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Question

Difficulty: MediumModal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the appropriate modal verb phrase that expresses past advisability or unfulfilled duty.

Answer:Although the preliminary findings were well received by the panel, the research team 【should have】 verified the baseline measurements before publishing the report.

Answer

The correct completion is 'should have' or 'ought to have'.
The verb phrases 'should have' and 'ought to have' indicate past advisability or a duty that was not carried out. In this context, verifying the measurements was sensible and recommended, but the team failed to do so prior to publication.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and temporal frame.
The sentence refers to a past situation where an advisable action (verifying baseline measurements) was omitted before publishing.
The contrasting conjunction 'Although' highlights a failure to execute a necessary past step despite positive reception.
2
Select the modal auxiliary structure that conveys past unfulfilled duty or recommendation.
The modal structure 'should / ought to + have + past participle' accurately expresses an action that was desirable in the past but was not performed.
Perfect modal constructions ('have + past participle') are required when evaluating completed past actions.

Key Concept

Modal Auxiliaries for Past Advisability and Unfulfilled Duty
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Topics

Modal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

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