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Difficulty: MediumModal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

Which modal auxiliary verb phrase correctly completes the sentence below to express a past unfulfilled obligation?

Answer:Before the unexpected inspection took place, the safety officer realized that the maintenance team 【should have tested】 the emergency backup generators.

Answer

should have tested (or ought to have tested)
The modal phrase 'should have tested' (or 'ought to have tested') correctly conveys that testing the generators was a past obligation that was not fulfilled before the inspection occurred.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and intended modality of the sentence.
The context describes a past action that was desirable or required but was not actually performed prior to the inspection.
Expressing a past obligation or sensible action that was neglected requires a perfect modal structure.
2
Formulate the correct modal auxiliary structure.
Use 'should have' or 'ought to have' followed by the past participle 'tested'.
The pattern 'should + have + past participle' specifically expresses past unfulfilled duty or regret.

Key Concept

Expressing Past Unfulfilled Obligation with Perfect Modals
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Modal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

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