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All A1 questions for “Can / Can't: Ability, Possibility, Permission - A1 Grammar”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.
1. A: _____ you drive? B: No, I _____. I never learned.
Answer: Can, can't
Questions with can: Can + subject + base verb? Short negative answer: No, I can't.
2. My little sister is only three years old. She _____ read yet.
Answer: can't
can't + base verb (no 'to', no 'not to'): can't read.
Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.
3. You _____ park here for free on Sundays.
Answer: can
Possibility: can + base verb. Can never adds -s for he/she/it.
4. _____ I use your charger? My phone is almost dead.
Answer: Can
Asking for permission: Can + I + base verb? No do/does needed with can.
5. He's an amazing musician. He _____ play five different instruments.
Answer: can
Ability: can + base verb. No -s after can, even with he/she/it.
6. I'm sorry, you _____ bring food into the library.
Answer: can't
Refusing permission: can't + base verb.
7. A: _____ your dog do any tricks? B: Yes, he _____. He can sit, shake hands, and roll over!
Answer: Can, can
Questions: Can + subject + base verb? Short positive answer: Yes, he can.
8. We _____ get a signal here. Let's move outside.
Answer: can't
Possibility (negative): can't + base verb. No signal = it is not possible.
9. She _____ speak Arabic and French. She grew up in Morocco.
Answer: can
Ability: can + base verb. No -s for she: can, not 'cans'.
10. You _____ choose any seat you like. The cinema is almost empty.
Answer: can
Giving permission: can + base verb.
11. I _____ come to the party on Saturday. I have plans already.
Answer: can't
Possibility (negative): can't + base verb. It is not possible for the speaker to come.
1. My brother is really athletic. He ___ run 10 km without stopping.
Answer: can
Ability: can + base verb. No -s after can, even with he/she/it.
2. ___ I open the window? It's very hot in here.
Answer: Can
Asking for permission: Can + I + base verb? No do/does or am/is needed.
3. I'm sorry but you ___ take photos in this gallery.
Answer: can't
Refusing permission: can't + base verb. 'Don't can' is not correct English.
4. A: Can she play chess? B: Yes, she ___.
Answer: can
Short positive answer to a can question: Yes, she can.
5. They ___ to speak English. They just moved here from Korea.
Answer: can't
can't + base verb. Never use 'to' after can or can't.
6. You ___ pay by card or cash. Both are fine.
Answer: can
Possibility: can + base verb to say something is an option.
7. ___ your children swim?
Answer: Can
Questions with can: Can + subject + base verb? No do/does needed.
8. I ___ find my keys anywhere. Have you seen them?
Answer: can't
can't + base verb. It is not possible for the speaker to find them.
9. She ___ dance really well. She takes classes every week.
Answer: can
Ability: can + base verb. No -s for she/he/it.
10. Of course you ___ borrow my bike. I'm not using it today.
Answer: can
Giving permission: can + base verb.
1. My name is Mia and I have a very talented family. My mum _____ speak four languages: English, French, Arabic, and a little Japanese. My dad _____ cook really well. He makes the best pasta I have ever tasted. My older brother Tom is great at sport. He _____ swim incredibly fast and he _____ run a marathon too. I _____ run long distances at all — my knees hurt! But I _____ play the violin. I have been playing since I was six years old. My little sister is only four, so she _____ read yet, but she _____ already count to 20 in two languages! Our dog Max is also quite clever. He _____ sit and shake hands, but he _____ roll over. We tried to teach him but he just looks at us and walks away!
Answer: can, can, can, can, can't, can, can't, can, can, can't
Can + base verb for ability and possibility. Can't + base verb for negative ability. No -s after can, even for he/she/it.
1. she / play / can / guitar / the
Answer: She can play the guitar.
Ability: subject + can + base verb. No -s after can.
2. can / use / I / phone / your / ?
Answer: Can I use your phone?
Asking for permission: Can + I + base verb?
3. can't / he / very / well / swim
Answer: He can't swim very well.
Negative ability: subject + can't + base verb + adverb.
4. here / you / sit / can
Answer: You can sit here.
Giving permission: subject + can + base verb.
5. your / can / sister / drive / ?
Answer: Can your sister drive?
Questions: Can + subject + base verb? No do/does needed.
6. find / I / keys / my / can't
Answer: I can't find my keys.
Negative possibility: subject + can't + base verb.
7. speak / languages / how many / can / you / ?
Answer: How many languages can you speak?
Wh-question with can: Question word + can + subject + base verb?
8. dogs / see / can / colours
Answer: Can dogs see colours?
Questions: Can + subject + base verb? No do/does needed.
9. take / you / photos / here / can't
Answer: You can't take photos here.
Refusing permission: subject + can't + base verb.
10. can / by / pay / card / you
Answer: You can pay by card.
Possibility: subject + can + base verb.
1. You are an English conversation tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A1 student. The grammar focus is: (1) can + base verb for ability, possibility, and permission, (2) can't + base verb for negative ability, impossibility, and refusing permission, (3) Can + subject + base verb for questions, with no do/does needed. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer before continuing. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Tell me three things you can do well and one thing you can't do.' (target: I can cook. I can't drive.) 2. 'Can you speak any languages other than English? How well?' (target: Yes, I can speak a little French. / No, I can't.) 3. 'I am going to pretend I am your boss. Ask me for permission to do something, using Can I...?' (target: Can I leave early today? / Can I take a day off?) 4. 'Tell me about someone in your family. What can they do that you can't?' (target: My brother can play the piano but I can't.) 5. 'Can you do any unusual things? Something most people can't do?' (target: I can juggle. / I can touch my nose with my tongue.) 6. 'I need some help. Can you tell me how to get to the nearest supermarket from here?' (target: You can take bus number... / You can walk, it is not far.) FEEDBACK RULES: - If the student adds -s to can (e.g. 'she cans swim'), recast naturally: 'Oh, she can swim! Is she fast?' - If the student adds 'to' after can (e.g. 'I can to drive'), recast: 'You can drive! That is so useful.' - If the student uses do/does in a question (e.g. 'Does she can cook?'), recast: 'Can she cook? That is a great question!' - Do NOT explain the grammar rule. Only model the correct form in your reply. - After all 6 questions, give one warm sentence of feedback and say goodbye.
1. Question 1