Modals of Ability/Permission: Can, Could – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You are writing and reading reviews about different hotels. You want to describe what guests are allowed to do (the rules, perks, and privileges). Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence.
1 “This hotel is amazing! Guests ______ use the rooftop swimming pool until midnight.”
(A) are can
(B) must
(C) can
(D) can to
2 “Please note the hotel’s policy: you ______ smoke anywhere inside the building.”
(A) cannot
(B) shouldn’t
(C) don’t can
(D) couldn’t
3 “If you book the deluxe suite, you ______ enjoy a free breakfast in your room every morning.”
(A) could
(B) can
(C) cans
(D) do
4 “When we stayed here last summer, we ______ eat as much ice cream as we wanted at the dinner buffet!”
(A) can
(B) should
(C) could to
(D) could
5 “Families will love this resort because children ______ play in the kids’ club for free.”
(A) can
(B) are able
(C) must to
(D) do can
6 “The security is very strict. Non-registered visitors ______ enter the guest room floors.”
(A) don’t can
(B) aren’t can
(C) couldn’t
(D) can’t
7 “Even after you check out, you ______ leave your heavy luggage at the reception and explore the city.”
(A) cans
(B) can
(C) could
(D) must
8 “I gave this hotel 5 stars because we ______ bring our dog with us. It is completely pet-friendly!”
(A) could
(B) should
(C) can to
(D) did can
9 “According to the welcome brochure, guests ______ borrow bicycles from the front desk at no extra cost.”
(A) have
(B) are can
(C) can
(D) could to
10 “You ______ park your car in front of the hotel, but the underground parking is completely free.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) cannot
(C) don’t can
(D) aren’t able
11 “The Wi-Fi is excellent. You ______ stream movies on your laptop without any lagging.”
(A) can to
(B) can
(C) must
(D) do can
12 “Unfortunately, the gym is currently under maintenance, so guests ______ use the treadmills this week.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) don’t can
(C) cannot
(D) couldn’t
13 “If you arrive early, you ______ request an early check-in, but it depends on room availability.”
(A) can
(B) could to
(C) must
(D) are able
14 “During our honeymoon stay last year, we ______ order room service 24 hours a day.”
(A) can
(B) could
(C) should
(D) did can
15 “You ______ wash your clothes in the sink, because the hotel offers a very cheap laundry service.”
(A) don’t have to
(B) couldn’t
(C) cannot
(D) don’t can
(Note: Read carefully! Is it forbidden or just not necessary?)
16 “As a VIP member, you ______ access the exclusive business lounge on the top floor.”
(A) can
(B) are can
(C) cans
(D) could
17 “We were very disappointed because we ______ use the spa. It was fully booked the whole weekend.”
(A) can’t
(B) couldn’t to
(C) couldn’t
(D) didn’t could
18 “The location is perfect. You ______ walk to the beach in just five minutes!”
(A) do
(B) have
(C) must to
(D) can
19 “Please remember that you ______ take the white bath towels to the beach. The hotel provides special blue towels for that.”
(A) shouldn’t
(B) can’t
(C) don’t can
(D) couldn’t
20 “Overall, I highly recommend this place. You ______ truly relax and enjoy a quiet vacation here.”
(A) can
(B) must
(C) could
(D) are able
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (C) can
- Why it’s right: “Can” expresses a general permission or a perk provided by the hotel management.
- Error Analysis: (A) are can (Structural Error: “to be” is never combined with “can”). (B) must (Meaning Trap: “must” means obligation. Using the pool is a choice/perk, not a forced duty). (D) can to (Structural Error: modals do not take “to”).
2 (A) cannot
- Why it’s right: “Cannot” (or can’t) is used to state that something is strictly prohibited by the rules.
- Error Analysis: (B) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap: “shouldn’t” is just friendly advice, but a non-smoking policy is a strict rule, so “cannot” is correct). (C) don’t can (Common Mistake: wrong negative form). (D) couldn’t (Strong Distractor: wrong tense; policies are in the present).
3 (B) can
- Why it’s right: States a present privilege or benefit of booking the suite.
- Error Analysis: (A) could (Strong Distractor: wrong tense for a general statement). (C) cans (Structural Error: modals never take an “-s”). (D) do (Common Mistake).
4 (D) could
- Why it’s right: “Could” is used to talk about a permission or ability that existed in the past (“last summer”).
- Error Analysis: (A) can (Common Mistake: wrong tense). (B) should (Meaning Trap: changes meaning to “it was a good idea to eat”). (C) could to (Structural Error).
5 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Expresses a general rule/permission for guests.
- Error Analysis: (B) are able (Common Mistake: missing “to”, and “can” is much more natural for permission than “able to”). (C) must to (Structural Error). (D) do can (Structural Error).
