B2 First: modal verbs
You will need to be able to use modal verbs (must, should, could etc.) and the different verb forms which come after them. If you want more details, you can read about these more in the main grammar pages of this website. More information about the modal verb would is in my B2 First conditionals pages.
There are 5 patterns you need to remember which follow modal verbs:
Modal + verb refers to a single action (usually future) or a state (now)
He should go.
Modal + be + verb-ing refers to an action in progress (usually now)
He should be going.
Modal + have + past participle (e.g. done, gone, been) refers to a finished action (usually past)
He should have gone.
Modal + be + past participle (e.g. done, gone, been) is a passive (someone else does it to him)
He should be told.
Modal + have + been + past participle (e.g. done, gone, been) is a past passive (someone did it to him)
He should have been told.
The exact meaning depends on the modal verb used. For example, "He should have gone" means "he didn't go, and this was a mistake", while "He must have gone" means "I am sure that he went."
Practice 1: open cloze (use of English part 2)
Complete these sentences with just one word.
Practice 2: key transformations (use of English part 4)
You might also be tested on modal verbs in the Key Transformations part of the exam. Rewrite these sentences using 2-5 words and the word in brackets. Make sure you think about the time - is it past, present or future?