Exercise 1
Answer the questions with a suggestion. Use could.
1) Where shall we go for our holidays? (to Scotland) We ________
2) What shall we have for dinner tonight? (fish) We ________
3) When shall I phone Vicky? (now) You ________
4) What shall I give Ann for her birthday? (a book) ________
5) Where shall we hang this picture? (in the kitchen) ________
Show answers
1)
1 We could go to Scotland
2 We could have fish.
3 You could phone (her) now.
4 You could give her a book.
5 We could hang it in the kitchen.
Exercise 2
In some of these sentences, you need could (not can ). Change the sentences where necessary.
1) The story can be true but I don't think it is. ________
2) It's a nice day. We can go for a walk. ________
3) I'm so angry with him. I can kill him! ________
4) If you're hungry, we can have dinner now. ________
5) It's so nice here. I can stay here all day, but unfortunately I have to go. ________
6) A: Where's bag. Have you seen it?
B: No, but it can be in the car. ________
7) Peter is a keen musician. He plays the flute and he can also play the piano. ________
8) A: I need to borrow a camera.
B: You can borrow mine. ________
9) Be careful climbing that tree. You can fall. ________
Show answers
2)
1 could be true
2 OK (could go is also possible)
3 I could kill him!
4 OK (could have is also possible)
5 I could stay here all day
6 it could be in the car (may/might are also possible)
7 OK
8 OK (could borrow is also possible)
9 You could fall. (may/might are also possible)
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences. Use could or couldhave + a suitable verb.
1) A: What shall we do this evening?
B: I don't mind. We ________ to the cinema.
2) A: I spent a very boring evening at home yesterday.
B: Why did you stay at home? You ________ out with us.
3) A: Have you seen this job advertised in the paper? You ________ for it.
B: What sort of job? Show me the advertisement.
4) A: How was your exam? Was it difficult?
B: It wasn't so bad. It ________ worse.
5) A: I got very wet walking home in the rain last night.
B: Why did you walk? You ________ a taxi.
6) A: Where shall we meet tomorrow?
B: Well, I ________ to your house if you like.
Show answers
3)
1 could go
2 could have come/gone
3 could apply
4 could have been
5 could have got/taken
6 could come
Exercise 4
Complete the sentences. Use couldn't or couldn'thave + these verbs (in the correct form):
be be come find get live wear
1) I ________ in a big city. I'd hate it.
2) We had a really good holiday. It ________ better.
3) I ________ that hat. I'd look silly and people would laugh at me.
4) We managed to find the restaurant you recommended, but we ________ it without the map that you drew for us.
5) Paul has to get up at 4 o'clock every morning. I don 1t know how he does it. ________ up at that time every day.
6) The staff at the hotel were really nice when we stayed there last summer. ________ more helpful.
7) A: I tried to phone you last week. We had a party and I wanted to invite you.
B: That was nice of you, but I ________ anyway. I was away all last week.
Show answers
4)
1 couldn’t live
2 couldn’t have been
3 couldn't wear
4 couldn't have found
5 couldn't get
6 couldn't have been
7 couldn't have come/gone
IELTS Practice Tests Online
