In the sentence given below, the modal ‘must’ expresses:
I must reach the hostel gate before nine tonight, or the warden will lock me out.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → necessity or duty
The clue is “or the warden will lock me out”. Reaching the gate by nine is necessary.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) a strong guess | a guess about a fact; here the speaker is not guessing but talks about something that has to be done | Kiran keeps looking at the clock, so he must be in a hurry. |
| (2) prohibition | needs must not; this sentence is positive | Patients must not eat anything before the blood test. |
| (3) strong advice | advice is given to another person; here the speaker talks about their own action | You must see the Ajanta caves when you visit Aurangabad. |
| (4) necessity or duty (answer) | must shows that the speaker has to do something; there is no other choice | I must catch the six o’clock bus, or I will be late for the exam. |