Select the most appropriate modal to complete the sentence:
There ______ be a big guava orchard behind our school, but now a shopping mall stands there.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → used to
Complete sentence: There used to be a big guava orchard behind our school, but now a shopping mall stands there. The words “but now a shopping mall stands there” show that the orchard is gone.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) would | a repeated action in the past, but never a past state like being or having | On rainy days, we would float paper boats in the lane. |
| (2) must | a strong guess or duty about the present | This must be the new library. |
| (3) use to | used only after “did” or “didn’t” | Did you use to walk to school? |
| (4) used to (answer) | used to + base verb (the simple form, like go or eat): a past habit or state that is no longer true | Nana used to live in a small village near Kanpur. |