Fill in the blank with an appropriate Modal:
______ you like a cup of tea?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → would
Complete sentence: Would you like a cup of tea? "Like" here means "want", and "would" softens the question.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) would (answer) | Would you like ...? is the fixed polite form for offering something or inviting someone. | Would you like to join us for dinner? |
| (2) shall | Shall in questions is used with I and we to offer or suggest (Shall I make some tea?). "Shall you like" is not used. | Shall we go for a walk? |
| (3) could | Could makes polite requests for an action (Could you pass the salt?). "Could you like" makes no sense, since liking is not an action one can be asked to do. | Could you help me with this bag? |
| (4) may | May asks permission for the speaker (May I come in?) or expresses a wish (May you live long!). "May you like a cup of tea?" is not an offer. | May I borrow your pen? |