6 (D) can’t
- Why it’s right: States a strict prohibition (not allowed).
- Error Analysis: (A) don’t can (Common Mistake). (B) aren’t can (Structural Error). (C) couldn’t (Strong Distractor: wrong tense, this is a general present rule).
7 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Describes a helpful service the hotel allows you to use.
- Error Analysis: (A) cans (Structural Error). (C) could (Strong Distractor: implies past tense, but “Even after you check out” is a general present condition). (D) must (Meaning Trap: the hotel doesn’t force you to leave your luggage).
8 (A) could
- Why it’s right: The reviewer is telling a story about a past stay (“we could bring our dog”).
- Error Analysis: (B) should (Meaning Trap). (C) can to (Structural Error). (D) did can (Common Mistake: double auxiliary).
9 (C) can
- Why it’s right: A general privilege stated in the brochure.
- Error Analysis: (A) have (Common Mistake: missing “to”). (B) are can (Structural Error). (D) could to (Structural Error).
10 (B) cannot
- Why it’s right: Expresses a parking restriction/rule.
- Error Analysis: (A) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap: sounds like advice, but parking zones are usually strict rules). (C) don’t can (Common Mistake). (D) aren’t able (Strong Distractor: missing “to”, but “cannot” is better for rules/permission).
11 (B) can
- Why it’s right: Asserts an ability/perk available right now.
- Error Analysis: (A) can to (Structural Error). (C) must (Meaning Trap). (D) do can (Common Mistake).
12 (C) cannot
- Why it’s right: Expresses an inability/restriction happening in the present (“this week”).
- Error Analysis: (A) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap). (B) don’t can (Common Mistake). (D) couldn’t (Strong Distractor: wrong tense).
13 (A) can
- Why it’s right: You are allowed to make a request.
- Error Analysis: (B) could to (Structural Error). (C) must (Meaning Trap: it is an option, not an obligation). (D) are able (Common Mistake: missing “to”).
14 (B) could
- Why it’s right: Recalling a past privilege (“last year”).
- Error Analysis: (A) can (Common Mistake: wrong tense). (C) should (Meaning Trap). (D) did can (Structural Error).
15 (A) don’t have to
- Why it’s right: Meaning Trap! The hotel isn’t forbidding you from washing clothes in the sink (so “cannot” is too strong). It just means it is not necessary because laundry is cheap.
- Error Analysis: (B) couldn’t (Strong Distractor). (C) cannot (Meaning Trap: implies a strict rule against washing clothes, which doesn’t fit the context of the second clause). (D) don’t can (Common Mistake).
16 (A) can
- Why it’s right: General permission for VIPs.
- Error Analysis: (B) are can (Structural Error). (C) cans (Structural Error). (D) could (Strong Distractor: wrong tense).
17 (C) couldn’t
- Why it’s right: Expresses a past inability (“It was fully booked”).
- Error Analysis: (A) can’t (Common Mistake: wrong tense). (B) couldn’t to (Structural Error). (D) didn’t could (Structural Error).
18 (D) can
- Why it’s right: States a present possibility/convenience.
- Error Analysis: (A) do (Common Mistake). (B) have (Common Mistake: missing “to”). (C) must to (Structural Error).
19 (B) can’t
- Why it’s right: A strict hotel rule regarding towels.
- Error Analysis: (A) shouldn’t (Meaning Trap: friendly advice vs. a strict hotel property rule. “Can’t” is more appropriate for management rules). (C) don’t can (Common Mistake). (D) couldn’t (Strong Distractor: wrong tense).
20 (A) can
- Why it’s right: Concluding statement about the ability to relax.
- Error Analysis: (B) must (Meaning Trap). (C) could (Strong Distractor: too tentative for a strong recommendation). (D) are able (Common Mistake: missing “to”).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- “Can” for Hotel Rules & Perks: In the context of hospitality (hotels, resorts, restaurants), we use “can” to talk about the privileges guests have. It means the management gives you permission. (e.g., You can use the pool for free. = You are allowed to use it).
- “Cannot / Can’t” for Prohibitions: When a hotel has a strict rule against something, use “cannot” or “can’t”. Do not use “shouldn’t”, because “shouldn’t” is just advice, whereas “can’t” means it is strictly forbidden. (e.g., You can’t smoke in the room.)
- “Could” for Past Reviews: If you are telling a story about your past vacation, shift “can” to “could”. (e.g., When we were there, we could eat breakfast on the balcony.)
- Can vs. Must: Be careful not to confuse permission with obligation. If a hotel offers a free massage, you can take it (it’s your choice). If you use must, it sounds like the hotel forces you to get a massage!