Ability (can/could) Exercises PDFSet 2: Could & Couldn't: Past Ability

20 questions·12 min·Answers included·Explanations included

Preview: Questions

Fill in the blank with the correct option.

1.When I was young, I ___ climb trees easily.

a) canb) wasc) couldd) did

2.She ___ read when she was four years old.

a) couldb) canc) wasd) did

3.We ___ afford a holiday last year. We didn't have enough money.

a) can'tb) didn't couldc) not couldd) couldn't

4.My grandfather ___ speak five languages when he was younger.

a) canb) couldc) wasd) is able

5.___ you swim at all when you were a child?

a) Canb) Didc) Couldd) Were

... and 15 more questions in the PDF

1.could

2.could

3.couldn't

4.could

5.Could

... and 15 more answers in the PDF

1."could"(c)

Use 'could' to talk about a general ability you had in the past. 'When I was young' signals past time.

2."could"(a)

Use 'could' for a general ability someone had in the past. She had this ability at age four.

3."couldn't"(d)

Use 'couldn't' (= could not) for past inability. 'Didn't could' and 'not could' are not correct.

4."could"(b)

Use 'could' for a general past ability. 'When he was younger' clearly signals a past time period.

5."Could"(c)

Use 'Could + subject + base verb?' to ask about past ability. The phrase 'when you were a child' confirms past time.

... and 15 more explanations in the PDF

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