The Audition

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A1Grammar in Context

The Audition

I can ask about abilities and choose a role from the information given.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Your situation

A small community show needs a singer and a guitar player. Nina says, “I can sing, but I can’t play the guitar.” Omar says, “I can play the guitar, but I can’t sing.” The organiser asks, “Can you work together?” They both say yes.

Read the situation transcript

A small community show needs a singer and a guitar player. Nina says, “I can sing, but I can’t play the guitar.” Omar says, “I can play the guitar, but I can’t sing.” The organiser asks, “Can you work together?” They both say yes.

Who can take the guitar role?

Compare your idea

Omar can play the guitar.

How it works

A man playing an acoustic guitar beside a woman standing at a microphone.
He can play the guitar.Picture context: the man is demonstrating his guitar-playing ability. Use can plus play.

Use can to describe a useful ability and can’t to say an ability is absent. But joins the contrast: I can sing, but I can’t dance.

Ask Can you…? to find the right person for a task. Match the role to the stated ability; a confident appearance is not evidence of an ability.

I can + base verb, but I can’t + base verb. Can you…?

Notice this

I can sing.

This is an ability useful for the show.

Compare this

I can’t play the guitar.

This ability is absent.

Hear the examples

I can sing.

This is an ability useful for the show.

I can’t play the guitar.

This ability is absent.

Can you dance?

This checks an ability.

Yes, I can.

This confirms the ability.

One mistake worth avoiding

Instead of: Do you can sing?

Say: Can you sing?

Can forms its own question; do is not needed.

You say

Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.

Your turn 1

Offer one ability for a community event.

Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text

I can play the piano.

Check yourself: Choose a real or invented ability.

Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.

Your turn 2

Add a contrast with but.

Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text

I can play the piano, but I can’t sing.

Check yourself: Use base verbs after can and can’t.

Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.

Your turn 3

Choose a partner and ask about a useful ability.

Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text

Can you play the guitar?

Check yourself: Match the question to the role.

Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.

A man playing an acoustic guitar beside a woman standing at a microphone.
Can she sing?Picture context: the woman at the microphone is auditioning. The microphone does not supply the answer.

Two guided self-checks

Say or write your answer before opening a model.

Self-check 1

Nina cannot dance. Say this with can’t.

Compare a model and explanation

Nina can’t dance.

Can’t and cannot give the same negative here.

Self-check 2

Ask whether two people can work together.

Compare a model and explanation

Can you work together?

Can stays the same with singular or plural you.

Check your understanding

Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.

1. Nina ___ sing, but she can’t dance.

2. ___ you play the guitar?

3. Nina sings; Omar plays guitar. Who fits the guitar role?

4. Choose a correct contrast.

5. Correct “She can sings.”

6. “Can you help?” Choose a positive short answer.

7. Which sentence does NOT claim an ability?

8. Which role suits the speaker?

Read the listening transcript

I can play the drums, but I can’t sing.

Opening this transcript makes this a reading-supported attempt.

9. Choose the correct plural statement.

10. What should decide a role in this activity?

Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.

Answer key with explanations

  1. Nina ___ sing, but she can’t dance.

    can: Can takes a base verb and no -s.

  2. ___ you play the guitar?

    Can: Can comes before you without another auxiliary.

  3. Nina sings; Omar plays guitar. Who fits the guitar role?

    Omar: Omar’s stated ability matches the role.

  4. Choose a correct contrast.

    I can dance, but I can’t sing.: Use can or can’t plus a base verb in both clauses.

  5. Correct “She can sings.”

    She can sing.: Do not add -s to the verb after can.

  6. “Can you help?” Choose a positive short answer.

    Yes, I can.: Can is repeated without extra verbs.

  7. Which sentence does NOT claim an ability?

    I can’t dance.: Can’t states that the ability is absent here.

  8. Which role suits the speaker?

    Drummer: The speaker can play the drums and cannot sing.

  9. Choose the correct plural statement.

    They can work together.: Can remains unchanged with they.

  10. What should decide a role in this activity?

    The ability the person states: Use the information in the language rather than guessing from appearance.

Take it with you

I can ask about abilities and choose a role from the information given.

Try the companion lesson

Grammar Focus: Can / Can’tExplore the Grammar catalogue