ gone to the shop. Her bag is missing too.

Part 2: Meaning and use

Choose the option that best fits the meaning of the situation.

  1. Jun's eyes are red and he looks exhausted. He _____ slept very well last night.

  2. There's a huge cake on the table and balloons everywhere. They _____ been planning a party.

  3. I'm not sure why Priya was late. She _____ missed the bus, or maybe her alarm didn't go off.

  4. Carlos _____ written this essay by himself. He's only been learning English for a month, and it's perfect.

  5. 'You must have been really nervous before your interview.' What does the speaker mean?

  6. 'Maria might have taken the wrong road.' Which sentence has the same meaning?

  7. 'He can't have heard the news.' This means:

  8. Luckily you're fine, but you _____ been badly hurt when you climbed onto the roof without a ladder.

  9. A: I called Jamal three times last night, but he didn't answer. B: _____

  10. When we arrived at 8 p.m. on Saturday, its busiest night, the restaurant was completely empty. It _____ very popular.

Part 3: Find the error

Each sentence contains one mistake. Choose the part of the sentence that is wrong.

  1. Ellen must have went to bed early last night, because her light was off at nine.

  2. They might of taken a taxi home after the party.

  3. He started the report an hour ago, so he can't has finished it already.

  4. Sara didn't look shocked at all, so she must have been knowing about the surprise.

  5. Someone must have been stolen my bike while I was in the library.

Part 4: Reading and deduction

Read the text. Then choose the best option to complete each sentence or answer each question.

When Mei got home from work on Friday, she knew immediately that something was different. The front door was unlocked, although she was certain she had locked it that morning. In the kitchen, there were two dirty cups in the sink and a plate with a few crumbs on it. Her cat, Biscuit, was asleep on the sofa and didn't seem worried at all.

Mei checked the living room. Her laptop and her jewellery were exactly where she had left them, so it was clear that nothing valuable was missing. Then she noticed a small bag on the table. Inside was a jar of homemade jam and a card that said "Thanks for the spare key!" in her brother's handwriting.

Mei smiled. Her brother, Daniel, lived two hours away, and she hadn't seen him for months. She remembered giving him a key at New Year, but she had completely forgotten about it. She tried to call him, but his phone went straight to voicemail. She decided he was probably already on his way home.

  1. Mei had locked the door, but it was unlocked when she came home. Someone with a key _____ opened it.

  2. Nothing valuable was missing, so a burglar _____ been in the flat.

  3. There were two dirty cups in the sink. Daniel _____ come with another person.

  4. Mei had completely forgotten about the key, so she _____ been surprised when she read the card.

  5. Daniel's phone went straight to voicemail. Which deduction is most logical according to the text?

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About this test

This B2 grammar test checks how well learners form and use past modals of deduction such as must have, might have, may have, could have and can't have. It covers form, negatives, questions, continuous and passive forms, meaning in context and typical learner errors, and ends with a short reading task. It suits upper-intermediate students preparing for exams or reviewing modal verbs.

Topics covered

Modals of deductionmust have + past participlemight / may / could havecan't / couldn't havePast continuous and passive modalsCommon learner errors

How to use this test

  1. Download the PDF and print it, or take the test online below.
  2. Answer every question without a dictionary or time pressure.
  3. Check your answers and note the topics you need to review.

Notes for teachers

Use Part 1 to check form before moving on to meaning in Parts 2 and 4. The test targets frequent errors such as using the past simple instead of the past participle (must have went), writing 'might of', using stative verbs in the continuous (must have been knowing) and confusing past deduction with present deduction or obligation. As a follow-up, give students short 'mystery' situations and ask them to make their own deductions with must have, might have and can't have.