Fill in the blank with the correct modal.
He ________ be at home. His car is not in the parking area.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → can't
Complete sentence: He can’t be at home. His car is not in the parking area. The speaker sees a fact: “His car is not in the parking area.” From this he is sure the man is away.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) can't (answer) | the facts make us sure that something is not possible, a sure guess that it is not true | Meera can’t be asleep, as her light is still on. |
| (2) mustn't | not allowed. It would forbid him to be at home. That does not fit the clue about the car. | You mustn’t use your phone in the exam hall. |
| (3) shouldn’t | advice against something. The speaker is not advising the man. He is drawing a conclusion. | You shouldn’t eat so much fried food. |
| (4) needn't | not necessary. Whether he needs to be at home is not the point here. | You needn’t bring lunch, as food will be served. |