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Modals expressing ability

Total questions: 13

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

I ________ speak English really well (I am able to do it)

a)

can

b)

could have

c)

could

d)

Sergio Ramos

2.

I __________ swim by the age of three (it was possible to do it - general ability in the past)

a)

can

b)

was able to

c)

could

d)

Sergio Ramos

3.

In the end, UEFA _____________ move the Euros to 2021 (managed to/succeeded in doing it on one specific occasion)

a)

Sergio Ramos

b)

could

c)

can

d)

was able to

4.

My friend was turned away at the door, but she...

a)

was able to get in at another club

b)

could get in at another club

c)

um...

d)

Sergio Ramos

5.

Which sentence(s) contain the correct modal, talking about the past using a negative?

a)

I can't finish the exam paper, so I left the hall with 30 minutes remaining

b)

I wasn't able to finish the exam paper, so I left the hall with 30 minutes remaining

c)

I couldn't finish the exam paper, so I left the hall with 30 minutes remaining

d)

Sergio Ramos

6.

In the past, we use 'could'

a)

only when speaking in general

b)

Pardon, could you repeat that, please?

c)

only when speaking on Tuesdays

d)

Sergio Ramos

7.

In the past we use, 'was/were able to' when...

a)

in Rome

b)

will you return my class, it's like, been ages

c)

speaking about something done successfully on one specific occasion

d)

Sergio Ramos

8.

We use 'couldn't' and 'wasn't/weren't able to' in the past when...

a)

speaking in general

b)

speaking about one specific occasion

c)

Sergio Ramos

d)

getting down

9.

We use 'be able to' after

a)

dinner

b)

eights

c)

an infinitive, for example, 'to be able to speak English'

d)

Sergio Ramos

10.

We use 'able to' with which tense(s)

a)

present

b)

perfect

c)

future

d)

Sergio Ramos

11.

We use 'be able to' after modal verbs...

a)

might

b)

should

c)

may

d)

Sergio Ramos

12.

When you finish this lesson, you

a)

can use modals correctly

b)

I'm sorry, could you repeat that again, please?

c)

should be able to use modals correctly

d)

Sergio Ramos

13.

Despite his injury he...

a)

managed to score an overhead kick (succeeded and it was difficult)

b)

could score an overhead kick

c)

Pardon?

d)

Sergio Ramos