TOEIC Part 5 Must vs Have To Anchor Drill
Both choices can express obligation. Do not choose by translation alone. Find the source of the pressure: a rule or instruction stated directly, or an outside situation that makes the action necessary.
Schedule, shortage, closure or practical situation = have to
Both forms may be grammatically possible, so use the strongest visible signal.
Choose must
Look for a policy, notice, regulation, safety instruction, deadline or required procedure. The sentence presents the obligation directly rather than explaining a practical problem.
Choose have to
Look for a reason that creates the necessity: an unavailable room, a delayed shipment, repairs, bad weather, staff shortages or a timetable that cannot be changed.
Check the source
Words such as because, due to, while and until often reveal an external situation. A formal notice or procedure often points to must.
Find where the obligation comes from
Do not stop at the word “necessary”. Tap the phrase that shows whether the sentence is giving a direct rule or describing circumstances that force the action.
Under the laboratory safety policy, visitors ___ remain with a staff member at all times.
Answer: mustUnder the laboratory safety policy is the anchor. The sentence directly states a formal safety rule.
We ___ move the meeting because the conference room is unavailable.
Answer: have tobecause the conference room is unavailable is the anchor. The unavailable room creates the practical necessity.
During the system upgrade, the service teams ___ use paper forms.
Answer: have toDuring the system upgrade is the anchor. A temporary operating condition forces the change.
The drill contains 2 untimed Warm-Up questions, 5 timed Anchor Drill questions and 5 timed New Context questions.
What your result shows
Your result shows whether you can find the source of an obligation under time pressure. In Review, check whether the sentence directly states a rule or instruction or shows an external situation creating the necessity. Do not rely on translating both expressions as “necessary”.
If you missed must
Look for a policy, notice, regulation, safety instruction, deadline or required procedure. These signals present the obligation directly.
If you missed have to
Look for the practical reason: repairs, shortages, closures, schedule changes, unavailable facilities or another condition that forces the action.
If both felt possible
That is normal in everyday English. TOEIC needs a visible signal. Use the strongest source-of-obligation clue rather than trying to create an absolute difference where the sentence gives none.
Use Review in this order: check the correct answer, locate the anchor, identify who or what creates the pressure, decide direct rule versus external necessity, and then read the reusable pattern.