Module 4 II. Past modals Had to / Didn't have to / Could / Couldn't
1
Rewrite in Past Simple using the words in brackets.
1) I can sing very well. (last year)
2) Can you win this computer game? (in childhood)
3) She can't speak Italian. (some years ago)
4) They can't play snooker. (last year)
5) The children can read French magazines. (at the age of 11)
6) "The Wings" can compose music very well. (in the 80s)
7) My cat can play quite a long time. (when it was a kitten)
8) Father can cook Chinese dishes very well. (last year)
9) Her sister can drive a car very carefully. (at the age of 30)
10) My uncle can achieve success in making computer programmes. (a year ago)​

1) I could sing very well last year.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense.

2) Could you win this computer game in childhood?
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "in childhood" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "in childhood" at the end.

3) She couldn't speak Italian some years ago.
Explanation: The word "can't" is changed to "couldn't" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "some years ago" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can't" to "couldn't" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "some years ago" at the end.

4) They couldn't play snooker last year.
Explanation: The word "can't" is changed to "couldn't" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "last year" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can't" to "couldn't" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "last year" at the end.

5) The children could read French magazines at the age of 11.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "at the age of 11" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "at the age of 11" at the end.

6) "The Wings" could compose music very well in the 80s.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "in the 80s" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "in the 80s" at the end.

7) My cat could play quite a long time when it was a kitten.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "when it was a kitten" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "when it was a kitten" at the end.

8) Father could cook Chinese dishes very well last year.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "last year" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "last year" at the end.

9) Her sister could drive a car very carefully at the age of 30.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "at the age of 30" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "at the age of 30" at the end.

10) My uncle could achieve success in making computer programmes a year ago.
Explanation: The word "can" is changed to "could" to indicate the past tense. The phrase "a year ago" is added to specify the time frame.
Step-by-step solution: Change "can" to "could" to make it past tense. Add the phrase "a year ago" at the end.