Exercise 1
Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to . Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to .
1) Gary has travelled a lot. He ________ speak five languages.
2) I haven't ________ to sleep very well recently.
3) Nicole ________ drive, but she doesn't have a car.
4) I used to ________ stand on head, but I can't do it any more.
5) I can't understand Mark. I've never ________ understand him.
6) I can't see you on Friday, but I ________ meet you on Saturday morning.
7) Ask Katherine about your problem. She might ________ help you.
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1)
1 can
2 been able to
3 can
4 be able to
5 been able to
6 can or will be able to
7 be able to
Exercise 2
Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.
1) (something you used to be able to do)
I used ________
2) (something you used to be able to do)
I used ________
3) (something you would like to be able to do)
I'd ________
4) (something you have never been able to do)
I've ________
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2)
1 I used to be able to sing well.
2 I used to be able to run fast.
3 I'd like to be able to play the piano.
4 I've never been able to get up early.
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences with can/can't/could/couldn't + the following:
come eat hear run sleep wait
1) I'm afraid I ________ to your party next week.
2) When Dan was 16, he ________ 100 metres in 11 seconds.
3) 'Are you in a hurry?' 'No, I've got plenty of time. I ________
4) I was feeling sick yesterday. I ________ anything.
5) Can you speak a little louder? I ________ you very well.
6) 'You look tired.' 'Yes, I ________ last night.'
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3)
1 can’t come
2 could run
3 can wait
4 couldn't eat
5 can't hear
6 couldn't sleep
Exercise 4
Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to ….
1) A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
B: Yes, although the fire spread quickly, everybody ________ .
2) A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
B: Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so I ________ .
3) A: Did you have problems finding our house?
B: Not really. Your directions were good and we ________ .
4) A: Did the thief get away?
B: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief ________ .
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4)
1 was able to escape
2 was able to finish it
3 were able to find it
4 was able to get away
Exercise 5
Complete the sentences using could , couldn't or managedto .
1) grandfather travelled a lot. He ________ speak five languages.
2) I looked everywhere for the book, but I ________ find it.
3) They didn't want to come with us at first, but we ________ persuade them.
4) Laura had hurt her leg and ________ walk very well.
5) I ran first marathon recently. It was very hard, but I ________ finish.
6) I looked very carefully and I ________ see somebody in the distance.
7) I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn't have any, but I ________ get some in the next shop.
8) grandmother loved music. She ________ play the piano very well.
9) A girl fell into the river, but fortunately we ________ pull her out.
10) I had forgotten to bring camera, so I ________ take any pictures.
Show answers
5)
1 could
2 couldn’t
3 managed to
4 couldn't
5 managed to
6 could
7 managed to
8 could
9 managed to
10 couldn't