English Grammar Exercises for A1 A2 – Modals for requests: can, could, may

A. Match each request to the correct reply.

a   I’m not sure. I’ll ask her.

b   No, the shop is closed.

c   Sorry, I don’t know Italian.

d   Sure, I’ll phone again in an hour.

e   Yes, take some. It’s very good.

f   No, I’m busy at the weekend.

g   I haven’t done it yet.

h   One moment, I’ll open the door.

i   Sure. 737 – 52 – 25.

B. Write sentences asking for permission.

1   Can I go out, please?

2   ………………………………

3   ………………………………

4   ………………………………

C. In your notebook, write a request for each situation using can, could, may and the words in brackets. Use may when you need to be very polite.

1   You are in a very expensive cafe. You want a coffee. (I / have)

      May I have a coffee?

2   You are lost. You see an old man with a mobile phone. (I / use)

3   Your computer won’t work. Your friend is good with computers. (you / help)

4   You are late for class. You want to go into the room. (I / come in)

5   You want to see your friend after school. (we / meet)

6   You have invited your friend to a party. You like his CD. (you / bring)

7   It is cold. Your friend is in front of an open window. (you / close)

8   You are going to play tennis with a friend. You have the ball. (we / start)

D. These emails to Jim are not polite. In your notebook, write polite versions of them using can, could, may and please.

1   Give me a Sony PlayStation   ?

      Could you please give me a Sony PlayStation? /

      Can you give me a Sony PlayStation, please?

2   Buy me a new bike   ?

3   I want to visit London.   ?

4   Translate this email from my friend in Mongolia.   ?

5   Do my Geography homework.   ?

6   Send my sister a birthday present.   ?

7   I want to go into space.   ?

8   I want to be in the next Spider-Man film.   ?

E. In your notebook, write emails to Jim. Make them polite with can, could, may and please.

Examples: Could I meet Roger Federer?

……………………………………………….

……………………………………………….

……………………………………………….

F. Circle the correct option.

1   Dear Jim. Can you …………. my friend?

      a be     b being     c to be

2   A: Excuse me. …………. your toilet, please?   B: Yes, of course.

      a May I use

      b May I using

      c May l to use

3   …………. for my sixteenth birthday?

      a May you give me a car

      b Could give you me a car

      c Could you give me a car

4   Dear Jim. Please …………. a new mobile phone?

      a could have my sister

      b could my sister has

      c could my sister have

5   A: Mum? Can we have a dog?   B: No, we …………. .

      a don’t     b haven’t     c can’t