Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
If one person is careless with a library book, then it ________ be read by others.
a) can’t
b) couldn’t
c) may
d) can
e) mightn’t

Answer 1

Hint: A modal auxiliary is an auxiliary verb (such as `can' or `will') that is used to express modality. Modality refers to a classification of propositions on the basis of whether they claim necessity or possibility or impossibility.

Complete answer:
In the given question, we have to find out which of the options given to us expresses ability, as the ability to not read the book even after a person was not careful with it is being discussed here. The answer will be in the present tense as a possibility of a general rule is being discussed.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question-
Option (a.), 'can’t', refers to ‘cannot; is unable to; does not have the ability to.’Therefore, option (a.) is correct as it expresses ability.
Option (b.), ‘couldn’t', refers to past tense. Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as we need the answer in the present tense.
Option (c.), ‘may', refers to ‘(obsolete, auxiliary) To be able; can.’ Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as it is not the negative form.
Option (d.), ‘can', refers to ‘is able to; have the ability to.’Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it is not the negative form.
Option (e.), ‘mightn’t', refers to ‘might not; (auxiliary) used to indicate conditional or possible actions.’Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it does not express ability.

Note:
 In this question, it will be helpful for the student to recall the concept of verbs, as all modals are verbs. A verb is a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence. A verb is the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence.