M1: Language Usage

Instructional objective

You will be able to express about permission, ability, asking someone to do something with “Can and Can’t”

Video 1 : Expression with “Can and Can’t

Watch the video carefully and practice

Express an ability, permission, asking ones to do something with “Can and Could

The use of Can and Can’t  is to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities:

For example :  She can buy airplane ticket on line.
                        He can swim in the beach.
                        They can’t go for traveling.

The use of Could and Could is to ask someone to do something or asking for permission.

For example  : She could English very well.
                        They couldn’t swim in the sea.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct, most natural-sounding response according to the context of the conversation:

DILA : Hello. I _____________ two tickets to Palembangr, please, for the 8:00 PM train.
a. would buy             b. would like              c. would sell

RESEPTIONIST : Business  or executive-class?
DILA : What’s the _____________ between the two?
a. difference in price             b. different price        c. cheaper

RESEPTIONIST : Business class tickets are Rp. 125.00 each and executive class tickets are  Rp. 170.000 each.

DILA : I’ll take two executive class tickets. Can I buy the ____________ tickets now as  well?
a. round                     b. return                      c. back

RESEPTIONIST : If you like… When would you like to come back?

Exercise 2

Choose the correct, most natural-sounding response according to the context of the conversation:

RAISYA : Is there a train that ____________  Bogor in the afternoon on Monday?
a. Leaves                   b. goes to                    c. arrives in

RESEPTIONIST : Yes… there’s a train from Jakarta to Bogor leaving daily      at 4:00 PM… Would you like me to book two tickets for you?
RAISYA : Yes, ________________. Second-class as well.
a. can be                    b. can do                     c. please do

RAISYA: Hello. _____________ two tickets to Bogor, please, for the 5:00 PM bus.
a. Would I purchase b. Could I give           c. Could I get

RESEPTIONIST : Sure. That’ll be Rp.100.000.
RAISYA : Oh, I thought these tickets were _____________?
a. Low                       b. on sale                    c. so expensive

RESEPTIONIST : They are, but only when you book two weeks in advance.
RAISYA : OK, no problem… I’ll take them. How much ____________ they were?
a. did you pay           b. did you sell             c. did you say

RESEPTIONIST : Rp. 100.000. You did want one-way tickets, not round-trip, right?
RAISYA : That’s right. Can I pay by ______________?
a. credit card             b. Credit                     c. a credit

RESEPTIONIST : No, I’m sorry, we only accept cash.
RAISYA : OK, could you tell me where the nearest ________________ ( = cash      machine)  is?
a. VIP                       b. ATM                       c. KLM

RESEPTIONIST : There’s one in the bank across the street from here.

Exercise 3

Choose the correct answer

1. _____ he understand what you were talking about?
 a. Could
 b. Cans
 c. Coulded

2. My sister _____ play tennis now.
 a. can to
 b. can
 c. will can

3. I _____ walk when I was less than a year old.
 a. can
b. could
c. have can

4. (Polite) _____ you tell me what time it is, please?
 a. Could
 b. Can
 c. Will

5. My grandfather ________ walk without any help last night.

 a. can
 b. could
 c. was able to

6. I would like to ________ play the piano.
 a. can
 b. could
 c. be able to

7. How long have you ________ drive?
 a. can
 b. coulded
 c. been able to

8. I’ll ________ help you later.
a. can
b. could
c. be able to

9. Can you help me? I ________ never understand this.
  a. can
 b. cannot
 c. am able to

10. Will people ________ live forever one day?
 a. could be
b. be able to
c. could be able to

More exercises :

You may have more exercises by following this link:

  1. can, could, to be able to – Exercise
  2. can, could, be able to Quiz