I can swim but I can’t dive well. My sister can play the guitar. We can speak a little Spanish. He can run fast for a short time. They can cook very tasty soup. I can’t drive yet. You can borrow my umbrella. Can I sit here? Can we open the window? You can use my charger if you need it. Can she join the meeting online? The museum says we can take photos. We can’t park on this street. I can help you after lunch. He can’t come today because he is sick. Can they pay by card? I can learn new words every day. We can practice together after work.
Level: A1
Can / Can’t — Abilities & Permission
Talking about what is possible and asking politely.
CEFR A1 · 112 words · ~1 min read · US English
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Words to know
- swim
- to move through water using your arms and legs
- dive
- to jump into water with your head and arms first
- guitar
- a musical instrument with strings that you play with your fingers
- tasty
- very good and pleasant to eat
- umbrella
- a thing you hold over your head to stay dry in the rain
- charger
- a thing you use to give power to a phone battery
- online
- using the internet, not in person
Check your understanding
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What can the writer's sister do?
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Play the guitar — The text says: My sister can play the guitar.
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What can people do at the museum?
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Take photos — The text says: The museum says we can take photos.
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When can the writer help?
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After lunch — The text says: I can help you after lunch.
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The writer can drive
Show answer
False — The text says the writer cannot drive yet.
📘 Learn this grammar: Modal verbs (can, must, should…)
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