American Institute for Executives

“More than a language, culture”

Moving into an Apartment

Before this year, I ____ (not) move out of my parents' house because I did not have a job. But now that
I have finished college and have a job, I realize that living at home ____ drive my parents and me crazy.
Unfortunately, it's not so easy to find an apartment in the city. Without an agent, you ___ not be able to
find all the available listings. Because of my agent's help, I found a wonderful condom this morning and
signed the lease. Before now, I _____ (not) sign a lease, but now I ___ because I am twenty-one.

I asked my friends to help me move because I knew that I ___ fit all my possessions into my little car. My
best friend said, " I ___ help you move next week." He added, "I ___ help earlier in the morning than later
in the afternoon." My father also offered to help me move. He ___ be really be eager to have me move
out!

Another friend told me that he ___________ (help) me move, but he never showed up. What a flake! With
the help of three friends, I _______ get all my possessions into the new condo.

My parents are happy for me, but warned, "You ______ spend all your money each month. Save a little
extra money for unexpected emergencies." I know that everyone _______ save a little extra money, but
it is hard with so many bills to pay. I made a few purchases. The first thing that I _______ (have) was
furniture. I _______ (sleep) on the wood floor, but it was too hard, so I bought a sofa-bed.

It ______ (take) about a year until I am able to completely furnish my apartment. By this time next year,
I _____ (learn) a lot about living independently.

agent (N) – a professional (in Real Estate, property)
available (Adj) – ready; able to be used, easily be
bought or found
condominium (N) – an independent living space or
unit in a larger building or complex
eager (Adj) – be excited about something that will
happen
furnish (V) – put furniture and other things into
a room or house
lease (N) – a legal agreement to pay rent; We
have a twelve-month lease.
listings (pl. n.) – information about an available
places to live, usually in a newspaper or an
online database; We found a list of available
apartments.

flake (expression) – an unreliable person purchases (pl. n.) – buys

show up (verbal expression) – appear as

expected or agree

1
 American Institute for Executives
“More than a language, culture”

Select the modal form that best completes the sentence and the context.

1. Before this year, I __________ 4. Before now, I couldn't sign a lease, but
move out of my parents' house now I _____ because I am twenty-one.
because I did not have a job.
a. able
a. may not
b. can
b. cannot
c. can able
c. should not
d. can do
d. could not
e. sign
e. shall not
5. I asked my friends to help me move
2. But now that I have finished college because I knew that I _____ fit all my
and have a job, I realize that living at home possessions into my little car.
_____ drive my parents and me crazy.

a. can't be able to
a. could

b. not able to
b. would

c. don't be able to
c. should

d. couldn't
d. would have

e. couldn't be able to
e. should have

3. Unfortunately, it's not so easy to find 6. My best friend said, " I _____ help you
an apartment in the city. Without an agent, move next week."
you _____ not be able to find all the
available listings.
a. able to

a. ought to b. would be able to

b. must c. be able to

c. should d. must be able to

d. might e. will be able to

e. can

2
 American Institute for Executives
“More than a language, culture”

7. He added, " I _____ help earlier in the

morning than later in the afternoon." 10. With the help of three friends, I ___
get all my possessions into the new
condo.
a. would better

a. am able t
b. would like

b. can
c. would have

c. could
d. would rather

d. was able to
e. would

8. My father also offered to help me move. e. could have

He __________ be really eager to have me
move out! 11. My parents are happy for me, but
warned, "You _____ spend all your money
each month. Save a little extra money for
a. must
unexpected emergencies."

b. will
a. mustn't

c. can
b. don't have to

d. ought to
c. must not have

e. have to
d. aren't able to
9. Another friend told me that he ______
me move, but he never showed up. e. would not

12. I know that everyone _______ save a

a. would help
little extra money, but it is hard with so
many bills to pay.
b. would have helped
a. must
c. will help
b. is supposed to
d. would helped
c. has to
e. will have helped
d. was able to

e. could have

3
 American Institute for Executives
“More than a language, culture”

13. I made a few purchases. The first

thing that I _____ was furniture.

a. must have

b. had to have

c. must have had

d. have to have

e. would have had

14. I _____ on the wood floor, but it was

too hard, so I bought a sofa-bed.

a. could sleep

b. couldn't sleep

c. could have slept

d. could of slept

e. couldn't have slept

15. By this time next year, I _____ a lot

about living independently.

a. must learn

b. will learn

c. would learn

d. will have learned

4
American Institute for Executives
“More than a language, culture”