This is Kunle's handwriting; there … be no argument about it

Analyze the question The sentence is: "This is Kunle's handwriting; there ..... be no argument about it." We need the modal verb that fits the meaning. The speaker is certain it is Kunle's handwriting, so there is nothing to argue about.

Explain the concept Modal verbs express degrees of certainty or possibility:

• "can't / cannot" + be = it is impossible (strong negative certainty). Example: "There can't be any doubt."
• "can" in the affirmative, as in "there can be no argument," is a formal, somewhat literary use. It means "it is not possible for there to be" an argument, because "no" carries the negation.

Here the negative idea is already supplied by the word "no" (be no argument). If we added "can't", we would get a double negative: "there can't be no argument", which would mean there must be an argument. That is wrong.

Solution

1. The sentence already has a negative word: "no argument."
2. So the modal must be positive, with no extra negative.
3. This eliminates B (couldn't) and D (can't), because each would create a double negative.
4. Between "could" (A) and "can" (C): the sentence is in the present tense ("This is Kunle's handwriting"), stating a general present fact. So the present form can fits, not the past or hypothetical "could".

Full sentence: This is Kunle's handwriting; there can be no argument about it.

Answer: C. can

Exam tip When you see "no", "never", "nobody" or "nothing" already in a sentence, avoid choosing a negative modal such as "can't" or "couldn't". Two negatives in one clause cancel each other out and usually make the sentence wrong in standard English.