In the sentence given below, the modal ‘needn’t’ expresses:
The hostel gives every student fresh bedsheets each week, so you needn’t pack any from home.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → a lack of necessity
The clue is “The hostel gives every student fresh bedsheets”. A student may still bring some, but there is no need.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) prohibition | shown by mustn’t | You mustn’t touch the wires in the lab. |
| (2) a lack of courage | shown by daren’t | Raju daren’t tell his father about the broken lamp. |
| (3) certainty that something is not true | shown by can’t | This can’t be the right bus, as it is going towards the airport. |
| (4) a lack of necessity (answer) | needn’t + base verb shows that something is not necessary | You needn’t buy a new bag, as your old one is still good. |