Casa ESL · A2 Elementary · Unit 5 of 20 · Step 1

Abilities & Skills

Talents & Hobbies

✓Talk about abilities using can and can't
✓Ask questions about what other people are able to do
✓Describe personal skills and hobbies

Name

Date

Vocabulary

ability

noun

The skill or power to do something.

"She has the ability to speak two languages."

talent

noun

A natural skill at something.

"He has a real talent for music."

sing

verb

To make music with your voice.

"Can you sing? I love singing in the car."

repair

verb

To fix something that is broken.

"Can you repair a bicycle?"

draw

verb

To make a picture with a pen or pencil.

"She can draw really well — her pictures are beautiful."

ride

verb

To travel on a bicycle, motorbike, or horse.

"Can you ride a bike without using your hands?"

practise

verb

To do something many times to get better at it.

"If you practise every day, you will improve quickly."

good at

phrase

Having skill or ability in something.

"She is very good at maths but not very good at sport."

Grammar Focus

Can / can't — ability and possibility

Use can + base verb to say someone is able to do something. Use can't (cannot) for inability. Can does not change for he/she/it. Questions: Can + subject + verb?

I can speak Spanish but I can't understand fast speakers yet.

She can play the guitar really well — she practised for years.

Can you drive? — Yes, I can, but I don't own a car.

He can't swim, so we won't go to the pool.

Exercises

Exercise 1

Complete each sentence with can or can't.

1. I cook Italian food but I make sushi.

2. your brother play any instrument?

3. She run five kilometres without stopping.

4. We park here — there is a no-parking sign.

5. He speak four languages.

Exercise 2

Match each person to their ability.

1. A doctorcan help sick people get better
2. A translatorcan speak and write in two languages
3. A pilotcan fly a plane
4. A chefcan cook food for many people
5. An artistcan draw and paint pictures

Reading

Hidden Talents

My colleague Daniel surprises everyone in the office. He can draw detailed portraits in about twenty minutes. He learned at school but has never taken a formal art class. He can also repair almost any piece of electronics — phones, laptops, and even old televisions. Last month, he fixed the office printer that we thought was broken forever. He says he can't sing at all, which is funny because he does it constantly. Everyone in the office likes him.

1. What can Daniel draw?

2. What can't Daniel do, according to the text?

Speaking

Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.

1Tell your partner two things you can do well and one thing you can't do but would like to learn. Explain how you learned the skill.
2Survey the class: find one person who can cook, one who can play an instrument, and one who can speak a third language.

Writing

Write 4–6 sentences about your skills and abilities. Include what you can and can't do.

Example: I can speak English and some Arabic, but I can't read Arabic script very well yet. I can ride a motorbike — I learned three years ago. I can't draw at all, which is a little embarrassing. I would like to learn how to play chess.

Answer Key — For Teacher Use

Exercise 1

1. can / can't · 2. Can · 3. can · 4. can't · 5. can

Exercise 2

1. A doctor → can help sick people get better · 2. A translator → can speak and write in two languages · 3. A pilot → can fly a plane · 4. A chef → can cook food for many people · 5. An artist → can draw and paint pictures

Reading Comprehension

1. He can draw detailed portraits. · 2. He can't sing.

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