Haga los cinco ejercicios seguidos y sin mirar las soluciones. El ejercicio 5 es el que mide de verdad: hablar de uno mismo obliga a elegir entre «could» y «managed to» sin tiempo para pensarlo, que es exactamente donde se ve si la distinción está aprendida o solo entendida.
1. Escuche la pista entera. Es el testimonio de una estudiante. Anote los seis datos que se piden.
- ¿A qué edad empezó?
- ¿Qué no podía hacer el primer año?
- ¿De dónde sacó el vocabulario?
- ¿Qué logró a los dieciocho meses?
- ¿Qué sigue sin poder hacer?
- ¿Qué podrá hacer el año que viene?
Ver soluciones
- At twenty six
- She couldn't understand anything on the radio
- From television series with subtitles
- She managed to have a whole conversation with a client
- She can't tell jokes
- She will be able to take the official examination
2. Complete con «can», «could», «was able to», «managed to» o «will be able to».
- The instructions were terrible, but I ___ assemble the shelf.
- My grandmother ___ read four languages when she was young.
- Give me two more weeks and I ___ present it in English.
- Sorry, I ___ hear you at all. The line is very bad.
- The room was dark, but I ___ see the door at the end.
- She has been ill for a month and hasn't ___ study at all.
Ver soluciones
- managed to
- could
- will be able to
- can't
- could
- been able to
3. Reescriba cada frase corrigiendo el error. Todos son de estudiantes reales de B1.
- Next year I will can speak English at work.
- I like to can help my colleagues in two languages.
- The test was hard but finally I could finish it.
- She can to translate the whole contract herself.
- He gave me some very useful advices about pronunciation.
- Maybe she can help us, she might can come tomorrow.
Ver soluciones
- Next year I will be able to speak English at work.
- I like being able to help my colleagues in two languages.
- The test was hard but finally I managed to finish it.
- She can translate the whole contract herself.
- He gave me some very useful advice about pronunciation.
- Maybe she can help us, she might be able to come tomorrow.
4. Escuche la pista entera. Son seis situaciones. Responda en voz alta con la forma de habilidad adecuada.
- Situación 1
- Situación 2
- Situación 3
- Situación 4
- Situación 5
- Situación 6
Ver soluciones
- When I was a child I could ride a bicycle very fast.
- Last month I managed to finish the report on time.
- I still can't understand people on the telephone.
- I will be able to work entirely in English.
- Being able to explain your ideas clearly.
- I might be able to help you tomorrow.
5. Cuente en voz alta su propia historia con el inglés. Grábese y escúchese: se mide si cambia de forma cuando cambia el tipo de habilidad.
- Say what you could and couldn't do when you started
- Describe one specific moment when something finally worked
- Say two things you can do now and one you still cannot
- Explain what being able to speak English changes for you
- Say what you will be able to do in two years
Ver soluciones
- Su propia respuesta. Aquí toca «could» y «couldn't», porque se habla de capacidades generales de aquella época.
- Su propia respuesta. Debe salir «I managed to» o «I was able to», nunca «I could»: es un logro puntual.
- Su propia respuesta. Presente: «can» y «can't», con la forma débil al hablar.
- Su propia respuesta. Empieza por «Being able to…», porque «can» no tiene forma en -ing.
- Su propia respuesta. Futuro: «I will be able to…», nunca «I will can».
