Exercise 1
Choose the correct form of can, could, be able to (affirmative or negative). Use a
form of be able to only if a form of can or could is not possible.
1 Can you read this for me? I see without my glasses.
2 I've never speak Spanish as well as my brother.
3 After 2 years in China, I speak Chinese quite fluently now.
4 I hate understand my French neighbours.
5 When he was 40, he speak six languages.
6 After 6 hours climbing, we reach the top of the
mountain.
7 When I was a child I used to stand on my head.
8 Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I
find them.
9 Sally wasn't at home, but I contact her at her office.
10 If you tell him your problem he might
help you.
Exercise 2 -Completa la frase con could, be able to
When I was younger, I ________ run for miles without getting tired.
By next year, I ________ speak three languages fluently.
He wasn't feeling well, so he ________ come to the meeting yesterday.
If you study hard, you ________ pass the exam.
She ________ play the piano beautifully when she was a child.
After a lot of practice, I finally ________ solve the puzzle.
They ________ finish the project by the end of the month if they work
overtime.
He lost his keys and ________ get into his house last night.
Next year, we ________ travel to Japan for the summer.
Despite the heavy rain, they ________ complete the hike.
Exercise 3. Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to.
1. Gary has travelled a lot. He ……………………………….. speak five languages.
2. I haven’t …………………………..………….. sleep very well recently.
3. Nicole ………………………..……………. drive, but she hasn’t got a car.
4. I used to ……………………….……………. stand on my head, but I can’t do it now.
5. I can’t understand Martin. I’ve never ………………………..…………………….. understand
him.
6. I can’t see you on Friday, but I ……………………………………………….. meet you on
Saturday morning.
7. Ask Catherine about your problem. She might …………………….…………………….. help
you.
Exercise 4 Complete the sentences with can / can’t / could / couldn’t + the
following: come, eat, hear, run, sleep, wait.
1. I’m afraid I ……………………………………… to your party next week.
2. When Tim was 16, he ………………………………..…………. 100 metres in 11 seconds.
3. “Are you in a hurry?” “No, I’ve got plenty of time. I …………………………………….
……………”
4. I was feeling sick yesterday. I …………………………………………………. anything.
5. Can you speak a little louder? I ……………………………..…………………….. you very well.
6. “You look tired. “ “ Yes, I ………………………………………………….. last night”
3. Complete the answers to the questions with was / were able to …
1. A: Did everybody escape from the fire? B: Yes, although the fire spread quickly,
everybody …………………………..
2. A: Did you finish your work this afternoon? B: Yes, there was nobody to disturb
me, so I ………………………………….
3. A: Did you have difficulty finding our house? B: Not really. Your directions were
good and we …………………………..
4. A: Did the thief get away? B: Yes. No-one realized what was happening and the
thief …………………………………………
Exercise 5 . Choose the correct words:
1. I couldn’t /won’t be able to go to the cinema on Tuesday. I always play football on
Tuesdays.
2. I could / can swim ten years ago. I learnt when I was five.
3. She reads the BBC website because she can / could speak English.
4. Could / Can you ride a bike ten years ago?
5. I can’t / couldn’t find the file that you wanted. Where was it?
6. My mum couldn’t / can’t drive. She hasn’t got a driving licence.
7. Couldn’t you / Will you be able to help me later? Yes, I’ll come soon.
Exercise 6 . SIMPLE PAST o PRESENT PERFECT?
0. Tony _________________ alone for years.
a. lived b. has lived c. did live
1. “Where ______________ Janet?”
a. you met b. have you met c. did you meet
2. Dad _______________ yet.
a. hasn’t called b. has called c. didn’t call
3. ________________ to the circus?
a. Were you ever b. Have you ever been c. Have you ever gone
4. It’s the first time I _____________________ my passport!
a. have missed b. have lost c. lost
Exercise 7 COMPLETE the sentences.
1. I ………. (be) in this school for three years
2. We ………. (know) John since 2009
3. Mary ………… (have) a new mobile phone for a couple of months
4. I ……….. (study) English since I was at the primary school
5. My parents ………..(be) married for twenty-five years
6. It ………… (rain) since this morning
7. Tom ………….(play) the guitar for more than ten years
8. I ………… (not/see) George for ages