The key answer of exercise 32
The key to exercise solutions in chapter Workbook 9 - Animals and us for the textbook Performer B1, Vol. 2 with authors Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella e Margaret Layton from Zanichelli
Question
Look at the grammar maps and fill in the blanks in the boxes below.
Answer
ABILITY IN THE PAST
- could + base form; Could + subject + base form?
- couldn't (could not) + base form = wasn't / weren't + able to + base form
- was / were + able to + base form; Was / Were + subject + able to + base form?
- managed to + base form; didn't manage to + base form; Did + subject + manage to + base form?
- succeeded in + -ing form; didn't succeed in + -ing form; Did + subject + succeed in + -ing form?
USE
- General abilities in the past - Example: She could swim when she was five.
- In their negative forms, could and was / were able to can be used interchangeably
- A specific ability or an action that has been successfully concluded - Example: I was able to fix the car yesterday.
- A specific achievement that was difficult, unexpected or uncertain - Example: She succeeded in climbing the mountain.
MODAL VERBS OF DEDUCTION (past)
USE To make logical deductions about past events and situations
100% CERTAINTY → we are certain about something in the past
- subject + must + have + past participle - Example: He must have forgotten about the meeting.
50% UNCERTAINTY AND POSSIBILITY → we are unsure or open to various outcomes in the present or future
- subject + may / might / could + have + past participle - Example: They are still at the platform. They may have missed the 6.30 train.
- subject + may / might + … have + past participle - Example: She might have left her keys at home.
We do NOT use could not or couldn't.
0% IMPOSSIBILITY → we consider something to be impossible based on existing knowledge or conditions
- subject + can't / couldn't + have + past participle - Example: Tom can't have been at school yesterday. He was ill.