Exercise 1
Read the situations and write questions beginning Can … or Could ….
1) You're carrying a lot of things. You can't open the door yourself. There's a man standing near the door. You say to him: ________
2) You phone Kate's office, but somebody else answers. Kate isn't there. You want to leave a message for her. You say: ________
3) You're a tourist. You want to go to the station, but you don't know how to get there. You ask at your hotel: ________
4) You are in a clothes shop. You see some trousers you like and you want to try them on.
You say to the shop assistant: ________
5) You have a car. You have to go the same way as Steve, who is on foot. You offer him a lift.
You say to him: ________
Show answers
1)
1 Could you open the door, please?
2 Can/Could I leave a message (for her)? or Can/Could you give her a message?
3 Can/Could you tell me how to get to the station? or … the way to the station? or … where the station is?
4 Can/ Could I try on these trousers? or Can/Could I try these (trousers) on?
5 Can I give/offer you a lift?
Exercise 2
Read the situation and write a question using the word in brackets.
1) You want to borrow your friend 's bike. What do you say to him?
(think) ________
2) You are staying at a friend 's house and you would like to make some coffee. What do you say?
(all right) ________
3) You've filled in some forms in English. You want your friend to check them for you. What do you ask?
(think) ________
4) You want to leave work early. What do you ask your boss?
(mind) ________
5) The woman in the next room is playing music. It's very loud. You want her to turn it down. What do you say to her?
(think) ________
6) You're on a train. The window is open and you're feeling cold. You'd like to close it, but first you ask the woman next to you.
(OK) ________
7) You're still on the train. The woman next to you has finished reading her paper, and you'd like to have a look at it. You ask her.
(think) ________
Show answers
2)
1 Do you think I could borrow your bike?
2 Is it all right if I make some coffee?
3 Do you think you could check these forms (for me)? / … check them (for me)?
4 Do you mind if I leave work early?
5 Do you think you could turn the music down? / … turn it down?
6 Is it OK if I close the window?
7 Do you think I could have a look at your paper? / … at your newspaper?
Exercise 3
What would you say in these situations?
1) Paul has come to see you in your flat. You offer him something to eat.
YOU: ________?
PAUL: No, thank you. I've just eaten.
2) You need help to charge the battery in your camera. You ask Kate.
YOU: I don't know how to charge the battery. ________?
KATE: Sure. It's easy. All you have to do is this.
3) You're on a bus. You have a seat, but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat.
YOU: ________?
MAN: Oh, that's very kind of you. Thank you very much.
4) You're the passenger in a car. Your friend is driving very fast. You ask her to slow down.
YOU: You're making me very nervous. ________?
DRIVER: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise I was going so fast.
5) You've finished your meal in a restaurant and now you want the bill. You ask the waiter:
YOU: ________?
WAITER: Sure. I'll get it for you now.
6) A friend of yours is interest ed in one of your books. You invite him to borrow it.
FRIEND: This looks very interesting.
YOU: Yes, it's a good book. ________?
Show answers
3)
1 Would you like something to eat?
2 Can/Could/Would you show me? or Do you think you could show me? or … do it for me?
3 Would you like to sit down? or Would you like a seat? or Can I offer you a seat?
4 Can/Could/Would you slow down? or Do you think you could … ?
5 Can/Could/ May I/we have the bill, please? or Do you think I/we could have … ?
6 Would you like to borrow it ?
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