Can, can't, could, couldn't
Use can and can't for present ability or possibility; Use could and couldn't for past ability or possibility; Use the base verb after can or could, and put the modal before the subject in questions.
1. Mina is a good cook. She _____ make delicious soup.
Multiple Choice20sAcan✓Bcan'tCcouldDcouldn't💡 Can expresses a present ability.
2. The sentence 'Leo can plays the guitar' is correct.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 After can, use the base form of the verb without -s.
3. When I was three, I _____ read, so my parents read stories to me.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcouldn't · could not💡 Couldn't expresses a lack of ability in the past.
4. _____ your sister use this computer now?
Multiple Choice20sACan✓BDoes canCCould toDIs can💡 A present question with can begins with Can + subject + base verb.
5. Match each sentence beginning to its only logical ending.
Matching30sI can send→photos from my phone today.At age four, Ben could count→to one hundred.The locked door means we can't go→into the room.Before her lessons, Ana couldn't swim→across the pool.💡 Can and can't refer to the present; could and couldn't refer to past ability or possibility.
6. This bus goes to the airport, so you _____ take it.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcan💡 Can shows that taking this bus is possible.
7. Put the words in order to make a past ability question.
Put in Order30s- 1.Could
- 2.Nora
- 3.speak
- 4.English
- 5.when she was six?
💡 The question order is Could + subject + base verb.
8. Can your friends come to the picnic? - Yes, _____.
Multiple Choice20sAthey can✓Bthey doCthey couldDthey are💡 A positive short answer repeats can after the subject.
9. 'We couldn't find the hotel last night' describes a past problem.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Couldn't can describe something that was not possible in the past.
10. My grandfather _____ run very fast when he was young.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcould💡 Could expresses an ability in the past.
11. The cafe is closed today, so we _____ have lunch there.
Multiple Choice20sAcan't✓BcanCcouldDare not💡 Can't shows that something is not possible now.
12. Match each form to its meaning.
Matching30scan→present abilitycan't→no present possibilitycould→past abilitycouldn't→no past possibility💡 The positive and negative modal forms show ability or possibility in present and past time.
13. Ella can _____ very well. (dance)
Fill the Gap20sAccepteddance💡 Use the infinitive without to after can.
14. We use do or does before can to make a question.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Can is a modal verb, so it does not need do or does.
15. In 1900, people _____ watch television at home because it did not exist.
Multiple Choice20sAcouldn't✓Bcan'tCcouldDcan💡 Couldn't shows that something was impossible in the past.
16. Put the words in order to make a present negative sentence.
Put in Order30s- 1.Sam
- 2.can't
- 3.carry
- 4.heavy boxes
- 5.today.
💡 Use subject + can't + base verb in a negative sentence.
17. I _____ hear you because the music is too loud.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcan't · cannot💡 Can't describes a present lack of ability caused by the loud music.
18. Could Amir ride a bike at age five? - No, _____.
Multiple Choice20sAhe couldn't✓Bhe can'tChe didn'tDhe wasn't💡 A negative short answer to a could question uses couldn't.
19. Can has the same form with I, she, and they.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Modal verbs do not add -s for the third person singular.
20. The lift was broken, so we _____ use it yesterday.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcouldn't · could not💡 Couldn't expresses past impossibility.