Can, could, be able to

CAN/COULD/BE ABLE TO

I. Underline the correct answer(s).
1. We could/were able to finish the football match before it started snowing too heavily.
2. Could you/Were you able to understand Professor Larsen’s lecture? I found it really difficult.
3. Look at me. I can/am be able to ride my bike without any help.
4. The air was so polluted in the city center, I could hardly/ was hardly able to breathe.
5. I knew John had been smoking. I could/ was able to smell the cigarettes when I came into the room.
6. No changes can/ are able to be made to this rail ticket after purchase.
7. She looked all over the house, but couldn’t/ wasn’t able to find her keys anywhere.
8. She swam strongly and could/ was able to cross the river easily even though it was swollen by the heavy rain.
9. – Do you want to play a game?
- Sorry, I can’t /am not able to play chess.
10. When the fire officers arrived, they could/were able to put out the flames in a couple of minutes.
11. I was busy at work, but I could/was able to have a couple of days off last week.
12. Can/Are you able to drive without your glasses?
13. He could/was able to untie the ropes without the guards noticing.
14. No changes can/are able to be made to this rail ticket after purchase.
15. I know John had been smoking. I could/was able to smell cigarettes when I came into the room.
II. Complete sentences, using can/could or (be) able to. Use can/could if possible; otherwise use (be) able to.
1. “_________ you stand on your head?” “I ___________ when I was at school, but I (negative)_________ now”.
2. When I’ve passed my driving test, I ___________ hire a car from our local garage.
3. “I (negative) ___________remember the dress”. “(negative) ___________ you even remember the street?”
4. When the fog lifts, we ___________ see where we are.
5. When I was a child, I (negative) ___________ understand adults, and now I am an adult, I (negative) ___________ understand children.
6. When I first went to Spain, I ___________ read Spanish, but I (negative) ___________ speak it.
7. Don’t try to look at all the pictures in the gallery. Otherwise when you get home, you (negative) ___________ remember any of them.
8. I’m afraid I (negative)______________ come to your party next week.
9. Can you speak up a bit? I (negative)______________ hear you very well.
10. George has traveled a lot. He ______________ speak five languages.
III. Complete sentences, using could or was/were able to. Use could if possible; otherwise use was/were able to.
1. He was very strong; he ______________ ski all day and dance all night.
2. The car plunged into the river. The driver ______________ get out but the passengers were drowned.
3. I was a long way from the stage. I ____________all right but I (negative) __________hear very well.
4. We ______________ borrow umbrellas; so we didn’t get wet.
5. I knew the town so I______________ advise him where to go.
6. When the garage had repaired our car, we ______________ continue our journey.
7. At five years old, he ______________ read very well.
8. When I arrived, everyone was asleep. Fortunately, I ______________ wake my sister and she let me in.
9. The swimmer was very tired but he ______________ reach the shore before he collapsed.
10. The police were suspicious at first but I ______________ persuade them that we were innocent.
IV. Put in could or was/were able to. Use negative when necessary.
1. Suddenly all the lights went out. We ______________ see a thing.
2. The computer went wrong, but luckily Emma______________ put it right again.
3. There was a big party last night. You ______________ hear the music half a mile away.
4. I learned to read music as a child. I ______________ read it when I was five.
5. People heard warnings about the flood and they ______________ move out in time.
6. The train was full. I ______________ find a seat anywhere.
7. Mr. Carter ______________ put out the fire before the house burned down.
8. I looked everywhere for the book, but I ______________ find it.
9. The plane ______________ take off at 11:00 after the fog had lifted.
10. It was so foggy, so