Pronunciation insight 2

 can and can't

Look at the pronunciation and stress of can and can't in these sentences.

○		○				○	○
I	can	run	fast.	/kən/		I	can't	run	fast.	/ka:nt/

		○	○
Can	you	run	fast?	/kæn/

1Play the recording, listen to the sentences and underline the stressed words. 

• 

2Play the recording, listen and choose the sentences you hear. 

• 1I can play the guitar.I can't play the guitar.

• 2Ethan can ride a bike.Ethan can't ride a bike.

• 3You can come to my house.You can't come to my house.

• 4I can speak Spanish.I can't speak Spanish.

• 5They can swim.They can't swim.

• 6We can sing well.We can't sing well.

• 
  

3Play the recording and listen to Bethany and Leo talking. Tick (✔) what each person can do. 

Bethany

play footballplay basketballdo karatedrawactsingdancespeak Spanishspeak German

Leo

play footballplay basketballdo karatedrawactsingdancespeak Spanishspeak German

4Write sentences with can (✔), can't (✘) and can (?). Write the stressed words. Then play the recording, listen and check. 

You need to use normal letters and capital letters correctly in this task. You also need to use correct punctuation.

• 1Harry / run / fast (✔)

  The stressed word(s) is/are: 

• 2we / sing (✘)

  The stressed word(s) is/are: 

• 3Mum and Dad / dance (✘)

  The stressed word(s) is/are: 

• 4you / speak / English (?)

  The stressed word(s) is/are: 

• 5you / play / tennis (?)

  The stressed word(s) is/are: 

• 6Carla / cook (?)

  The stressed word(s) is/are: