Modals in the Past - Regrets and Missed Opportunities

Question 1

I _____ harder for that promotion instead of assuming I would get it automatically.

Options: should have worked, must have worked, could work

Question 2

Nobody expected her to do so, but she had the capital and the contacts and chose to keep her job. She _____ her own business years ago.

Options: must have started, would have started, could have started

Question 3

They _____ about the merger before it was announced because they sold all their shares the week before.

Options: should have known, must have known, could have known

Question 4

I _____ the compulsory digital-marketing course before my certification deadline, but I ignored the reminders and let my certification lapse.

Options: might have taken, must have taken, ought to have taken

Question 5

He _____ the warning signs that the company was in financial trouble, but he paid them no attention until it was too late.

Options: must have noticed, could have noticed, would have noticed

Question 6

It's possible that the interview _____ better if I had prepared more thoroughly.

Options: must have gone, should have gone, might have gone

Question 7

We _____ so much on that conference; we later learned the same contacts could have been reached for free.

Options: needn't have spent, shouldn't have spent, mightn't have spent

Question 8

She _____ the opportunity to study abroad if family obligations hadn't kept her at home.

Options: would have taken, must have taken, should take

Question 9

You _____ more assertive during the salary negotiation; your manager had explicitly told you to state your achievements, but you stayed silent.

Options: must have been, would have been, should have been

Question 10

They _____ the contract before signing it; now they are stuck with unfavorable terms for three years.

Options: must have reviewed, ought to have reviewed, would have reviewed

Question 11

I _____ my resignation letter so hastily; I should have waited to see if conditions improved.

Options: shouldn't have submitted, needn't have submitted, can't have submitted

Question 12

The project _____ much more successful if we had allocated sufficient resources from the beginning.

Options: should have been, must have been, could have been

Question 13

Daniel’s passport shows that he was in Nairobi on the day of the Berlin meeting, so he _____ the meeting in person.

Options: might have attended, can't have attended, must have attended