In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option that is the best choice for the mood of the given sentence.
Rohan must have left the school.

1. A

   Imperative

2. B

   Conditional

3. C

   Certain

4. D

   Doubtful

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

• The phrase "must have" is a modal of deduction used to express a strong belief or logical certainty about a past action.
• The speaker is not stating a fact but is making a confident conclusion based on implied evidence (e.g., "His bag is gone, so he must have left.").
• This expression of strong belief or logical conclusion corresponds to a mood of certainty.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The sentence is a deduction about a past event, not a command or an order.
• Option B: The sentence does not contain a condition (typically using 'if' or 'unless') upon which the action depends.
• Option D: The modal 'must have' expresses strong certainty, which is the opposite of doubt.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identifying the mood of a sentence based on modal verbs of deduction as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding modal verbs is crucial for clear and precise communication in any professional setting, including writing reports or speaking with colleagues.
• Correctly interpreting the degree of certainty (e.g., 'must have' vs. 'might have') prevents misunderstandings in both written and verbal communication.
• What if? If the sentence were "Rohan might have left the school," the mood would change from 'Certain' to 'Doubtful', indicating only a possibility rather than a strong conclusion.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key verb phrase in the sentence, which is "must have left".
• Recognize that this is a modal verb construction used to talk about the past.
• Recall the specific function of "must have" + past participle, which is to express a strong deduction or logical certainty.
• Evaluate the given options based on this function. 'Certain' directly aligns with the meaning of 'must have'.
• Systematically eliminate the other options by defining their meanings: 'Imperative' is a command, 'Conditional' requires an 'if' clause, and 'Doubtful' would use 'might have' or 'may have'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Identifying the mood of a sentence based on modal verbs of deduction.
• Stem keywords: mood of the sentence, must have left
• Lead-in keywords: best choice
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QkXAW_U3vjl9IpALHpD3gJ

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