[Common Mistakes Highlight]
1. Indicating Ability
He could swim when he was five.
—Can you drive a car?
—Yes, I can. / No, I can’t.
2. Indicating Speculation
Today is Sunday. He can’t be at school.
3. Indicating Permission
You can use my bike this time.
You can’t take the book out of the room.
4. Indicating Requests
Can I go swimming today, please, mum?
Could you tell me how I can get to the railway station?
[Typical Mistakes]
He _____ speak English very well although he has studied it for only one year.
A. mustn’t B. can’t C. must D. can
[Error Analysis] The key to this question is understanding the context. If you don’t understand the meaning of the concessive clause introduced by ‘although’, it will affect your ability to correctly determine the modal verb needed in the blank. Additionally, students often confuse the uses of ‘must’ and ‘can’.
[Thought Process] First, understand the meaning of the sentence in the question, then clarify the usage of the modal verbs in the four options, and finally, determine that the blank is meant to express ‘can’ or ‘be able to’. Compare the options to find the correct answer.
[Correct Answer] The correct answer is D. The meaning is: Although he has only studied English for one year, he speaks it very well. A. mustn’t prohibits; B. can’t indicates inability; C. must denotes certainty; D. can indicates ability. Based on ‘although he has studied it for only one year’, the answer is D.
[Exam Links]
1. —________you tell me the differences between these two photos?
—No. They look quite similar, nearly the same.
A. Can B. May C. Must
[Answer] A
[Analysis] The meaning is: —Can you tell me the differences between these two photos? —No, they look quite similar, nearly the same. ‘Can’ indicates ability; ‘may’ indicates permission; ‘must’ indicates necessity; thus the answer is A.
2.—Could you go to the new movie with me now?
—Sorry, I ______. Look, it’s time for me to watch The Readers on CCTV.
A. can’t B. can C. needn’t D. must
[Answer] A
[Analysis] The meaning is: “—Can you go to the new movie with me now? —Sorry, I can’t. Look, it’s time for me to watch The Readers.” ‘Can’t’ indicates inability; ‘can’ indicates ability; ‘needn’t’ indicates lack of necessity; ‘must’ indicates necessity. Based on the context, it indicates inability, so use ‘can’t’.
3. Nowadays, some robots are very human-like. They _____ walk and dance.
A. can B. must C. need D. have to
[Answer] A
[Analysis] The meaning is: Nowadays, some robots are very human-like. They can walk and dance. To express ‘can’ or ‘be able to’, use the modal verb ‘can’, so the answer is A.
[Practice Exercises] Modal Verbscan and could
1. I ______ follow you. Would you please repeat it?
A. can’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. shouldn’t
2. —Whose T-shirt is this?
—It ____ be John’s. It’s much too small for him.
A. might B. can’t C. needn’t
3. —Could I use your bike?
—Yes, you ______. But you ______ keep it clean.
A. could; can B. can; must C. must; can D. could; must
4. —Can you stay here for the party?
—Sorry, I _________. I have to go to a meeting.
A. can’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. shouldn’t
5. —Helen, who ________ fix up the computer in our class?
—I think Jeff can.
A. should B. would C. must D. can
6. —Can you and Tom draw?
—_________.
A. Yes, I can B. No, he can’t
C. Yes, we can’t D. No, we can’t
7. —Can Jack dance?
—______. But he wants to learn it.
A. No, he can’t B. Yes, he does
C. No, he doesn’t D. Yes, he can
8. —Can you play the piano?
—No, I ______. But Frank ______ play the piano.
A. can, can’t B. can’t, can C. can, can D. can’t, can’t
9. —_____ you help me with my math?
—Of course, it’s my pleasure.
A. Can B. Must C. Need D. May
10. Excuse me. Could you read the story aloud, please? I ____ hear you.
A. can’t B. mustn’t C. have to D. needn’t
11. —What can you do, Lin Tao?
—_____.
A. I like sports B. I am well
C. I can tell English stories D. I can’t play the drum
12. —Can Lily sing English songs?
— ______. She can also sing French songs.
A. Yes, she does B. Yes, she can
C. No, she doesn’t D. No, she can’t
13. —Can you come and play basketball with us?
—______. I have a lot of homework to do.
A. Sure B. Yes, I do C. No, I don’t D. I’m sorry, I can’t
14. My brother can _____ the violin and he plays it _____.
A. play; well B. plays; good C. play; good D. plays; well
15. Sorry, you _______ play basketball in the classroom.
A. can’t B. don’t C. don’t have to D. aren’t
16.— ______ you go to the concert with me tonight?
— Yes, of course.
A. Can B. Must C. May D. Should
17. —Could I look at your picture?
—Yes, of course you ____.
A. could B. can C. will D. may
18. We can eat in the dining hall at school. But we ______ eat in the classroom.
A. can B. can’t C. have to D. don’t have to
19. (2017 Autumn Hongkou District Final) —Can I fish here?
—No, you ______. The sign says “No fishing.”
A. mustn’t B. needn’t C. may not D. shouldn’t
20. You ______ play computer games on Fridays. This is a rule.
A. aren’t B. don’t C. can’t D. didn’t
Reference Answers:
1. A 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. D 6. D 7. A 8. B 9. A 10. A
11. C 12. B 13. D 14. A 15. A 16. A 17. B 18. B 19. A 20. C
