Can/ Could – Birthdays and Presents
In this full tutorial for beginners’ learners are going to learn the usage and difference between CAN and COULD and learn the vocabulary on birthdays and presents. Then you learn how to answer the –who questions from the conversation.
A. Pre-activity
Drill of words: (Birthdays and presents)
Review: Past lesson
B.Lesson Proper
Motivation
Show pictures about birthdays and some gifts, ask the students about their thoughts on the pictures
Presentation
Teacher reads the conversation as the students listen to the text .
and answer the comprehension questions that follow.
Martina: It’s my mother’s birthday next Monday. I really can’t decide what present to buy her.
Tobias: You could buy her a book. Books are nice.
Martina: Oh, no. I bought her a book last year. I will not buy her a book again.
Tobias: OK. Then, you could buy her a concert ticket.
Martina: Ah, I’m not sure about that. She doesn’t like big crowds, you know. I don’t think she will enjoy that.
Tobias: You could take her to the movies. There are several really good movies next week.
Martina: Well, I can’t just take her to the movies. It has to be more special than that, you know. It’s her birthday.
Tobias: Well, after the movie you can go to a karaoke bar and sing all night.
Martina: Oh, no. Not for me. I can’t sing. We both can’t sing… But I think she can dance really well, and maybe it’s a good idea to go dancing after the movies. It will be fun.
Comprehension check up
- Who has a birthday?
- What did Martina buy for her mother last year?
- Why a book is not a good present?
- What is the thing that Martina’s mother doesn’t like?
- Will Martina take her mother to the movies?
- Where can they go if they want to sing?
- How many things did Tobias suggest? What were they?
- What will be fun?
Read the definitions. Fill in the crossword with the correct words.
ACROSS
3. a kid
4. a person invited to your house
5. to say hello or welcome
7. a round colorful object
DOWN
1. sweet frozen food
2. a playful conical hat
6. a wax stick that gives light
Put the sentences in order by writing numbers 1-5 before each sentence.
a._____ This year I can have a big party at home.
b._____ Mom said I could have a clown, a big cake, and many balloons.
c______ I will invite all my friends.
d. _____There I could see many interesting animals.
e. _____ Last year for my birthday I could go to the zoo.
C. Analysis and discussion
Discuss the usage of CAN and COULD
| CAN | COULD |
| Ability E.g. I can run fast. You can cook very well. Sally really cannot sing. | 1. Past tense of CAN E.g. I could travel a lot when I was young. 2. Suggestion/ piece of advice E.g. You could take the train. It’s faster. |
Explain that: We use can to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities; to request or offer permission while could is used as the past tense of can.
Practice exercise
Rewrite the sentences in past tense.
E.g. I can finish it in two hours. → I could finish it in two hours.
- Sydney can ride a horse. 5. I can invite all my friends.
- My brother can spell very long words. 6. Diana’s dog can catch ball.
- Thomas’s mother can help you. 7. She can buy many presents.
- Three people can join us. 8. Bob and Dana can come to the party.
Enrichment activity
Read the words inside the box and write them in the proper column.
| photo album cake balloons diary cookies book party hat painting concert ticket sweater pretzels |
| Food | Decoration | Gifts/Present |
Evaluation
Choose CAN/ COULD and fill in the blanks. In some cases both are appropriate.
- Last years I________ visit many museums.
- Larry_______ _come to the party.
- ________ you pass me the cookies, please?
- You________ take her to the movies. She will like it.
- Perhaps, Peter________ buy the flowers, and can buy the gift.
- It was too hot last night, so I________ sleep.
- ________ I leave early?
- I________ blow all the candles. I’m so sad.
Homework
1. Your friend is invited to a birthday party. Using COULD tell him 8 things he/ she could give as a present.
E.g. You could give her a movie ticket.
2. In 5 sentences describe your dream birthday.
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with can or could. In some cases, they are both possible.
1.______ I ask you something?
2. She said I ______ come as often as I liked.
3. Jack ______ not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
4. He ______ borrow my car, if she asked.
5. I ______ her, if I had wanted to.
6. ______ you lend me some pounds until tomorrow?
7. When I was a child, I ______ play whenever I wanted to.
8. ‘Where is John?’ He ______ be in the garden.
10. I ______not understand anything she said.
11. You ______ get a better job if you speak English.
12. War ______ break out any day.
Exercise 2
Write the phrases in brackets in their correct forms in the blanks.
- Last week we ______________ swimming, this week we can’t. (can/to go)
- Maybe the Smiths ______________ a new house next year. (can/to build)
- If you try hard, you ______________ your examinations. (can/to pass)
- When I was five, I ______________. (not/can/to swim)
- Dennis ______________ the trumpet after four months. (can/to play)
- Luke has passed his driving test, now he ______________ a car. (can/to drive)
- I ______________ to him on the phone for three weeks last month. (not/can/to speak)
- Alex ______________ his homework when his desk is in such a mess. (not/can/to do)
- They were so busy, they ______________ me. (not/can/to text)
- Lisa ______________ her dress. She can wear it again. (can/to clean)
For more readings
- When to use “a little” and “a few”: English Grammar Rules
- Compound Words: English Vocabulary
- The difference between MUST and HAVE TO
- Question Tags: Basic Rules
- Present perfect tense / Part 1 -form
If you have any questions or suggestions about The Can/ Could – Birthdays and Presents, please feel free to leave a comment below or send us a message using our contact page
