Linda needed the teacher to explain the relationship between the plot and the subplots.

That answer could be a number of things, are there any possible answers given?

modal adverbs are used to modify specific verbs that consist of a linking verb (verb of being) and sometimes another verb. examples of modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would.

modal auxiliary. an auxiliary verb characteristically used with other verbs to express mood, aspect, or tense. in english, the most common modal auxiliaries are can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, and would. also called modal .