Past Ability and Success | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

English 17 Public

Using could, was/were able to, manage to and succeed in to talk about past abilities and achievements.

Study Slideshow

I ______ to (persuade) him to stay in Paris.

was/wasn't able

5

Paul ________ to learn English during the summer holiday.

managed/was able

10

I have managed (climb) Mt Everest!

to climb

5

I forgot my glasses, so I asked someone to read the board to me, because I (see).

couldn't/wasn't able to see

10

When he was 40, he (speak) six languages.

could/was able to speak

10

My brother ____________ come to the party. He was sick.

couldn't/wasn't able to

5

We __________ to arrive on time despite the traffic

managed/were able to

5

Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I __________ find them.

couldn't/wasn't able to

10

his / for / couldn't / get / to / birthday. / We / what / decide

We couldn't decide what to get for his birthday.

15

After 2 years in China, I (speak) quite fluently.

could speak/was able to speak

10

When you called yesterday I (pick) it up because I was in the shower.

couldn't/wasn't able to

10

a you / Did / to / restaurant? / good / manage / find

Did you manage to find a good restaurant?

15

predict / disaster. / Scientists / able / to / the / weren't

Scientists weren't able to predict the disaster.

15

We (finish) the exam, because the examiner gave us extra time.

managed to finish/were able to finish/could finish

10

you / speak / you / to / manage / in / on / when / Did / French / were / Paris / holiday?

Did you manage to speak French when you were in Paris on holiday?

15

I planned on doing a lot of housework yesterday, but I (not / do) any at all!

didn't manage to/wasn't able to

10