Question

Fill in the blank with an appropriate modal:
It is very cloudy today. It _____ rain.
A. May
B. Would
C. Can’t
D. Must

Answer 1

Hint: Modal is a type of auxiliary verb (helping verbs) that is used to express ability, possibility, permission or obligation. For example: can, could, may, might, will, must, shall, should and etc.

Complete step by step answer:
Option A) May – is the correct answer. May is a modal verb and is used to express the possibility. In the sentence “it is very cloudy today” so it is correct as the statement expresses the possibility that it might rain.
Option B) Would – is an incorrect option because would is the past tense of will and “will” expresses certainty not possibility. And “it is very cloudy today” is a present tense. Hence, our answer should be in present tense not in past tense.
Option C) Can’t – is an incorrect answer because can’t means there is no possibility for it to rain. Hence, this is an incorrect option.
Option D) Must – is an incorrect answer because it must rain expresses certainty not possibility, which is incorrect as the statement expresses the possibility of rain.
It is very cloudy today. It may rain

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
There are three basic rules to follow in modals. First: Don’t change the form of modal and turn it into past, present or future (as in this question our statement is in present tense, so use of modal will also be in present). Second: Use the base form of the verb after a modal. Third: If there is need of the use of negative modal then use “NOT” after the modal verb (as per the statement).