Exercises

Unit 26 · can, could and (be) able to

26.1

Complete the sentences using can or ( be ) able to

Complete the sentences using can or ( be ) able to. If can is not possible•use ( be ) able to .

1Gary has travelled a lot. He can speak five languages.(Example)

2I haven’t been able to sleep very well recently.(Example)

Nicole drive, but she doesn’t have a car.

I used to stand on my head, but I can’t do it any more.

I can’t understand Mark. I’ve never understand him.

I can’t see you on Friday, but I meet you on Saturday morning.

Ask Katherine about your problem. She might help you.

You have to be careful in this part of the city. It be dangerous.

Michael has lived in Italy a long time, so he should speak Italian.

26.2

Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets

Write•sentences•about•yourself•using•the•ideas•in•brackets.

1(something you used to be able to do) I used to be able to sing well.(Example)

(something you used to be able to do) I used

(something you would like to be able to do) I’d

(something you have never been able to do) I’ve

26.3

Complete the sentences with can / can’t / could / couldn’t + the following: believe come h

Complete•the•sentences•with•can•/•can’t•/•could•/•couldn’t•+•the•following:•believe•come•hear•run•sleep•wait

1I’m afraid I can’t come to your party next week.(Example)

When Dan was 16, he 100 metres in 11 seconds.

‘Are you in a hurry?’ ‘No, I’ve got plenty of time. I .’

I don’t feel good this morning. I last night.

Can you speak a little louder? I you very well.

I was amazed when I heard the news. I it.

26.4

Complete the answers to the questions with was / were able to …

Complete•the•answers•to•the•questions•with•was•/•were•able•to•…•.

1a: Did everybody escape from the fire? b: Yes. The fire spread quickly, but everybody was able to escape .(Example)

a: Did you finish your work this afternoon? b: Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so I .

a: Did you solve the problem? b: Yes, we did. It wasn’t easy, but we .

a: Did the thief get away? b: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief .

26.5

Complete the sentences using could , couldn’t or managed to

Complete the sentences using could•couldn’t or managed to .

1My grandfather travelled a lot. He could speak five languages.(Example)

2I looked everywhere for the book, but I couldn’t find it.(Example)

3They didn’t want to come with us at first, but we managed to persuade them.(Example)

Jessica had hurt her foot and walk very well.

There was a small fire in the kitchen, but fortunately I put it out.

The walls were thin and I hear people talking in the next room.

I ran my first marathon recently. It was very hard, but I finish.

My grandmother loved music. She play the piano very well.

We wanted to go to the concert, but we get tickets.

A girl fell into the river, but some people pull her out. She’s all right now.

Theory