1. "What time will you be home tonight? 'I'm not sure. Late.'"
- c) can be (both a and b are correct)
2. "I can't find the theatre tickets. They ... out of my pocket."
- a) must have fallen
3. "Somebody ran in front of the car as I was driving. Fortunately, I just ... in time."
- c) managed to stop
4. "We've got plenty of time. We ..."
- b) needn't leave. yet.
In the first scenario, the uncertainty about the arrival time prompts a vague response, "I'm not sure. Late," suggesting that the speaker might arrive later than usual. The options "can be" (option c) encompass the possibility of both "may be" and "might be," capturing the ambiguity of the situation.
Concerning the lost theatre tickets, the phrase "out of my pocket" implies an accidental loss. The most appropriate option is "must have fallen" (option a), indicating a strong probability that the tickets fell out, aligning with the accidental nature of the situation.
In the third situation, the urgent need to stop a car due to someone running in front presents the successful outcome expressed by "managed to stop" (option c). This choice conveys the driver's ability to act promptly and avoid an accident.
Finally, in the context of having ample time, "needn't leave yet" (option b) signifies that there is no obligation to depart immediately, emphasizing the flexibility of the schedule.