Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: shall
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of auxiliary verbs and sentence structure. The sentence "I ______ not attend the party" already contains "not attend", which clearly marks a negative statement in the simple future. Therefore, the blank must be filled with a suitable modal auxiliary that correctly combines with "not attend". The correct choice must produce a natural and grammatically complete sentence, matching the level of formality and style usually expected in exam English.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In standard English, a sentence like "I shall not attend the party" or "I will not attend the party" is formed by placing a modal auxiliary before "not" and then the base verb "attend". In this question, the blank appears immediately before "not", so the auxiliary used must not already contain the negative "not"."Shall" is a suitable auxiliary in formal style and fits the structure "I shall not attend". Options that contain "be" or contracted forms like "won’t" do not fit directly before "not attend" without creating double negatives or incorrect verb chains.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the structure is "I [auxiliary] not attend the party". The auxiliary goes into the blank.
Step 2: Consider option D, "shall". Placing it in the blank yields "I shall not attend the party", which is grammatically correct and clear.
Step 3: Examine option C, "won’t". If we insert it, we get "I won’t not attend the party", which is a double negative and completely changes the meaning.
Step 4: Examine option B, "will be". This would produce "I will be not attend the party", which is ungrammatical because "be" is unnecessary and the verb form is wrong.
Step 5: Examine option A, "probably be", which does not function as a modal auxiliary and gives "I probably be not attend", an incorrect structure.
Step 6: Examine option E, "must". "I must not attend the party" is grammatically correct but significantly changes the meaning to a strong prohibition, and the exam stem usually aims at simple future intention with "shall" or "will".
Step 7: Conclude that "shall" is the best and most appropriate completion for a simple, neutral refusal.
Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full corrected sentence: "I shall not attend the party." This is a standard way to express a decision about future attendance in a slightly formal register. It matches the pattern used in many textbooks and exams. While "I will not attend the party" would also be correct, there is no option containing just "will", and "will be" does not fit. Therefore, the only option that keeps the sentence simple and grammatically correct is "shall".
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Probably be" fails because "probably" is an adverb and "be" would need a different construction, such as "I will probably not attend", which is not offered. "Will be" is wrong because "will be not attend" does not match any standard English pattern. "Won’t" already contains the negative and cannot be followed by "not attend" without creating a double negative sense. "Must" is grammatically possible but implies compulsion or prohibition rather than the straightforward intention that exam setters typically test here, making "shall" the more appropriate answer in this context.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes get confused by contracted forms like "won’t" and forget that they already include "not". Others may not notice how adding "be" mis-structures the verb phrase. When answering similar questions, it helps to mentally expand contractions and to recall basic future tense patterns: "I shall not attend" or "I will not attend". Doing this quickly reveals which options fit and which do not.
Final Answer:
The blank should be filled with shall, giving the correct sentence "I shall not attend the party."
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