Expressing Capabilities

A. Study the dialogue below!
1. Valet : Laundry, may I help you?
   Guest : I need a button sewn on a shirt. Can you do it for me?
   Valet : Yes, Sir. We will be able to have it done for you.
   Guest : Thank you. By the way, can I get it back before 5 p.m.?
   Valet : Certainly, Sir. I’ll send someone up for it immediately.

2. Interviewer : I wonder if you can operate Microsoft Windows.
    Interviewee : Yes, Ma’am. I can operate Word, Excel, and Power Point as well. Besides, I’m able to
                       take short hands.
    Interviewer : Good. Can you speak Japanese or Chinese?
    Interviewee : I’m sorry, Ma’am. I can’t either speak Japanese or Chinese.

3. Customer : My motorcycle can’t run more than 60 kilometers per hour. It could run to
                     110 kilometers before. What can you do?
    Mechanic : Let us check the engine and find out what is wrong with it.
    Customer : Can you fix it if the problem is major?
    Mechanic : We’ll see what we can do and let you know the result.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

NO	EXAMPLES	EXPLANATION
1.	I can swim very well	Can expresses capability in the present.
2.	I can’t either speak Japanese or Chinese	Can’t is the negative form of Can. It may be written can’t or cannot.
3.	The car could speed up to 200 km/hour before it was broken.	Could expresses ability in the past. Could is the past form of Can.
4.	I couldn’t ride motorbike when I was a child.	Couldn’t is the negative form of could.
5.	I am able to operate Microsoft Power Point quite well.	Be able to is another term expresses capability in the present. Be: am, is, are, have been, has been
6.	I was able to run 12 kilometers before I got twisted ankle.	Be able to is also used in the past. Be: was, were
7.	Mary will be able to take a make up exam.	Be able to is also used in future. Be: will
8.	Mr. and Mrs. Miller were unable to find an inexpensive apartment.	Be unable to is the negative form of be able to.

  

B. Read the text below then answer the questions!

 

A Teenage Genius

Ivan Mirsky was born in Russia but now lives in America with his father, Vadim. They live in a one-room flat in Brooklyn.

Ivan doesn’t go to school and his father doesn’t have a job. They practice chess problem all day, every day.

Ivan was different from a very young age: he could ride a bike when he was eighteen months old, and read before he was two. He could play cards at three and piano at four. When he was twelve, he was the under-20 chess champion in Russia.

His father can’t speak English and can’t play chess either.

Ivan translates for him. Vadim says,” I know that I can’t play chess, but I can still help Ivan. We don’t like playing sports or watching TV. We live for chess”.

Taken from: Headway, Liz & John Soars

       

1. Where was Ivan born?  
2. Does he live in Russia or America?

3. Who is Vandim?

4. Does Ivan go to school? Does Vandim have a job?

5. What do they do every day?

6. Why was Ivan different from a very young age?

7. How old was he when he could read?

8. What was his achievement when he was twelve?

9. Can his father speak English? Can he play chess?

10. What do they live for?

C. Work in pairs. Tell your friends what Ivan and his father can do, can’t do, could do. Number one is done for you

1. Ivan could ride bicycle when he was eight months.
2. ………………………………………………………....
3. ………………………………………………………….
4. ………………………………………………………….
5. ………………………………………………………….
6. ........................................................................

For more explanation please watch this video