Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries — Class 9 MCQs with Answers
Class 9 CBSE English · Chapter 21
60 practice questions · 20 Easy · 20 Medium · 20 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 9 CBSE English questions from Chapter 21, "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 60 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams apart.
To score well in "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries", focus on comprehension, grammar and writing skills. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 9 English mastery score. 12 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries (Class 9 English)
Modal auxiliaries — can, could, may, might, must, should, shall, would — carry meaning rather than tense. Each question in this chapter tests which FUNCTION a modal performs: ability, permission, obligation, advice, possibility, deduction, request, offer or suggestion.
- Ability
- 'Can' for present ability ('I CAN speak three languages'; 'Birds CAN fly'); 'could' for past ability ('She COULD swim when she was five').
- Permission
- 'May' asks for and grants polite permission: 'MAY I come in, sir?'; 'You MAY go now, the class is over.' 'May' can also grant permission with a condition.
- Strong obligation
- 'Must' expresses necessity or a rule: 'Students MUST wear the school uniform'; 'Passengers MUST fasten their seat belts.'
- Prohibition
- 'Must not' forbids: 'You MUST NOT tell lies.' Note that this is stronger than 'should not', which only advises against.
Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 9 English)
12 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 48 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
'She ___ swim when she was five.'
A.mustB.canC.mayD.could✓ CorrectAnswer: D. could
Explanation: 'could' expresses past ability.
- Q2Easy
'You ___ respect your elders.'
A.mightB.should✓ CorrectC.wouldD.couldAnswer: B. should
Explanation: 'should' expresses advice/duty.
- Q3Easy
'It ___ rain later; take an umbrella.'
A.wouldB.might✓ CorrectC.mustD.shouldAnswer: B. might
Explanation: 'might' expresses possibility.
- Q4Easy
'___ you help me with this bag?'
A.Could✓ CorrectB.MightC.ShouldD.MustAnswer: A. Could
Explanation: 'Could you...' makes a polite request.
- Q5Easy
'___ I come in, sir?'
A.ShouldB.MustC.May✓ CorrectD.WouldAnswer: C. May
Explanation: 'May' asks for polite permission.
- Q6Medium
'She ___ not attend the meeting yesterday as she was ill.'
A.mayB.mustC.could✓ CorrectD.canAnswer: C. could
Explanation: 'could not' = past inability.
- Q7Medium
'You ___ have told me earlier; now it's too late.'
A.mayB.should✓ CorrectC.mustD.canAnswer: B. should
Explanation: 'should have + past participle' expresses past advice/regret.
- Q8Medium
'He isn't answering; he ___ be sleeping.'
A.wouldB.shouldC.shallD.must✓ CorrectAnswer: D. must
Explanation: 'must be' = a confident present deduction.
- Q9Medium
'___ we go for a walk? It's a lovely evening.'
A.MightB.MustC.Shall✓ CorrectD.WouldAnswer: C. Shall
Explanation: 'Shall we...' makes a suggestion.
- Q10Hard
Choose the sentence expressing NO ability in the past.
A.She couldn't solve the puzzle.✓ CorrectB.She managed to solve the puzzle.C.She was able to solve the puzzle.D.She could solve the puzzle.Answer: A. She couldn't solve the puzzle.
Explanation: 'couldn't solve' = was not able to (no past ability).
- Q11Hard
Which sentence expresses past regret correctly?
A.I ought study harder yesterday.B.I must have study harder.C.I should study harder for the exam yesterday.D.I should have studied harder for the exam.✓ CorrectAnswer: D. I should have studied harder for the exam.
Explanation: 'should have + past participle' expresses past regret about what was not done.
- Q12Hard
'The ground is wet. It ___ during the night.'
A.should rainB.must rainC.must have rained✓ CorrectD.can rainAnswer: C. must have rained
Explanation: 'must have rained' — a strong deduction about a completed past action.
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Start this chapter free →Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 9 English Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries?+
Modal auxiliaries — can, could, may, might, must, should, shall, would — carry meaning rather than tense. Each question in this chapter tests which FUNCTION a modal performs: ability, permission, obligation, advice, possibility, deduction, request, offer or suggestion. Key ideas include Ability, Permission, Strong obligation, Prohibition.
What does Class 9 English Chapter 21 (Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 60 NCERT-based MCQs on "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries": 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 12 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries (Class 9 English)?+
The questions that matter most test Ability, Permission, Strong obligation, Prohibition. This page shows 12 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 60 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries?+
Yes — Class 9 English Grammar: Modal Auxiliaries has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.