Fill in the blanks.
1I ............... stand on my head. I no longer can.
Wrong!
Use "used to be able to" for a past ability that is no longer true.
2We looked for him everywhere, but we ............... find him anywhere.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't" for inability in a completed past situation.
3"Are you in a hurry to leave?" "No, I ............... wait."
Wrong!
Use "can" to say that something is possible now.
4Excuse me, ............... you possibly speak a little louder?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Could" and "Can" are both possible in this request, but "Could" is more polite.
5............... you finish your job yesterday, or is it still unfinished?
Wrong!
Use "Did" to ask whether an action happened in the past.
6............... able to finish your job yesterday?
Wrong!
Use "Were you" with "able to" to ask about ability in a specific past situation.
7There was no one to disturb me, so I ............... finish my job on time.
Wrong!
Use "was able to" for success in a specific past situation.
8Though there was heavy traffic, we ............... reach on time.
Wrong!
Use "managed to" for success despite a difficulty.
9I forgot to bring my camera, so I ............... take any pictures.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't" to show that something was not possible in a past situation.
10Why did you stay in a hotel? You ............... have stayed with us.
Wrong!
Use "could" before "have stayed" for a past possibility that did not happen.
11What ............... we give her for her birthday? I need your advice.
Wrong!
Use "should" to ask for advice about the best choice.
12Where ............... we hang this picture? You know the room best.
Wrong!
Use "should" to ask for advice about the best place.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- I used to be able to stand on my head. I no longer can.
- We looked for him everywhere, but we couldn’t find him anywhere.
- “Are you in a hurry to leave?” “No, I can wait.”
- Excuse me, Could / Can you possibly speak a little louder?
- Did you finish your job yesterday, or is it still unfinished?
- Were you able to finish your job yesterday?
- There was no one to disturb me, so I was able to finish my job on time.
- Though there was heavy traffic, we managed to reach on time.
- I forgot to bring my camera, so I couldn’t take any pictures.
- Why did you stay in a hotel? You could have stayed with us.
- What should we give her for her birthday? I need your advice.
- Where should we hang this picture? You know the room best.
