Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable option:
If you want to learn English, you _________ speak in your regional language during English lessons.

• A. should
• B. don't have to
• C. must
• D. shouldn't

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

shouldn't

Answer : D

Let's take a look at the usage of the verbs in the options:

• should : It is used for expressing an opinion / advice / expectation / criticism about some past action or it can be used to ask for an advice
• don't have to : It is the negative form of 'have to'; it is used to remove necessity or external obligation
• must : to express a necessity (in the present or future); to make an assumption that something is true; to express an opinion about something that is logically very likely
• shouldn't : It is the contracted form of 'should not'; it is the negative form of the modal verb 'should'

Here in the question, we see that the speaker is expressing an advice, that is to NOT speak in the regional language during English lessons but to try and speak in English so that they can learn better.

Therefore from among the options, 'shouldn't' is the most suitable verb to complete the sentence, as it is used to express an advice in the negative form, that is an advice to not do something.

• "should" is not suitable as it is used to express a positive advice, that is to do something; if it is used here it would completely change the meaning of the sentence -- therefore it is NOT suitable.
• "don't have to" removes the necessity but does NOT express an advice and therefore it is also NOT suitable.

Thus, the correct complete sentence is:

If you want to learn English, you SHOULDN'T speak in your regional language during English lessons.