Modals For Asking Permissions Practice (A2-B1) - English Grammar Quiz

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: A2, B1 📚 Type: Grammar ⭐ XP: up to +15 (on pass)

Use this 15-question quiz to find your weak spots in Modals For Asking Permissions. At Level A2-B1, every question targets a specific sub-topic with a clear explanation. Your score tells you what you know; the explanations show you what to study next.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: ___ I use your phone for a minute? I need to call my mum.

Question 1 options
'Can' is correct because it is the standard informal modal verb used to ask for permission in casual, everyday situations. 'Must' expresses obligation, 'should' expresses advice, and 'will' expresses future intention — none of these ask for permission.
Q2 15

Question 2: The student raised his hand and said, '___ I ask a question, please?' to the teacher.

Question 2 options
'May' is correct because it is the most formal modal verb for asking permission, appropriate when a student speaks to a teacher. 'Can' is informal, 'shall' is used for offers or suggestions, and 'would' is not used to ask for permission.
Q3 15

Question 3: 'Could I open the window?' is a more polite way to ask for permission than 'Can I open the window?'

Question 3 options
True because 'could' is a more polite and formal modal than 'can' when asking for permission. Even though 'could' is the past tense of 'can,' when used for permission requests it does not carry a past meaning — it simply adds politeness.
Q4 15

Question 4: A person says 'Can I sit here?' to a stranger on a bus. What does this sentence express?

Question 4 options
'Can' in this context expresses a request for permission in a neutral, everyday situation. It is not a command, a future plan, or an expression of ability in this context.
Q5 15

Question 5: Arrange the words to make a correct sentence:

Question 5 options
  • I
  • Could
  • please borrow
  • your dictionary
  • ?

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The correct order is 'Could I please borrow your dictionary?' because modal verbs come before the subject pronoun in permission questions, and 'please' follows the subject to add politeness.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence correctly asks for permission?

Question 6 options
'May I leave the room for a moment?' is correct because 'may' is properly used before the subject pronoun 'I' to form a polite permission question. The other options either use the wrong word order or a modal that does not ask for permission.
Q7 15

Question 7: Manager: 'This is a formal meeting room.' Employee: '___ I bring my coffee in here, or should I leave it outside?'

Question 7 options
'Could' is correct because the employee is in a formal work setting and needs to ask politely for permission. 'Can' is too informal for this professional context, 'shall' is used for offers, and 'will' does not ask for permission.
Q8 15

Question 8: Which sentence correctly uses 'may' to ask for permission (not 'can')?

Question 8 options
'May we take a short break?' correctly uses 'may' for a polite, formal permission request. The other options use 'may' to express possibility or likelihood, not permission.
Q9 15

Question 9: Put the words in the correct order:

Question 9 options
  • come in
  • , please?
  • I
  • May

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The correct order is 'May I come in, please?' because in permission questions, the modal verb 'may' comes first, followed by the subject 'I,' then the main verb phrase, with 'please' at the end for politeness.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are at a friend's house and want to use their laptop. The best and most natural way to ask is: '___ I use your laptop?'

Question 10 options
'Can' is the best choice because you are in an informal, friendly setting among people you know well. 'Might' is extremely formal and rare, 'should' expresses advice not permission, and 'will' expresses future intention.
Q11 15

Question 11: Which statement about using modal verbs for asking permission is true?

Question 11 options
'Could' is more polite than 'can' when asking for permission, making it suitable for formal or respectful situations. 'May' is not only for yes/no answers — it is used for polite requests. 'Can' is not wrong but is less formal. 'Might' is not the most common choice for everyday permission requests.
Q12 15

Question 12: Rewrite this sentence more formally: 'Can I see your passport?' → '___ I see your passport?'

Question 12 options
'May' correctly transforms the informal request into a formal one. 'Could' would also add politeness but 'may' is the most formal option listed. 'Should' expresses advice and 'must' expresses obligation — neither asks for permission.
Q13 15

Question 13: Match each sentence to the correct grammar label.

Question 13 options
Can I borrow your pen?
Could I please use your phone?
May I enter the office?
Might I ask you something?
Polite permission request
Formal permission request
Informal permission request
Very formal or hesitant permission request

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

'Can' is used for informal permission, 'could' for polite permission, 'may' for formal permission, and 'might' for very formal or hesitant permission requests.
Q14 15

Question 14: When 'could' is used to ask for permission (e.g. 'Could I leave early?'), it refers to a past action.

Question 14 options
False because although 'could' is the past tense form of 'can,' when it is used to ask for permission it does NOT carry a past meaning. It simply makes the request more polite than 'can.'
Q15 15

Question 15: A job applicant wants to ask the interviewer if it is acceptable to take notes during the interview. Which sentence is the most appropriate choice?

Question 15 options
'May I take notes during the interview?' is the most appropriate because 'may' is the most formal and respectful modal for permission, which fits the professional interview context. 'Can I' is too informal, 'Can you' asks the interviewer to do something, and 'Could you' also asks the interviewer to act rather than giving the speaker permission.