See hear smell taste feel remember understand
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 507.
• When we went into the house, we could smell burning.
• She spoke in a very low voice, but I could understand what she said:
We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or permission to do something: e My grandfather could speak five languages.
• We were completely free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do...)
We use could for general ability. But if we are talking about what happened in a particular situation, we use was/were able to... or managed to... (not could):
• The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody was able to escape.
or ...everybody managed to escape, (but not 'could escape')
• They didn't want to come with us at first but we managed to persuade them.
or ...we were able to persuade them, (but not 'could persuade')
Compare:
• Jack was an excellent tennis player. He could beat anybody. (= he had the general
ability to beat anybody)
But
· Jack and Alf had a game of tennis yesterday. Alf played very well but in the end Jack
managed to beat him. or ...was able to beat him. (= he managed to beat him in this
particular game)
The negative couldn't (could not) is possible in all situations:
• My grandfather couldn't swim.
• We tried hard but we couldn't persuade them to come with us.
• Alf played well but he couldn't beat Jack.
Exercise 8. Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to.
1 Model: George has travelled a lot. He ...can... speak four languages.
2 I haven't ....been able to... sleep very well recently.
3 Sandra…………… drive but she hasn't got a car.
4 I can't understand Martin. I've never…….. understand him.
5 I used to………….. stand on my head but I can't do it now.
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 9. Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.
1 Model: (something you used to be able to do) I used to be able to sing well.
2 (something you used to be able to do) I used……………………….
3 (something you would like to be able to do)
I'd………………………………………………………………………
4 (something you have never been able to do)
I've……………………………………………………………………
Exercise 10. Complete the sentences with can / can't / could / couldn't + one of these verbs:
come eat hear run sleep wait
1 Model: I'm afraid I ...can't come to your party next week.
2 When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. 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 up a bit? I………………………………………... you very well.
6 'You look tired.' 'Yes, I………………………………………………... last night.'
Exercise 11. Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to.
1 Model: A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
B: Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody ...was able to escape.
2 A: Did you have difficulty finding Ann's house?
B: Not really. Ann had given us good directions and we…………………….
3 A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
B: Yes. There was nobody to disturb me, so…………………………………
3 A: Did the thief get away?
B: No, he didn't. Luckily he ……….………
Exercise 12. Complete the sentences using could, couldn't or was/were able to.
1 Model: My grandfather was a very clever man. He ...could.. speak five languages.
2 I looked everywhere for the book but I ...couldn't... find it.
3 They didn't want to come with us at first but we ...were able to... persuade them.
4 Laura had hurt her leg and………………………………. walk very well.
5 Sue wasn't at home when I phoned but I………… contact her at her office
6 I looked very carefully and I…………….. see a figure in the distance.
7 I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn't have any but I
…………... get some in the next shop.
8 My grandmother loved music. She……………… play the piano very well.
9 A girl fell into the river but fortunately we……………… rescue her.
Exercise 13. Choose the correct answer (answers)
1. The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody...........................................
A was able to escape  managed to escape Ñ could escape
2. The phone is ringing. It................................... be Tim.
A might  can Ñ could
3. Why did you stay at a hotel when you went to New York? You...................................................
with Barbara.
A can stay  could stay Ñ could have stayed
4. I've lost one of my gloves. I................................... it somewhere.
A must drop  must have dropped Ñ must be dropping D must have been ropping
5. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It......................................... ram later.
A may  might Ñ can D could
6. What was wrong with you? Why................................... go to hospital?
A had you to  did you have to Ñ must you
7. There's plenty of time. You................................... hurry.
A don't have to  mustn't Ñ needn't
8. It was a great party last night. You..................................... come. Why didn't you?
A must have  should have Ñ ought to have D had to
9. Jane............................. a car.
A suggested that I buy  suggested that I should buy Ñ suggested me to buy
10. I think all drivers................................. seat belts.
A should wear  had better wear Ñ had better to wear
11. It's late It's time................................ home.
A we go  we must go Ñ we should go D we went
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