PASTPRESENT

Have the ability to docouldwas / were able tocanbe able to

Not have the ability to docouldntwasnt / werent able tocantnot be able to

A- Fill in the gaps using a suitable modal verb for ability.

1. My car has broken down, so I ________________ pick you up from school today.2. I had a lot of work to do, but I ________________ finish it all in time.3. How many instruments ________________ you play?4. ________________ you read when you were six?5. The washing machine isnt working, and I ________________ repair it. Call a technician.6. After the operation, he ________________ walk for a week.7. ________________you________________ ride your motorbike with a broken leg?8. My sister ________________ swim very well, but she is having lessons.9. ________________he________________ delete the virus from the computer yesterday?10. We ________________ get a good signal in the sitting room. Its really weak.11. Cheetahs ________________ reach a speed of 4120 km/hr, but they ________________ keep it up for a long time.12. Jill ________________ understand Chinese, but she ________________ write it.13. We ________________ see anything because there was a woman wearing a big hat in front of us.14. He talked for ages and in the end he ________________ convince us.15. He was so drunk that he ________________ open the door.16. Something is wrong with the computer. I ________________ connect to the internet.17. Why ________________ you help me with my homework?18. Donald ________________ find a job last week despite the difficult job market.19. ________________ your father play golf well?20. My son ________________ walk when he was eight months old.Answer key:1. cant2. was able to3. can4. Could5. cant / am able to6. wasnt able to/ couldnt7. Are you able to8. cant9. Was he able to10. cant/ arent able to11. are able to / can12. can; cant13. couldnt / werent able to14. was able to15. couldnt / wasnt able to16. cant/ am not able to17. cant / arent you able to18. was able to19. Can20. could