Question

Complete the sentence with the most appropriate word from those given in the brackets:
Work hard lest you __________ fail. (can, should, may, might, must, could)

Answer 1

Hint:For this question remember all the correct uses of modals and then choose the correct option accordingly which makes the perfect sense with the given question.

Complete answer:
Option A would be the incorrect option because “can” is used to express capability or capacity. The sentence with this option will be “Work hard lest you can fail.” Which is not right and hence is the incorrect option.

Option B is the correct answer because “should” is used to indicate something which is probable. Here in this case Probability of failure on not working hard. The sentence in this case will be “Work hard lest you should fail”. And hence is the correct option.

Option C would also be the incorrect option for this question because “may” although is used to express possibility, shall is however used to express a strong intent or assertion in the future tense and should is past tense of shall hence this option is incorrect.

Option D is also the incorrect option for this question because of the same reason as of Option C and is the past tense of may. The sentence in this case will be “Work hard lest you might fail” which is not right and hence this option is also incorrect.

Option E would also be the incorrect option for this question because “must” is used to describe a compulsion or a necessity which however in this case is not correct it is not a compulsion but more of a probability getting failing. And hence this option is also incorrect.

Option F is also the incorrect option for this question because “could” is used to describe a possibility but not as strong as should and hence this option is also incorrect.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note:The word “lest” in the given sentence has a negative meaning and therefore is should not be used with not. The only auxiliary verb suiting lest or we can say follow lest is should and hence is the correct one.