Foundation
English
Verb
Tenses
Question
Fill in the blank with an appropriate modal that demonstrates obligation:
You ______work hard if you want to top the class.
Know your College Admission Chances Based on your Rank/Percentile, Category and Home State.
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Solution
From the given options, we can eliminate the ones which are not correct. 'May' is used to seek permission or to express possibility. 'Can' is used to express the ability to do something or to seek permission. 'Would' expresses a sense of willingness or probability. None of these fit in the context of the sentence. Thus, options A, B and C are incorrect.
On the other hand 'ought to' expresses necessity, duty and moral obligation, which works in the context of the sentence. Hence option D is correct.
You ought to work hard if you want to top the class.