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Exercise 1   

Read the situations and write questions beginning Can … or Could ….

1   You’re carrying a lot of things. You can’t open the door yourself. There’s a man standing near the door. You say to him: …………………….

2   You phone Kate’s office, but somebody else answers. Kate isn’t there. You want to leave a message for her. You say: …………………….

3   You’re a tourist. You want to go to the station, but you don’t know how to get there. You ask at your hotel: …………………….

4   You are in a clothes shop. You see some trousers you like and you want to try them on.

     You say to the shop assistant: …………………….

5   You have a car. You have to go the same way as Steve, who is on foot. You offer him a lift.

     You say to him: …………………….

Answers

1

1  Could you open the door, please?

2  Can/Could I leave a message (for her)? or Can/Could you give her a message?

3  Can/Could you tell me how to get to the station? or … the way to the station? or … where the station is?

4  Can/ Could I try on these trousers? or Can/Could I try these (trousers) on?

5  Can I give/offer you a lift?

Exercise 2   

Read the situation and write a question using the word in brackets.

1   You want to borrow your friend ‘s bike. What do you say to him?

     (think)  …………………….

2   You are staying at a friend ‘s house and you would like to make some coffee. What do you say?

     (all right)  …………………….

3   You’ve filled in some forms in English. You want your friend to check them for you. What do you ask?

     (think)  …………………….

4   You want to leave work early. What do you ask your boss?

     (mind)  …………………….

5   The woman in the next room is playing music. It’s very loud. You want her to turn it down. What do you say to her?

     (think)  …………………….

6   You’re on a train. The window is open and you’re feeling cold. You’d like to close it, but first you ask the woman next to you.

     (OK)  …………………….

7   You’re still on the train. The woman next to you has finished reading her paper, and you’d like to have a look at it. You ask her.

     (think)  …………………….

Answers

2

1  Do you think I could borrow your bike?

2  Is it all right if I make some coffee?

3  Do you think you could check these forms (for me)? / … check them (for me)?

4  Do you mind if I leave work early?

5  Do you think you could turn the music down? / … turn it down?

6  Is it OK if I close the window?

7  Do you think I could have a look at your paper? / … at your newspaper?

Exercise 3   

What would you say in these situations?

1   Paul has come to see you in your flat. You offer him something to eat.

     YOU: …………………….?

     PAUL: No, thank you. I’ve just eaten.

2   You need help to charge the battery in your camera. You ask Kate.

     YOU: I don’t know how to charge the battery. …………………….?

     KATE: Sure. It’s easy. All you have to do is this.

3   You’re on a bus. You have a seat, but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat.

     YOU: …………………….?

     MAN: Oh, that’s very kind of you. Thank you very much.

4   You’re the passenger in a car. Your friend is driving very fast. You ask her to slow down.

     YOU: You’re making me very nervous. …………………….?

     DRIVER: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise I was going so fast.

5   You’ve finished your meal in a restaurant and now you want the bill. You ask the waiter:

     YOU: …………………….?

     WAITER: Sure. I’ll get it for you now.

6   A friend of yours is interest ed in one of your books. You invite him to borrow it.

     FRIEND: This looks very interesting.

     YOU: Yes, it’s a good book. …………………….?

Answers

3

1  Would you like something to eat?

2  Can/Could/Would you show me? or Do you think you could show me? or … do it for me?

3  Would you like to sit down? or Would you like a seat? or Can I offer you a seat?

4  Can/Could/Would you slow down? or Do you think you could … ?

5  Can/Could/ May  I/we have the bill, please? or Do you think I/we could have … ?

6  Would you like to borrow it ?

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