Obligation & Permission
must, have to, should and can — rules, advice and permission are not the same thing.
1. You ___ wear a seatbelt in a car — it’s the law.
2. You ___ see a doctor if the pain continues — it’s good advice.
3. ___ I use your phone, please?
4. Employees ___ wear a uniform at this company — it’s a rule.
5. You ___ smoke in this building — it’s forbidden.
6. You ___ pay for parking on Sundays — it’s free that day.
7. Students ___ hand in their assignments by Friday.
8. You ___ be over 18 to buy alcohol here — it’s the law.
9. ___ I open the window? It’s a bit hot in here.
10. You ___ apologize — it wasn’t your fault, but it would be nice.
Answer key — Obligation & Permission (B2)
- B — must. Must expresses a strong obligation or legal requirement.
- B — should. Should expresses advice, not a strict obligation.
- C — Can. Can is used to ask for permission informally.
- B — have to. Have to expresses an external obligation or rule.
- A — must not. Must not expresses prohibition.
- C — don’t have to. Don’t have to means there is no obligation (but it isn’t forbidden).
- A — have to. Have to expresses an obligation or requirement.
- B — must. Must expresses a legal requirement.
- C — May. May is used to politely ask for permission.
- C — should. Should expresses gentle advice, not obligation.
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