This document contains exercises about ability using modal verbs like can, could, be able to. The exercises include reordering sentences, adding punctuation, completing sentences, matching meanings, filling in modal verbs, and matching questions to answers. The document provides practice with ability in present, past and future tenses.

1. Worksheet 5
Ability ( can-could – be able to)
by Mr.Samir Bounab at Yellowdaffodil66@gmail.com.
Exercise1: Re-order the following words to make correct sentences.
kite could I Play 5 With Was a old years I .

please could you window ? open the

but can I speak Can’t English Spanish Speak .

students Be able to at Secondary languages study the will Foreign school .

Exercise 2 : Supply the correct punctuation and capital letters where necessary.
1.algeria will be able to take part in can 2013 in south Africa
2.algerian footballers could do a great exploit couldn’t they
3.learners at middle school can study 2 foreign languages french and english
Exercise 3 : Complete the sentences with : “ can – can’t‐ or couldn’t”
and the verbs in brackets ( ).
1. You don’t have to shout . I ……………….( hear) you very well.
2. I ………………………( watch) that programme last night because I had to
go out.
3. He………………..( play) last week because he was injured.
4. He eats in restaurants all the time because he ………………………..(cook)
5. I……………………(give) you a lift in my car because it isn’t working at
the moment.
6. I didn’t have a good seat in the theatre, so I …………..( see) the stage
well.
7. John doesn’t need a calculator.He…………………….(do) very difficult
sums in his head.
8. She’s very good at music .She ……………..(play) three instruments.
9. I ………….(find) my address book.Have you seen it?
10. He spoke very quickly and I ………………………….(understand)
anything he said.
(Adapted from Oxford Practice Grammar 2008)
Exercise 4: Use the words in brackets ( ) to complete each sentence
,with “can –can’t –could or couldn’t”
I. Sarah phoned Jane yesterday.( They/not/talk/for a long time, because Jane
had to go out.)
 She ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
II. Grandma needs her glasses .(She/not see/anything without her glasses)
 She……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
III. Mary won her race. ( She was so tired after the race that she/not/stand up.)
 She………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
IV. (Last year , Robert/beat/his younger brother at chess.) But he can’t beat
him now.
 Last year, ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
V. John and Anna have a wonderful view from their hotel room. (
They/see/the whole of the city.)
 They ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Adapted from Oxford Practice Grammar 2008)

2.
Exercise 5 : What do the following sentences mean ? Match the pairs.
Sentence Meaning
1‐ I could stand my head when I was a child. a‐ Ordering
2‐ I will be able to use English when I go abroad. b‐ Talking about present and past ability
3‐ I can swim ,but I can’t box. c‐Making suppositions
4‐ I was able to pass my Finale Primary Exam. d‐ Talking about past abilities
5‐ Babies can’t walk , can they ? e‐ achievement
6‐ Revise your lessons! f‐ Talking about future abilities
1 2 3 4 5 6
Exercise 6 : The text below is taken from a project on man’s capabilities. Read it and use
the appropriate modal with the verbs between brackets.
There are many things that people (to do) ..............today that they not (to do) .........years ago.
For example , people (to fly)............across the oceans, they even (to go)..............to the moon
spaceships.
However, Man’s present ability to fly is the result of past achievements by exceptional pilots
like the Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh .The former (fly) . ..............the first plane in
1903 whereas the former (make)...............the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic in
1927.In the near future , people (commute)...............by air taxis. He (go)...... to space by tele‐
transportation
Exercise 7: Match the question s with the answers.
Questions Answers
1‐ What could you study at Primary School?
2‐ what subjects could you study well?
3‐ What final exam were you able to pass?
4‐ What new language can you study now at middle school?
5‐ Could you study French at Primary School?
6‐ Will you be able to speak both French and English?
a‐ Yes , I could
b‐ I was able to pass the Final Primary Exam.
c‐ I could Study Arabic & French.
d‐ I will be able to speak both them.
e‐ I could study Arabic well.
f‐ I can study English now.
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6
answer