What Can You Do?
Original English Drills lesson. Listening uses a teacher-read script. Student print format: two A4 landscape sides.
1. Warmer
Look at the illustration. What can you see? Tell a partner two ideas.
Goal: Use can and can’t in everyday English.
2. Vocabulary
Match the words with their meanings.
1. talent
2. performer
3. introduce
4. practise
5. together
A. tell people who someone is
B. with other people
C. a skill you are good at
D. do something to improve your skill
E. a person who entertains an audience
1 ___ 2 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___
3. Reading
Our class is organising a talent afternoon. Everyone can help in a different way. Sofia can sing, but she cannot play the guitar. Jack can play the guitar, and he can teach Sofia a simple song. Mei can draw beautiful pictures for the poster. She cannot sing very well, but she can introduce the performers. Arun can use the classroom computer and play the music. I can take photos, but I cannot dance. Our teacher can help us practise. We do not all have the same skills, but together we can make a great afternoon.
4. Comprehension
Answer using the reading.
- Can Sofia play the guitar?
- Who can draw the poster pictures?
- What can Arun do?
- Can the writer dance?
5. Grammar focus
Use can + base verb for ability.
I can swim. She can sing. No -s after can.
Negative: cannot or can’t.
Question: Can you dance?
Short answers: Yes, I can. / No, I can’t.
But connects a difference: I can sing, but I can’t dance.
6. Guided practice
Complete each sentence. Use the forms in brackets where given.
- Sofia can ___ (sing).
- Jack can ___ (play) the guitar.
- Mei ___ draw, but she cannot sing well.
- The writer ___ dance. (negative)
- ___ Arun use the computer?
- Yes, he ___.
What Can You Do? — continued
7. Listening
Your teacher will read a short text twice. Complete the notes.
- Ruby’s water skill: ___
- Sport Ruby cannot play: ___
- Sport Ruby can play: ___
- Skill her brother cannot do: ___
- Skill they both have: ___
8. Speaking
Ask a partner. Answer in full sentences.
- Can you swim?
- Can you play a musical instrument?
- What can you cook?
- What skill can you teach a friend?
Listen and ask one follow-up question.
9. Fun practice
Grammar detective: Correct one mistake in each sentence.
- She cans sing.
- I can to swim.
- Can you plays guitar?
- He don’t can dance.
10. Writing and reflection
Write three things you can do and two things you cannot do. Add one sentence about a partner’s ability.
Exit check: She can ___ (sing). ___ you swim?
□ I can use the grammar. □ I can ask or answer a question.
What Can You Do? — Teacher Answers
A1 · Can and can’t · 50–60 minutes
1. Warmer
Invite observations and connect the picture to the lesson topic. Answers vary. Introduce the target pattern before expecting independent use.
2. Vocabulary
1–C; 2–E; 3–A; 4–D; 5–B.
3–4. Reading and comprehension
- No, she cannot.
- Mei.
- Use the classroom computer and play the music.
- No, the writer cannot.
5–6. Grammar and guided practice
- sing
- play
- can
- cannot / can’t
- Can
- can
Accept equivalent full and contracted negative forms. Ask learners to explain their choices using the grammar panel.
7. Teacher-read listening script
Read twice at a natural, clear pace, with a pause between readings. Clarify vocabulary first if needed.
My name is Ruby. I can swim and ride a bike. I cannot play tennis, but I can play basketball. My brother can play tennis. He cannot swim. We can both cook simple meals. On Sundays, we make lunch together.
- swimming / swim
- tennis
- basketball
- swim / swimming
- cook simple meals
8. Speaking
Personal answers vary. Allow pairs to rehearse. Monitor the target grammar and support follow-up questions with What, Where, When or Why as appropriate.
9. Grammar detective
- She can sing.
- I can swim.
- Can you play guitar?
- He can’t dance.
10. Writing and reflection
Check that learners follow the writing task, use the target forms accurately and make complete sentences. Personal examples vary.
Exit answers: sing; Can.
Suggested timing and support
Warmer/vocabulary: 8 minutes; reading/comprehension: 10; grammar/practice: 12; listening: 7; speaking/game: 10; writing/reflection: 8. Give a word bank or sentence frames for support. For extension, ask pairs to create two more questions. All texts and activities are original English Drills material.