Question

Complete the sentences using could/couldn't or was/were able to. 1. Her grandparents were multilingual. They... speak six foreign languages. 2. Though the day was rather windy the firemen... put the fire out in less than ten minutes. 3. Linda loved sewing greatly. She... make her clothes without any help. 4. He... do this, if he tried. 5. Even though I hurt my leg I... swim back to the boat. 6. She... enter the university as she knew the material well enough. 7. ... you speak English before you went to London? — Unfortunately I... not speak it very well. 8. Doreen had a terrible sore-throat. It was very difficult for her to swallow but she... drink a cup of broth. 9. Did you buy any fresh fruit? — Oh, it was really a problem, I... buy it in the market. 10. I was sure I... get to the top of the mountain. 11. Happily Ann... swim across the river, otherwise she would have drowned. 12. As he was not interrupted he... finish his work by the evening. 13. I'm sorry but I... not come to the party on Sunday. 14. They were a long way from the stage. They... see all right but they... not hear very well. 15. The police were suspicious at first but I... convince them that we were innocent. 16. I had no key so I... not lock the door. 17. When the garage had repaired our car we... continue our journey. 18. George played tennis well but he... not beat Graham. 19. The car fell down into the river. The driver... get out but the passengers sank. 20. At five years old he... compose poems and everyone approved of them.

Answer 1

1. could
2. were able to
3. could
4. was able to
5. were able to
6. was able to
7. could, could
8. was able to
9. was able to
10. could
11. could.
12. was able to
13. could not
14. could, could not
15. was able to
16. was not able to
17. could
18. could not
19. was able to
20. could

Answer 2

1. Her grandparents were multilingual. They could speak six foreign languages. 2. Though the day was rather windy, the firemen were able to put the fire out in less than ten minutes. 3. Linda loved sewing greatly. She was able to make her clothes without any help. 4. He could do this if he tried. 5. Even though I hurt my leg, I was able to swim back to the boat. 6. She was able to enter the university as she knew the material well enough. 7. Could you speak English before you went to London? — Unfortunately, I couldn't speak it very well. 8. Doreen had a terrible sore-throat. It was very difficult for her to swallow, but she could drink a cup of broth. 9. Did you buy any fresh fruit? — Oh, it was really a problem, I couldn't buy it in the market. 10. I was sure I could get to the top of the mountain. 11. Happily Ann was able to swim across the river; otherwise, she would have drowned. 12. As he was not interrupted, he was able to finish his work by the evening. 13. I'm sorry, but I couldn't come to the party on Sunday. 14. They were a long way from the stage. They could see all right, but they couldn't hear very well. 15. The police were suspicious at first, but I was able to convince them that we were innocent. 16. I had no key so I couldn't lock the door. 17. When the garage had repaired our car, we were able to continue our journey. 18. George played tennis well, but he couldn't beat Graham. 19. The car fell down into the river. The driver was able to get out, but the passengers sank. 20. At five years old, he could compose poems and everyone approved of them.