Fill in the blank with the appropriate Modal. He is afraid to speak,…

The correct answer is Option (1) → (D) Only

The conjunction lest means "for fear that", "so that ... not". In formal English it is followed by should + base verb (or by the base verb alone). The man is afraid to speak for fear that he will be laughed at: "lest he should be laughed at".

Complete sentence: He is afraid to speak, lest he should be laughed at.

(A) ought — Incorrect.

• Ought is followed by "to" (ought to) and expresses moral duty.
• "Lest he ought be laughed at" is ungrammatical.

(B) might — Incorrect.

• "Might" expresses a weak possibility.
• The rule after "lest" is should.

(C) can — Incorrect.

• Can expresses ability.
• It does not express the fear that "lest" introduces.

(D) should — Correct.

• "Lest ... should" is the standard pattern.

Tip: In this question the options do not follow the order of the statements (Option 1 = (D) Only, Option 2 = (A) Only, Option 3 = (B) Only, Option 4 = (C) 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.