Select the most appropriate modal to complete the sentence:
At the railway canteen in Vijayawada, Mr Rao said to the boy at the counter, “I ______ two plates of idli and a cup of coffee, please.”
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → would like
Complete sentence: At the railway canteen in Vijayawada, Mr Rao said to the boy at the counter, “I would like two plates of idli and a cup of coffee, please.” Mr Rao is ordering food and adds “please”.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) would rather | a preference; followed by a base verb (the simple form, like go or eat), not a noun | I would rather eat at home tonight. |
| (2) would like (answer) | a polite way to say what we want; it can be followed by a noun | I would like a window seat, please. |
| (3) will like | what someone is sure to enjoy later; not used to ask for something | You will like the new library. |
| (4) had better | strong advice or a warning; followed by a base verb | You had better carry a sweater to Manali. |