Ability (can/could) Exercises PDFSet 5: Mixed Ability Expressions
20 questions·15 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.She ___ speak four languages by the time she finishes university.
a) couldb) will be able toc) cand) has been able to
2.I ___ help you move house next Saturday if I finish work early.
a) could able tob) can able toc) was able tod) might be able to
3.Despite being only three years old, she ___ already read simple books.
a) canb) couldc) was able tod) will be able to
4.After negotiating for hours, they ___ reach an agreement. (specific past achievement)
a) couldb) canc) were able tod) will be able to
5.We ___ get a taxi after the concert. There were none available.
a) can'tb) wasn't ablec) hasn't been able tod) couldn't
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.will be able to
2.might be able to
3.can
4.were able to
5.couldn't
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."will be able to"(b)
'By the time she finishes' refers to the future. Use 'will be able to' for future ability.
2."might be able to"(d)
'Might be able to' expresses uncertain future ability. After 'might', use 'be able to', not 'can'.
3."can"(a)
'Already' with present context — she has this ability now. Use 'can' for current ability.
4."were able to"(c)
Reaching an agreement was a specific success after effort. Use 'were able to' for one-time past achievements.
5."couldn't"(d)
'After the concert' is past. Use 'couldn't' for past inability. Note: 'wasn't able' is incomplete — it needs 'to'.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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