2. Explanation Affirmative Sentences and Questions Both could and was/were able to can be used when talking about abilities or skills that existed during an extended period of time. In such cases, there is no difference in meaning between could and was/were able to.

3. When Erzhan was in high school, he was on the high school track team. a. He could run the 800 meter race very well b. He was able to run the 800 meter race very well. Both a. and b. have the same meaning. c. Was Erzhan able to run the 800 meter race well? d. Could Russell run the 800 meter race well? Both c. and d. have the same meaning.

4. When talking about actions or abilities that were repeated, both could and was/were able to can be used e. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we were able to see the sun rise every morning. f. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we could see the sun rise every morning. Both e. and f. have the same meaning.

5. Use only was/were able to in affirmative sentences and questions when talking about actions or abilities that occurred only one time in the past. Darryl's car had a flat tire yesterday, so he took the bus to work. g. He was able to fix the tire when he got home from work. h. Incorrect-->He could fix the tire when he got home from work. i. Was Darryl able to fix the flat tire when he got home?

6. Negative Sentences Both could and was/were able to can be used in negative sentences. There is no change in meaning. He couldn't run the 800 meter race very well. He wasn't able to run the 800 meter race very well. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we were not able to see the sun rise every morning. When we were staying at the hotel on the beach, we could not see the sun rise every morning. Kubat wasn't able to drive his car yesterday. Kubat couldn't drive his car yesterday.

7. A: Brad Pitt was really strong when he was younger. He used to be able to lift 200 pounds. B: That's pretty strong. a ability over a period of time b one action in the past c a repeated action in the past

8. Eva Longoria wasn't able to get to work on time today because of the traffic. a ability over a period of time b one action in the past c a repeated action in the past

9. I ________ find the papers I had misplaced yesterday. a could b was able to c Both A and B

10. They _______________ get in the laboratory because the door was locked. ? couldn't ? weren't able to ? Both A and B

11. You said you were going to talk to Michael Jackson yesterday. __________________ talk to him? ? Could you ? Were you able to ? Both A and B

12. When you went to the class room, ________find the jacket you were looking for? ? could you ? were you able to ? Both A and B

13. Last year the company ____________sell more products over the Internet than in stores. ? was able to ? could ? Both A and B

14. The workers ______________ make repairs on the road last weekend. a could b were able to c Both A and B

15. We ________________ buy a house until we had saved enough money for a down payment. It was a long wait but it was worth it. a weren't able to b couldn't c Both A and B

16. When I had a lot of money, I _________________ go shopping every day. a could b was able to c Both A and B

17. When you worked at the restaurant, ________________ get free meals? a could you b were you able to c Both A and C

18. 1. Emma Roberts _______ type 80 words per minute. may Can could has to

19. 2. Angelina Jolie _____ speak English and German. May can could has to

20. 3. Tom's teacher says that he _____ play the violin pretty well in half a year. can could will be able to will have to

21. 5. I'm sure that miss Nina ______ explain everything when she returns. can could will be able to will have to

22. Affirmative Past (Ability) • I could dance when I was a boy. • You were able to dance Chinese Present (Ability) He can speak German. She is able to speak German. Future (Ability) We can go there tomorrow. They will be able to go there tomorrow.

23. Negative Past (Ability) • I couldn.t dance when I was a boy. You weren.t able to dance Chinese when I was a boy. Present (Ability) He can.t speak German. She is not able to speak German. Future (Ability) We can.t go there tomorrow. They won.t be able to go there tomorrow.

24. Questions Past (Ability) Could you dance when you were a boy? Were you able to dance when you were a boy? Present (Ability) Can he speak German? Is she able to speak German? Future (Ability) Can it come tomorrow? Will they be able to go there tomorrow?