English Exercises: Modals, Past Habits & Pollution Facts

Posted on Jan 13, 2026 in English

Part I — Dialogue: Movie Plans

  1. Hi, Leo! Do you want to go to the movies this weekend?
  2. Sure! What movie are you planning to watch?
  3. I’m thinking about seeing Zootopia 2.
  4. Yes! I’ve been waiting to see Zootopia 2!
  5. Awesome! What time does it begin?
  6. Great! The movie starts at 6:45 p.m.
  7. Perfect. Let’s meet at the mall theater at 6:30.
  8. Okay — see you at 6:30 p.m.
  9. See you there!

Part II — Plastic Pollution: True / False

V = True, F = False

  1. V Millions of tons of plastic end up in oceans and rivers every year.
  2. V Sea animals sometimes eat plastic because they think it is food.
  3. F Plastic disappears from the environment in only a few years.
  4. V Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic.
  5. F Scientists have never found microplastics in humans.
  6. F Single-use plastics are used many times before being thrown away.
  7. V Only a small amount of plastic is actually recycled.
  8. V Some countries have banned or limited plastic bags.
  9. F People cannot help reduce plastic pollution.
  10. V Cleaning beaches and rivers can help the environment.

Completar la Información

  1. Pollution and waste harm sea animals like turtles, fish, and seabirds.
  2. Microplastics can be spread in water, sand, soil, and even in the air.
  3. The Panama recycling symbol means: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Part III — Past Habits: “Used to”

  • I used to wake up early for school.
  • I used to walk to school every morning.
  • I used to play soccer after classes.
  • I used to spend hours playing video games.
  • I used to read comic books before sleeping.

Part IV — Modal Verbs: Fill in / Correct Sentences

(Each item shows the corrected sentence with the suggested modal.)

  1. Sophia should call her mother soon. (advise — should)
  2. Oh sir, could you help me with these heavy boxes? (polite request — could)
  3. Karen has tooth problems, so she should go to the dentist. (advice — should)
  4. When Paul was 10 years old, he was able to climb up tall trees. (past ability — was able to)
  5. My friend isn’t at the university. He may be very busy at home. (logical conclusion — may)
  6. They haven’t paid their phone bill. They have to pay it tomorrow. (weak obligation — have to)
  7. During this month people should drive carefully; they must follow the rules while driving. (advice / strong obligation — should / must)
  8. My cousin is not able to ride his bike in the rain. (lack of ability — is not able to)
  9. They sold their car. They are going to buy a new one soon. (future action — are going to)
  10. My brothers would like to take a vacation at the beach this coming summer. (desire — would like)
  11. May we use our classroom to do our project? (permission — may)
  12. You shouldn’t smoke in the classroom. (prohibition — shouldn’t)
  13. When you drive, you mustn’t drink beer or alcohol. (legal prohibition — mustn’t)
  14. We can go to the concert at the mall next week. (possibility — can)

Part V — Modal Verbs: Usage and Examples

  1. In Panama, we mustn’t use a cell phone or drink alcohol while driving. (strong prohibition / legal rule)
  2. Smoking can cause cancer, so I think you should stop! (possibility / advice)
  3. He has been working all day, so he must be tired. (logical conclusion / certainty)
  4. They have to see a doctor about his headaches. (personal obligation)
  5. He should see a doctor about his headaches. (advice)
  6. He is not at work today, so he might be sick. (logical conclusion)
  7. Please, could you help me carry this heavy box? (polite request)
  8. We have enough tomatoes, so you needn’t buy any more. (lack of necessity)
  9. I can speak English fluently. (ability)
  10. They used to / could play basketball when they were children. (past ability)
  11. The student should study hard during the semester to have a good grade. (weak obligation)
  12. The students must study hard during the semester to have a good grade. (strong obligation)

Part VI — Expressions: Need, Would Like, Have To, Like To

  1. (Need to) I need to finish my final project before Friday.
  2. (Would like) I would like to travel to the United States next year.
  3. (Have to) I have to study for the English exam tonight.
  4. (Like to) I like to spend my free time watching movies.

Part VII — Sentence Reordering: Corrected Sentences

  1. Original: “On November 5^th at the farm had My best friend an amazing party.”
    Corrected: My best friend had an amazing party at the farm on November 5th.
  2. Original: “At 6:20 am a bath We every day take.”
    Corrected: We take a bath every day at 6:20 a.m.
  3. Original: “their Grand parents My cousins to visit in the city during the week take a break.”
    Corrected: My cousins take a break during the week to visit their grandparents in the city.
  4. Original: “2026 to go an appointment I to the doctor make on January 6^th”
    Corrected: I make an appointment to go to the doctor on January 6th, 2026.
  5. Original: “always do People right things must.”
    Corrected: People must always do the right things.
  6. Original: “A favor Could don’t I do you have me money ; ? Could you do me a favor? I don’t have money. Could you do me a favor? Do you have money?”
    Corrected and clarified:
    • Could you do me a favor? I don’t have money.
    • Do you have money?
  7. Original: “A long nap When at home this test finish will We take we ;”
    Corrected: When we finish this test, we will take a long nap at home.

Exercises include dialogue practice, true/false statements about pollution, modal verb usage, past habits, and sentence reordering.