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Worksheets

Ability in the past

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Benjamin Franklin ______ speak English and French.

a)

could

b)

was able to

c)

succeded in

2.

I looked everywhere, but I ______ find the right street.

a)

could

b)

couldn't

c)

weren't able

3.

(you/convince) ______ her to go out with you?

a)

Were you able to convince

b)

Was you able to convince

c)

Did you could convince

4.

Patricia used to be a professional dancer. She ______ (dance) really well.

a)

could

b)

couldn't

c)

was able to

d)

were able to

5.

We ______ contact you. Was your phone switched off?

a)

could

b)

couldn't

c)

managed to

6.

At the end of the long meeting, we ______ make a decision.

a)

could

b)

were able to

c)

succeded in

7.

I ______ to get to work on time, even if I missed the bus.

a)

was able

b)

could

c)

succeded

8.

My laptop wasn't working properly, but in the end I ______ fix it.

a)

could

b)

was able to

c)

wasn't able to

9.

The speaker ............ to attend the conference due to illness.

a)

couldn't

b)

could

c)

was able

d)

wasn't able

10.

The burglar ............... to get in through the bathroom window even though it was locked.

a)

succeeded

b)

managed

c)

could

11.

She finally ............. to find a job as a waitress.

a)

managed

b)

succeeded

c)

could

12.

We were only at home for a few days and unfortunately we ............ visiting all the people we’d wanted to see.

a)

didn't manage to

b)

didn't succeed in

c)

could

d)

were able to

13.

He loved the water and ......... swim when he was three.

a)

could

b)

couldn't

c)

was able

d)

managed

14.

Scientists ......... in creating a new device.

a)

managed

b)

succeeded

c)

could

d)

were able

15.

All the students .......... completing the task on Quizizz.

a)

managed to

b)

could

c)

succeeded in

d)

was able to