Fill in the gaps with can can't could couldn't or was/wasn't able to. 1. After saving their money for...

1. After saving their money for ten years, they were able to buy a house.

2. Sam and Beth can speak Italian fluently, can't they?

3. Could you tie your shoelaces when you were four years old?

4. It was a very tricky question, but Paul couldn't answer it.

5. I couldn't hear what they were saying because the music was too loud.

6. Although it was difficult, the children could build a tree house.

7. Susan can't come to the phone. She is busy.

Без проблем, давайте разберем, какие слова лучше использовать в каждом из предложений:

1. After saving their money for ten years, they were able to buy a house.

   • В данном случае "were able to" подчеркивает, что после долгого периода накопления денег они наконец смогли купить дом.

2. Sam and Beth can speak Italian fluently, can't they?

   • Здесь используется "can" для указания на текущее умение говорить по-итальянски. Вопрос с хвостиком (tag question) подтверждает это утверждение.

3. Could you tie your shoelaces when you were four years old?

   • "Could" используется для описания способности в прошлом.

4. It was a very tricky question, but Paul was able to answer it.

   • "Was able to" указывает на то, что несмотря на сложность вопроса, Пол все-таки смог ответить на него.

5. I couldn't hear what they were saying because the music was too loud.

   • "Couldn't" подчеркивает неспособность услышать что-либо из-за громкой музыки.

6. Although it was difficult, the children were able to build a tree house.

   • "Were able to" показывает, что несмотря на трудности, дети смогли построить домик на дереве.

7. Susan can't come to the phone. She is busy.

   • "Can't" здесь указывает на невозможность Сьюзан подойти к телефону из-за занятости в данный момент.

Таким образом, правильное заполнение пропусков выглядит следующим образом:

1. were able to
2. can
3. Could
4. was able to
5. couldn't
6. were able to
7. can't