Fill in the blank with the most appropriate modal:
Kabir wanted to watch the Dussehra fireworks from the terrace. He asked his father politely, “______ I stay up till eleven tonight?”
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → May
Complete sentence: Kabir wanted to watch the Dussehra fireworks from the terrace. He asked his father politely, “May I stay up till eleven tonight?” Kabir asks his father politely to be allowed to stay up late.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Must | “Must I ...?” asks whether something is necessary | Must I finish all the sums tonight? |
| (2) Need | “Need I ...?” also asks whether something is necessary | Need I show my ID card at the gate? |
| (3) May (answer) | “May I ...?”: a polite way to ask for permission | May I leave the class early today, Ma’am? |
| (4) Ought | always followed by to | You ought to visit your grandparents more often. |