Fill in the blank with the correct modal:
I ________ swim across the river when I was young.
(A) should
(B) ought
(C) may
(D) could
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (D) Only
Could expresses ability in the past. "When I was young" places the ability in the past.
Complete sentence: I could swim across the river when I was young.
(A) should — Incorrect.
- "Should" expresses duty or advice, not ability.
(B) ought — Incorrect.
- "Ought" expresses moral duty and needs "to" (ought to swim).
- It does not express ability.
(C) may — Incorrect.
- "May" expresses permission or possibility in the present, and does not fit "when I was young".
(D) could — Correct.
- Past ability.
Tip: In this question the options do not follow the order of the statements (Option 1 = (A) Only, Option 2 = (D) Only, Option 3 = (C) Only, Option 4 = (B) Only). NTA often jumbles the options in this way, so after finding the correct statement, read the options carefully and mark the one with the right letter.