UNIT 26 • Can, could and (be) able to

Nov 10, 2016

Complete the sentences using ‘can’ or ‘(be) able to’. Use ‘can’ if possible; otherwise use ‘(be) able to’.
- George has travelled a lot. He . . .
  can
  speak four languages.
  - be able to
  - can
  - been able to
- I haven’t . . .
  been able to
  sleep very well recently.
  - can
  - be able to
  - been able to
- Sandra . . .
  can
  drive but she hasn’t got a car.
  - can
  - been able to
  - be able to
- I can’t understand Martin. I’ve never . . .
  been able to
  understand him.
  - can
  - be able to
  - been able to
- I used to . . .
  be able to
  stand on my head but I can’t do it now.
  - be able to
  - can
  - been able to
- I can’t see you on Friday but I . . .
  can
  meet you on Saturday morning.
  - can
  - be able to
  - been able to
- Ask Catherine about your problem. She might . . .
  be able to
  help you.
  - can
  - be able to
  - been able to
Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.
- I used to (sing / well)
  something you used to be able to do
- I used (run fast)
  something you used to be able to do
- I’d (play / musical instrument)
  something you would like to be able to do
- I’ve (get up / early)
  something you have never been able to do
Complete the sentences with ‘can’, ‘can’t’, ‘could’, ‘couldn’t …’ + one of these verbs:

come ○ can ○ hear ○ run ○ sleep ○ wait
- I’m afraid I to your party next week.
  When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He 100 meters in 11 seconds.
  Are you in a hurry?’ ~ ‘No, I’ve got plenty of time. I .’
  I was feeling sick yesterday. I anything.
  Can you speak up a bit? I you very well.
  ‘You look tired.’ ~ ‘Yes, I last night,’
Complete the answers to the questions with ‘was / were able to’.
- A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
  B: Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody
- A: Did you have difficulty finding Ann’s house?
  B: Not really. Ann had given us good directions and we
- A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
  B: Yes. There was nobody to disturb me, so I
- A: Did the thief get away?
  B: Yes. No one realised what was happening and the thief
Complete the sentences using ‘could’, ‘couldn’t’ or ‘was / were able to’. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
- My grandfather was a very clever man. He . . .
  could
  speak five languages.
  - could
  - couldn’t
  - was able to
  - weren’t able to
- I looked everywhere for the book but I . . .
  couldn’t
  find it.
  - could
  - couldn’t
  - wasn’t able to
  - weren’t able to
- They didn’t want to come with us at first but we . . .
  were able to
  persuade them.
  - could
  - was able to
  - were able to
  - weren’t able to
- Laura had hurt her leg and . . .
  couldn’t
  walk very well.
  - could
  - couldn’t
  - was able to
  - wasn’t able to
- Sue wasn’t at home when I phoned but I . . .
  was able to
  contact her at her office.
  - could
  - was able to
  - were able to
  - weren’t able to
- I looked very carefully and I . . .
  could
  see a figure in the distance.
  - could
  - was able to
  - wasn’t able to
  - were able to
- I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn’t have any but I . . .
  was able to
  get some in the next shop.
  - could
  - couldn’t
  - was able to
  - wasn’t able to
- My grandmother loved music. She . . .
  could
  play the piano very well.
  - was able to
  - wasn’t able to
  - were able to
  - could
- A girl fell into the river but fortunately we . . .
  were able to
  rescue her.
  - could
  - couldn’t
  - were able to
  - weren’t able to
- I had forgotten to bring my camera so I . . .
  couldn’t
  take any photographs.
  - couldn’t
  - was able to
  - wasn’t able to
  - could

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