Complete the following story with modal verbs in the box given below by using the clues from the functions given within brackets.
An old man, known for his wisdom, lived in a small village. One day, a young boy asked him, 'How 1. ____ (ability) I become wise like you?' The old man smiled and said, 'Wisdom 2.____ (necessity) be earned through patience. You 3. ____ (suggestion) listen, more than you speak.' The boy thought for a while and replied, 'It 4. ____ (weak possibility) take years, but I'll try.' The old man nodded. 'You 5.____ (obligation) learn from your mistakes too. Wisdom 6. ____ (possibility) come slowly, but it always arrives for those who seek it.' The boy knew he 7. ____ (ability) become wise if he followed the old man's advice.
How ____ (ability) I become wise like you?
can
Wisdom ____ (necessity) be earned through patience.
must
You ____ (suggestion) listen, more than you speak.
should
It ____ (weak possibility) take years, but I'll try.
might
You ____ (obligation) learn from your mistakes too.
need to
Wisdom ____ (possibility) come slowly, but it always arrives for those who seek it.
may
The boy knew he ____ (ability) become wise if he followed the old man's advice.
could
Explanation
(1) 'Can' is used to express ability. The boy is asking about his ability to become wise. (2) 'Must' expresses necessity or strong obligation. Wisdom necessarily requires patience to acquire. (3) 'Should' is used to give advice or make suggestions. The old man is advising the boy to listen more. (4) 'Might' expresses a weak or remote possibility. The boy acknowledges it might take a long time. (5) 'Need to' expresses obligation or necessity. The old man is telling the boy that learning from mistakes is necessary. (6) 'May' expresses possibility. Wisdom may come slowly, indicating it is possible but not certain. (7) 'Could' expresses ability in the past tense. The boy knew he had the ability to become wise.