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Can and Can't (ability) – Worksheet 1

A1 Beginner WorksheetEnglish

This A1 worksheet practises can and can't to talk about ability. Learners build positive and negative sentences, questions and short answers through six short exercises that move from controlled to freer practice. It suits beginners in class or at home.

items
36
Time
30 min
PDF
5 pages
Answer key
Included
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New to this topic? Read the guide first: Can and Can't (Ability): Rules, Examples and Common Mistakes

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Type your answers, then press “Check my answers”. Alternative correct answers are accepted.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences

Write can or can't and the verb in brackets. ✓ = yes, ✗ = no.

Example: She ___ (sing). ✓ → can sing

  1. Lucy (speak) English. ✓

  2. My little brother (read). ✗

  3. Cats (talk). ✗

  4. We (play) the piano. ✓

  5. Kenji (ride) a bike. ✓

  6. I (cook) fish. ✗

Exercise 2: Use the words in the box

Complete the sentences with a word from the box. There are two extra words.

Word box swimdrivespeakplayridecookswimsplaying

  1. Fish can , but they can't walk.

  2. Babies can't a car.

  3. Can you Spanish?

  4. My brother can the guitar.

  5. I can a bike, but I can't ride a horse.

  6. Tom can pasta and pizza for dinner.

Exercise 3: Short answers

Match each question with the correct short answer from the box. ✓ = yes, ✗ = no. There are two extra answers.

Word box Yes, I can.No, she can't.Yes, they can.No, he can't.Yes, we can.No, it can't.Yes, I do.No, she doesn't.

  1. Can you swim? ✓

  2. Can Maria drive? ✗

  3. Can your parents dance? ✓

  4. Can Ben speak Italian? ✗

  5. Can you and your sister skate? ✓

  6. Can a penguin fly? ✗

Exercise 4: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite each sentence as shown in brackets.

Example: Mia can swim. (question) → Can Mia swim?

  1. Sara can ski. (negative)

  2. They can dance. (question)

  3. He can read music. (negative)

  4. The cat can open the door. (question)

  5. We can't speak Chinese. (positive)

  6. Leo can play tennis. (question)

Exercise 5: Find the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

Example: He can runs fast. → He can run fast.

  1. She can swims very well.

  2. I can to speak French.

  3. He cans play the piano.

  4. Do you can cook?

  5. They don't can drive.

  6. Can she sings?

Exercise 6: Put the words in order

Put the words in the correct order to make sentences or questions.

Example: can / he / cook → He can cook.

  1. can / I / fast / run

  2. you / can / swim / ?

  3. can't / my / cook / dad

  4. play / can / they / football / ?

  5. the / she / can / guitar / play

  6. ride / Emma / can / a / horse / ?

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About this test

Printable A1 worksheet on can and can't for ability: positive, negative, questions and short answers, with an answer key.

Topics covered

can for abilitycan't / cannotYes/No questions with canShort answersWord order

Notes for teachers

Start by miming actions (swim, cook, play the guitar) and asking 'Can you…?' so students hear the question and short answers before writing. Typical mistakes include adding -s to the verb after can (she can swims), using 'to' (can to speak), and using do in questions (Do you can…?). As a follow-up, students survey classmates with 'Can you…?' questions and report back: 'Ana can ski, but she can't skate.'

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