Exercise 14. Read the following sentences. Comment on them, using the verb can and the proper form of the infinitive. Give as many different suggestions as you can.

Example: Peter has read "Vanity Fair" by Thackeray in the original. A: It is not surprising that he could read it. He has been studying English for 3 years already. B: He can read more English books in the original now. C: He can't have read it. He doesn't know English well enough yet.

1. Mary speaks English well. 2. Peter passed that dif­ficult examination well. 3. My friend began to study French. 4. Several books have been lost from the library. 5. I hope the weather will be fine tomorrow. 6. We don't know which cinema to choose. 7. It is still possible for us to catch our train if we make haste. 8. We have arranged to go to the South in summer. 9. I'll come if I have time. 10. When Peter got to school the lessons had already begun. 11. The train had already left when we got to the station. 12. If you leave at 2 o'clock you will be there before dark. 13. Someone has taken my textbook by mistake. 14. I have forgotten to post your letters. 15. My teacher wants me to work harder.

 

Exercise 15. Complete the following sentences.

1. You can't prevent me from…. 2. I can't bring myself to believe.... 3. How could I blame you for...? 4. I could never help thinking that.... 5. One couldn't help feeling.... 6. I couldn't bring myself to.... 7. One can't expect that.... 8. You can't deny that…. 9. I couldn't make out.... 10. I couldn't forget that.... 11. One can readily appreciate.... 12. Can I bring you...? 13. I can assure you that.... 14. I couldn't but wonder…. 15. You can't take advantage of…. 16. I can't be expected…. 17. I can't afford…. 18. He couldn't help smiling…. 19. He surely could not, mean…. 20. You can't be serious…. 21. You can't have forgotten.... 22. I can't tell you how....

 

Exercise 16. Complete the following sentences using the modal verb can.

1. He lost his eyeglasses and he…. 2. He knows English well, he.... 3. "Interesting book?" — "Very. You…." 4. I wanted to see what I …. 5. Since I was working at the office all day…. 6. I cannot under­stand how you…. 7. Really, Nick, I don't see why you.... 8. The mist lay heavy in the garden.... 9. Until he came nearer…. 10. Is there anything...? 11. I had no idea that.... 12. I am afraid I.... 13. She dialed the number but…. 14. She said there wasn't much…. 15. It's ridiculous to suppose…. 16. They do every­thing they….

 

Exercise 17. Make up short dialogues with the following statements.

1. Could I see you this evening? 2. She can have anything she asks. 3. Can I speak to you about something? 4. Could you spare me a moment? 5. Can I get you a cup of coffee or something? 6. I can't make out what you mean. 7. I've just looked round to see if there is anything I can do to help before you start. 8. I cannot understand how you can talk like that. 9. Can you get here by 10 o'clock? 10. How can you be so obstinate? 11. You can't be serious! 12. You certainly couldn't do anything of the sort. 13. It's so absurd. I can't even be angry with you.

Exercise 18. Read the dialogue and state the meaning of the modal verb can. Recast the dialogue into a story using can.

Nora: Harry, something has gone wrong with my electric iron. I wondered if you could put it right?

Harry: Why, what's the trouble?

Nora: I don't know but it doesn't work.

Harry: Oh, let's have a look at it. I'm not an electri­cian, but perhaps I can see what's the matter.

Nora: I plugged it in this morning, and for a little while it worked beautifully, but then it suddenly went off — So it must be the iron itself that's wrong.

Harry: No, wait a minute. It may be the plug, or the flex. Oh, Nora! Look at this! One of the wires has come right away from the plug. No wonder the iron didn't work.

Nora: Do you think you could mend it?

Harry: Easily.

Nora: Don't you need a screwdriver?

Harry: No, I can do the whole job with my penknife. You know, Nora, if I can light the fire, or cook break­fast I don't see why you can't mend a piece of wire.

Nora: I know, darling, I'm so ashamed, but I'm afraid of electricity.

Harry: But my dear Nora — if you pull the plug out of the socket there can't be any electricity in the wire!