Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.

🎁✨ Grammar & Vocabulary Lesson

May, Might, Could, Must, and Can't for Guessing

Learn how to make strong guesses and smart predictions about magic tricks, quizzes, and everyday surprises!

💡 How to use this lesson

👨‍🏫 For Teachers

Use this 12-minute lesson to teach modal verbs for guessing. Check answers together with your students after they finish all 12 practice activities.

🎓 For Learners

Read the 4 easy rule cards first and look closely at the underlined words. Then complete the 12 fun practice activities below to test your skills!

📜

Grammar Rules: How to Guess

Rule 1: Not Sure (Possibility) may / might / could + base verb

Use may, might, or could with a plain verb to guess when you are not sure. Never add -s and never put to after them.

⚠️

Watch out: Say "It might snow". NEVER say "It mights snow" or "It might to snow".

📌 Example 1: My sister may be at the park.

📌 Example 2: The magician might hide a coin in his magic sleeve.

Rule 2: "may be" vs "maybe" Two words vs One word

May be (two words) is a verb inside the sentence. Maybe (one word) means perhaps and usually starts the sentence.

✅ Two words (Verb):

It may be a secret trick.

✅ One word (Starts sentence):

Maybe the box is empty.

Avoid mistake: Never say ❌ "It maybe a trick." You must use two words for the verb!

Rule 3: Strong Guesses (Almost Sure) must vs can't vs might not

Use must when you are almost sure something is TRUE. Use can't when you are almost sure it is NOT true. Use might not when it is only possible that it is NOT true.

📌 Almost sure TRUE: Tom must be hungry after the long game.

📌 Almost sure NOT TRUE: He can't be at home because all stage lights are off.

📌 Only possible NOT: She might not believe the magic trick.

Rule 4: Questions about Possibility Could + Subject + Verb?

To ask about a possibility, put could before the subject. Answer with "Yes, it could" or "Yes, it might".

📌 Question: Could the prize be in this bag?

📌 Question: Could the quiz be easy for us?

Avoid mistake: Never say ❌ "Could it to be?" Always use the plain base verb!

🎯

Practice Exercises

12 Interactive Questions

Test your knowledge! Look for the sureness clues like [not sure] or [almost sure true] to pick the exact right word.

1 Choose correct sentence [not sure]

Which sentence correctly describes the surprise box?

____ a. It might be a magic card inside. ____ b. It mights be a magic card inside.

Hint: (guess)

2 Choose correct sentence [not sure]

Which sentence about the magic quiz is correct?

____ a. It maybe an easy quiz. ____ b. Maybe the quiz is easy.

Hint: (perhaps)

3 Choose correct question [question]

Which question form is grammatically correct?

____ a. Could the prize be inside? ____ b. Could the prize to be inside?

Hint: (possibility)

4 Rewrite the sentence [not sure]

Rewrite the sentence using may and the verb (be):

"Perhaps the magic wand is in his bag."

The magic wand ____ in his bag.

Hint: (not sure)

5 Rewrite the sentence [almost sure TRUE]

Rewrite the sentence using must and the verb (be):

"I am almost sure that the magician is very clever."

The magician ____ very clever.

Hint: (certain)

6 Rewrite the sentence [almost sure FALSE]

Rewrite the sentence using can't and the verb (be):

"I am almost sure that this answer is not right."

This answer ____ right.

Hint: (impossible)

7 Fill the gap [not sure]

I wonder what is under the black cloth. It ______ a toy mouse!

____ a. must be ____ b. will be ____ c. might be

Hint: (wonder)

8 Fill the gap [almost sure TRUE]

Look at all those trophies! She ______ be the winner of the magic quiz.

____ a. might not ____ b. must ____ c. can't

Hint: (trophies)

9 Fill the gap [almost sure FALSE]

He has no coins in his hands. He ______ do the coin trick now!

____ a. can't ____ b. might ____ c. must

Hint: (no coins)

10 Choose question word [question]

______ this old sleeve hold a hidden card?

____ a. Must ____ b. Can't ____ c. Could

Hint: (ask possibility)

11 Correct the message error [not sure]

💬 Message from Sam

"I am watching a magic show! The performer is amazing. He maying be a real wizard!"

Correct the error maying be to: ____

Hint: (base form)

12 Correct the message error [almost sure TRUE]

💬 Reply from Ben

"That is cool! It musts be a great show."

Correct the error musts to: ____

Hint: (no -s)

Grammar: May, Might, Could, Must, and Can't

May, Might, Could, Must, and Can't for Guessing

💡 How to use this lesson

Grammar Rules: How to Guess

Practice Exercises

Related lessons

Reading: The Königsberg Bridge Puzzle

IELTS Speaking: Guessing Games and Surprises

Vocabulary: Guessing Games and Surprises

Writing: Guessing Games and Surprises

Past Simple: Regular and Irregular Verbs

Must, Mustn't and Have To