We use could + verb in the infinitive without to when we talk about things

a person (people) was/were able to do in a determined time in the past:

Sarah couldnt read when she was 4. Now she reads one book a week.
Complete the sentences according to what you or other people could or couldnt do at a determined time in
the past:
1. I ____________________________________ a bike very well when I was 6. [to ride]
2. I ____________________________________ when I was 10. [to read]
3. I ____________________________________ when I was 5. [to swim]
4. I ____________________________________ when I was 8. Now I speak English very well. [to speak English]
5. Dad ____________________________________ a car when he was ________. [to drive]
6. Mom _____________________________________ dive when she was ______. [to dive]
7. _____________________________________________ when ___ was 6. [to write]
8. __________________________________________________________________. [to count]
9. ___________________________________________________________________. [to surf]
10. __________________________________________________________________. [to download tunes]
11. ______________________________________________________________. [to stay home alone]
12. ______________________________________________________________. [to go out on weekends]
13. ______________________________________________________________. [to row a boat]
14. ______________________________________________________________. [to use the computer]
15. ______________________________________________________________. [to roller skate]
16. ______________________________________________________________. [to write a composition]
17. ______________________________________________________________. [to cook]
18. ______________________________________________________________. [to play the piano]
19. ______________________________________________________________. [to run pretty fast]
20. ______________________________________________________________. [to fish]
Ask and answer questions about Anna and Leo. Number one is done for you.
1) Could Anna sing very well when she was 5? No, she couldnt.
2) _________________________________________________________________
3) _________________________________________________________________
4) _________________________________________________________________
5) _________________________________________________________________
6) _________________________________________________________________
7) _________________________________________________________________
8) _________________________________________________________________
9) _________________________________________________________________
10) ________________________________________________________________
11) ________________________________________________________________
12) ________________________________________________________________
13) ________________________________________________________________
14) ________________________________________________________________
15) ________________________________________________________________
16) ________________________________________________________________
17) ________________________________________________________________
18) ________________________________________________________________
19) ________________________________________________________________
20) ________________________________________________________________
13

14

15

16

1
1

10

11

19

17
18

9 1

12

20