Modal Exercises

Put in 'can', 'can't', 'could' or 'couldn't'. If none of these is possible use 'be able to' in the correct tense.

1. You .........swim when you were 10?
2. We ...................get to the meeting on time yesterday, because the train was delayed by one hour.
3. He .........arrive at the party on time, even after missing the train, so he was very pleased.
4. He's amazing, he....... speak five languages, including Chinese.
5. I ........drive a car until I was 34. Then I moved to the countryside, so I had to learn.
6. I ......... looked everywhere for my glasses but I find them anywhere.
7. I searched for your house for ages. luckily I ........find it in the end.
8. She's seven years old, but she........ read yet. Her parents are getting her extra lessons.
9. I read the book three times, but I ...... understand it.
10. James ........speak Japanese when he lived in Japan, but he's forgotten most of it now.
11. I .........understand the chapter we had to read for homework. It was so difficult.
12. I ........lift this box - it's too heavy! Would you help me?
13. Lucy......... make it to our meeting after all. She's stuck in traffic.
14. John .....play tennis really well. He's champion of his club.
15. Unfortunately, I ........really sing at all. No-one in my family is musical either.
16. When the car broke down I was really pleased because I .........solve the problem.
17. Julian.......... play excellent golf when he was only ten.
18. My grandmother......... use a computer until last month. Since then she's been taking lessons at the library.
19. I........ open this window! I think it's stuck.
20. Gill.......... play the piano. She has never studied it.