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Have To, Must and Should – Obligation and Advice in English (A2)

Exercises:

Choose the correct modal. Think about whether the sentence expresses obligation, advice, or prohibition. (e.g., You ___ eat more vegetables. It is good for you. → should)

EXAMPLE: Visitors must sign in at reception before entering the building. It is the security policy.

You look really stressed. I think you take a few days off work and relax.

You use your phone while driving. It is extremely dangerous and illegal.

The dress code is smart casual. You wear a suit, but please avoid jeans.

In the UK, children attend school until they are 16 years old. It is the law.

You eat so much junk food. It is not good for your health in the long term.

I finish this report by Friday. My manager needs it for the client meeting.

The meeting is optional. You attend if you are busy with other work.

You see that new documentary about the ocean. It is absolutely stunning. I loved every minute.

Guests bring outside food or drink into the cinema. It is clearly stated on the website.

10.

She work on Mondays. Her contract is only four days a week.

▸Answer key

Practice Questions & Answers

All A2 questions for “Have To, Must and Should – Obligation and Advice in English (A2)”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

Exercise 1: Have To, Must or Should? – Fill in the Gap

1. Visitors _____ sign in at reception before entering the building. It is the security policy.
- A. must ✓
- B. should
- C. do not have to
Answer: must
An official rule being announced. Must is used for rules and obligations from authority.
2. You look really stressed. I think you _____ take a few days off work and relax.
- A. should ✓
- B. must
- C. have to
Answer: should
'I think you should...' is the classic advice pattern. Should is weaker than must - it is a recommendation, not an order.

More A2 English Practice

Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.

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Pizza, Sushi and Tacos: The World on Your Plate – A2 Reading Exercises

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Modal Verb

1. The sign at the entrance says: 'All staff ___ wear an ID badge at all times.'
- A. must ✓
- B. should
- C. do not have to
- D. might
Answer: must
An official rule on a sign uses must for strong obligation.
2. It is a free event. You ___ buy a ticket. Just turn up on the day.
- A. do not have to ✓
- B. must not
- C. should not
- D. have to
Answer: do not have to
Do not have to = no obligation. A ticket is not necessary but you are welcome to come.
3. You ___ touch the exhibits in the museum. It clearly says so on every sign.
- A. must not ✓
- B. do not have to
- C. should
- D. have to
Answer: must not
Must not = prohibition. Touching the exhibits is forbidden.
4. A: I have a terrible headache. B: You ___ drink more water. You are probably dehydrated.
- A. should ✓
- B. must
- C. have to
- D. must not
Answer: should
Should for giving friendly advice. It is a suggestion, not a rule.
5. Passengers ___ show a valid ticket before boarding. No exceptions.
- A. must ✓
- B. should
- C. do not have to
- D. must not
Answer: must
Must for an official rule or requirement with no exceptions.
6. You ___ rush. We have plenty of time before the train leaves.
- A. do not have to ✓
- B. must not
- C. should not
- D. have to
Answer: do not have to
Do not have to = no necessity. Rushing is not needed, but it is not forbidden.
7. I think you ___ apologise to her. What you said was quite rude.
- A. should ✓
- B. must
- C. do not have to
- D. must not
Answer: should
'I think you should' is the standard pattern for giving personal advice.
8. In many countries, you ___ carry your passport with you at all times. It is required by law.
- A. have to ✓
- B. should
- C. must not
- D. do not have to
Answer: have to
Have to for a legal obligation coming from outside - the law requires it.
9. Employees ___ share their passwords with anyone. It is a serious security risk.
- A. must not ✓
- B. do not have to
- C. should
- D. have to
Answer: must not
Must not = prohibition. Sharing passwords is strictly forbidden.
10. Admission to the gallery is free, so you ___ pay anything to get in.
- A. do not have to ✓
- B. must not
- C. should not
- D. have to
Answer: do not have to
Do not have to = not necessary. Payment is not required because it is free.

Exercise 5: Speaking Practice – Rules, Obligations and Advice

1. You are an English conversation tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A2 student. The grammar focus is: (1) have to for external obligations from rules, laws, or other people, (2) must for personal obligations or strong recommendations from the speaker, (3) should for advice and recommendations (weaker than must), (4) must not = prohibition - forbidden, (5) do not have to = no obligation - not necessary but allowed. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer before continuing. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Tell me three rules from your workplace, school, or country using have to or must.' (target: In my country, you have to vote when you are 18. At my job, I have to wear a uniform. We must not use our phones in meetings.) 2. 'Give me three pieces of advice for someone who wants to learn English well. Use should.' (target: You should practise every day. You should watch films in English. You should not be afraid of making mistakes.) 3. 'I will describe a situation. Tell me what the person must not do and what they do not have to do. Ready? Someone is starting a new job next Monday.' (target: They must not be late on their first day. They do not have to know everything from day one. They must not be rude to their colleagues.) 4. 'What are three things you have to do every week that you do not really enjoy?' (target: I have to go to the supermarket. I have to write reports at work. I have to wake up very early on Mondays.) 5. 'Tell me the difference between these two in your own words: You must not park here. You do not have to park here.' (target: Must not = it is forbidden, parking is not allowed. Do not have to = parking is not necessary but it is allowed if I want.) 6. 'Give me three strong recommendations using must - things you think everyone should try in their life.' (target: You must visit Japan. You must try authentic Italian pizza. You must read this book - it changed my life.) FEEDBACK RULES: - If the student confuses must not and do not have to (e.g. uses must not when meaning optional), recast gently: 'So you do not have to do it - it is your choice!' - If the student adds to after must or should (e.g. 'you must to go'), recast: 'Yes, you must go! No to after modal verbs.' - If the student adds -s to must for he/she/it (e.g. 'she musts'), recast: 'That is right - she must! Modal verbs never change.' - Do NOT explain rules directly. Model the correct form in your reply. - After all 6 questions, give one warm specific compliment and say goodbye.

Have To, Must and Should – Obligation and Advice in English (A2)

Have To, Must and Should – Obligation and Advice in English (A2)

Practice Questions & Answers

Exercise 1: Have To, Must or Should? – Fill in the Gap

More A2 English Practice

A Robot Waiter in a Café (A2 Reading)

Pack Your Bags: Planning the Perfect Holiday – A2 Reading Exercises

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Modal Verb

Exercise 3: NASA Astronaut Training – Rules and Requirements

Exercise 4: Build Sentences with Have To, Must and Should

Exercise 5: Speaking Practice – Rules, Obligations and Advice

Exercise 6: Writing Practice – Rules in Your Life

Pizza, Sushi and Tacos: The World on Your Plate – A2 Reading Exercises

Common Phrasal Verbs – Wake Up, Put On, Look For (A2)

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives – A2 English Grammar

Do vs Make – When to Use Each One (A2)