These tasks can help you to practice grammar topic “Modals: Ability”. Read the rules on p. 215 - 219 and then do the exercises.
14. Fill in the gaps with can, can’t, could, couldn’t or was / wasn’t able to.
1. Like all simple machines, a lever ….. either give you more force or more distance, but as you get more of one you always give up some of the other.
2. Early men and women knew that a weight …... be pushed up a hill or a ramp of earth with less effort than would be required to move the same weight vertically.
3. A lever helps you do more work than you ….. do by yourself.
4. Wedges ….. be used for splitting open or pushing apart.
5. I had my hands full, so I ….. open the door.
6. When I was young, I ….. stand on my head.
7. Although he felt ill, he ….. finish all the paperwork.
15. Fill in the gaps with the proper item.
1. I ….. understand what he was saying because he was speaking Spanish.
a) couldn’t b) can’t c) can
2. The door was locked so I ….. go inside.
a) will be able to b) wasn’t able to c) can’t
3. We ….. go out for a meal since we sold the car.
a) has been able to b) haven’t been able to c) can
4. When I am older, I ….. live by myself.
a) can’t b) have been able to c) will be able to
5. Jenny ….. type since she went to college.
a) has been able to b) can c) can’t
6. We arrived at the shop just as it was closing, so we ….. do our shopping.
a) are able to b) can c) couldn’t
7. My brother ….. drive yet. He’s too young.
a) can b) can’t c) couldn’t