Ability: Can, Could and Be Able To: A2 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. She ___ speak four languages fluently. → can

Modals never take -s in the third person.

2. ___ you help me with this suitcase? → Can

Modal questions are formed by inversion, with no auxiliary do.

3. I ___ swim when I was six years old. → could

Could describes general ability in the past.

4. He can't ___ to the meeting tomorrow. → come

The base form always follows a modal, with no to.

5. I'd love to ___ play the piano. → be able to

Can has no infinitive, so be able to is used after another verb.

6. ___ I open the window? It's very warm. → Can

Can asks for permission as well as describing ability.

7. Which is the politest request? → Could you give me the salt, please?

Could plus please is the softest of these forms.

8. The fire brigade ___ rescue everybody in the building. → was able to

A single successful past action takes was able to rather than could.

9. She hasn't ___ to contact him all week. → been able

Can has no participle, so been able is used after have.

10. ___ they see the stage from those seats? → Could

A past ability question uses could with inversion.

11. I ___ find my glasses anywhere this morning. → couldn't

Couldn't expresses a past failure to do something.

12. We will ___ to move in next month. → be able

After will, can is impossible, so be able to fills the gap.

13. Which sentence is correct? → Can you drive?

Modal questions invert the modal and the subject, with the base verb after.

14. He ___ read before he started school. → could

Could describes a general ability that existed in the past.

15. ___ I take a photograph in here? → Can

Can asks whether something is permitted.

16. After three attempts, she ___ open the jar. → was able to

One specific achievement in the past takes was able to.

17. I'm sorry, I ___ come to the party on Friday. → can't

The negative of can is can't, followed by the base verb.

18. ___ you tell me the time, please? → Could

Could makes a request politer than can.

19. They have never ___ to find a cheaper flat. → been able

After have, the participle been able is required.

20. Which sentence describes present ability? → I can ski quite well.

Can describes what is true now.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. She ___ play the violin beautifully. → can

Can describes present ability and never takes -s.

2. ___ you pass me the salt, please? → Could

Could makes a request politer than can.

3. I ___ ride a bicycle when I was five. → could

Could describes a general ability in the past.

4. He can't ___ tomorrow because he is working. → come

The base form follows a modal, with no to.

5. I would like to be ___ to speak Georgian. → able

Be able to fills the gap where can has no infinitive.

6. ___ I use your phone for a moment? → Can

Can asks for permission as well as describing ability.

7. After several tries, we ___ able to start the engine. → were

One successful past action takes was or were able to.

8. She hasn't been ___ to sleep properly for weeks. → able

After have been, able to is the only possible form.

9. ___ he swim when he was younger? → Could

A question about past ability uses could.

10. I ___ find the address anywhere on the website. → couldn't

Couldn't expresses a past failure.

11. We will be ___ to move in after the repairs. → able

Can cannot follow will, so be able to is used.

12. ___ you hear me at the back? → Can

A present ability question inverts the modal and the subject.

13. He ___ drive, but he doesn't own a car. → can

Can describes an ability that exists now.

14. They ___ get tickets for the final in the end. → managed to

A single past success takes managed to or was able to.

15. I'm afraid I ___ help you with that. → can't

The negative of can is can't.

16. Being ___ to drive is essential for that job. → able

Can has no -ing form, so being able to is used.

17. ___ you speak more slowly, please? → Could

Could softens a request.

18. She ___ read music long before she started school. → could

General ability in the past takes could rather than was able to.

19. Nobody has been ___ to explain the problem yet. → able

The participle form requires been able to.

20. ___ we sit here, or is this table reserved? → Can

Can asks whether something is permitted.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Describe somebody's present linguistic ability. → She can speak three languages fluently.

Describe somebody's present linguistic ability.

2. Make a polite request for assistance. → Could you help me for a moment?

Make a polite request for assistance.

3. Describe an ability you had as a young child. → I could swim before I started school.

Describe an ability you had as a young child.

4. Report somebody's absence, in the negative. → He can't come to the meeting today.

Report somebody's absence, in the negative.

5. State an ambition where can is impossible. → I want to be able to cook.

State an ambition where can is impossible.

6. Ask for permission in a warm room. → Can I open the window, please?

Ask for permission in a warm room.

7. Report one specific past success. → We were able to book the last table.

Report one specific past success.

8. Describe a lifelong lack of ability. → She has never been able to drive.

Describe a lifelong lack of ability.

9. Ask about past ability at an event. → Could they see the screen from there?

Ask about past ability at an event.

10. Report a failure to do something in the past. → I couldn't sleep at all last night.

Report a failure to do something in the past.

11. Tell a customer about future availability. → You will be able to collect it tomorrow.

Tell a customer about future availability.

12. Ask about present perception. → Can you hear the music from here?

Ask about present perception.

13. Contrast ability with preference. → He can drive but he prefers cycling.

Contrast ability with preference.

14. Politely ask somebody to slow down. → Could you speak a little more slowly?

Politely ask somebody to slow down.

15. Report a group failing at a task. → Nobody was able to answer the question.

Report a group failing at a task.

16. Offer a time when you are free. → I can meet you after four o'clock.

Offer a time when you are free.

17. Praise a skill where can has no -ing form. → Being able to swim is very useful.

Praise a skill where can has no -ing form.

18. Describe a childhood talent. → She could read music at the age of four.

Describe a childhood talent.

19. Ask a shop about payment options. → Can we pay by card here?

Ask a shop about payment options.

20. Describe a possibility that has existed for a while. → They have been able to work from home.

Describe a possibility that has existed for a while.