Intermediate

Present perfect - ever/never been able to

This simple fluency exercise gives students practice using ‘to be able to’ with
‘ever/never’. Begin the exercise with ‘ask me’ questions to model the form.

* This exercise introduces new vocabulary and can be adapted to focus on different
topical vocabulary.

1. Ask me if you will ever be able to improve your English - Will I ever be able to
improve my English?
2. Ask me if I will ever be able to run as fast as Usain Bolt? - Will you ever be
able to run as fast as Usain Bolt?
3. Ask me when I was last able to spend time with my family? - When were you
last able to spend time with your family?
4. Ask me when I was last able to beat Roger Federer at tennis? - When were
you last able to beat Roger Federer at tennis?
5. Ask me when I was last able to take a month-long holiday? - When were you
last able to take a month-long holiday?
6. When was the last time you were able to take a month-long holiday?
7. When was the last time you were able to fly like a bird?
8. When was the last time you were able to sleep all day?
9. When was the last time you were able to speak five languages?
10. When was the last time you were able to speak perfect English?
11. Have you ever been able to speak perfect Chinese/Russian/Arabic?
12. Have you ever been able to read people’s minds?
13. Have you ever been able to fly a helicopter?
14. Have you ever been able to run 100 miles without stopping?
15. Have you ever been able to hold your breath for 5 minutes?
16. When was the last time you were able to keep everybody happy?
17. Have you ever been able to live a life of leisure?
18. When was the last time you were able to travel all around the world?
19. Have you ever been able to lift a car up?
20. Have you ever been able to eat 20 hamburgers in an hour?
21. When was the last time you were able to play in a World Cup final?
22. When was the last time you were able to compete in the Olympics?
23. When was the last time you were able to run for President of the USA?
24. Have you ever been able to call the King of Spain to talk about your problems?
25. Have you ever been able to predict the future?
26. When was the last time you were able to win a million Euros in a casino?
27. Have you ever been able to swim across the Atlantic Ocean?
28. When was the last time you remembered everything I told you?
29. Have you ever been able to remember everything I told you?
30. Have you ever been able to do anything you want?

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