2. Complete these sentences using the modal verbs can/could or to be able to. Sometimes it is possible to use either; sometimes only to be able to is possible.

1. George has travelled a lot. He can or is able to speak four languages.

2. Tom … drive but he hasn’t got a car.

3. I can’t understand Oscar, I’ve never … understand him.

4. He was very strong; he … ski all day and dance all night.

5. The car plunged into the river. The driver … get out but the passengers were drowned.

6. When you have taken your degree you … put letters after your name?

7. Don’t try to look at all the pictures in the gallery. Otherwise when you get home you … remember any of them.

8. Ask Ann about your problems. She should … help you.

9. I was a long way from the stage. I … see all right but I … hear very well.

10. I just seem to know nobody who I … ring and say I just feel awful and I haven’t a penny.

11. We … borrow umbrellas; so we didn’t get wet.

12. … you walk or did they have to carry you?

3. Fill in the gaps using the modal verbs can/could or to be able to plus a notional verb.

1. Did you persuade Jennifer? ~ We tried hard but we couldn’t persuade her to come with us.

2. I can’t sing now but I … very well when I was a child.

3. He can’t play tennis very well now but he … quite well when he was younger.

4. When she was at school she … faster than anyone else.

5. Did they find your house? ~ Yes, it took them a long time but they …

6. Did you win the match? ~ Yes, it wasn’t easy but I …

7. Ten years ago I … from one side of the lake to the other.

8. Did the thief escape? ~ Yes, the policemen chased the thief but he …

9. I looked everywhere for the book but I …

10. The fire spread quickly but everyone…

4. Fill in the blanks with a modal verb to talk about unrealized past ability.

1. We didn’t go out last night. We could have gone to the cinema but we decided to stay at home.

2. I … to the concert but I changed my mind.

3. He … the examination but he decided not to.

4. Fanny … a new car but she hadn’t got enough money.

5. Frank … me to mend my car but he didn’t want to do it.

6. Why didn’t you stop all that? You …some way.

7. Ken … his aunt to the station but he had no driving licence at that moment.

8. Jack … Edward £50 but he didn’t want to.

5. Use the modal verb can/could followed by the appropriate infinitive.

1. You can’t have done (not to do) it. I don’t believe it.

2. She … not (to stay) at her friends all time.

3. I … (to help) him but I didn’t know he needed help.

4. Such problems … not (to solve) easily.

5. How … she (to work) in the garden now? It is already dark.

6. I simply … not (to refuse). They would have been hurt.

7. He wasn’t old. … he … not (to be) more than forty.

8. They … not (to be) sister and brother.

9. She is too young. She … not (to suffer from) constantly from insomnia.

10. … he … (to be operated) on?

6. Paraphrase the following sentences using the modal verb can in the meaning of astonishment, uncertainty or doubt.

1. Is it possible that she is still running a high temperature? – Can/could she be still running a high temperature?

2. Is it possible that she is still worrying over such a trifle?

3. Do you believe that they live under bad conditions?

4. Do you believe that the patient has recovered?

5. It’s hardly possible that she is in now.

6. It’s impossible that the child is shivering with cold. He’s warmly wrapped up.