LESSON 17

I CAN SHOW MY THUMBS!

Topic Abilities and inabilities
Learning goal Be able to say what you can and can’t do
Time 4 x 40 minutes (2 meetings)
Language Skill Speaking
Media Pictures and videos

First meeting
Pre- speaking activities
17.1 Instruction: work in pairs then Match the words with the pictures! (5 minutes)
1. smile 4. Roller skate 7. Talk 10. Play chess
2. ride a bike 5. Run a marathon 8. Read
3. drive 6. Cook 9. Walk

17.2 Watch the videos, and then restate 5 sentences that you have seen from the videos! (10
minutes)
Example: I can play guitar
I can ride a horse
I can run, etc
17.3 Match the sentences below with the pictures! ( 5 minutes)
1. He can smile but he can talk
2. He can walk, but he can’t roller skate
3. She can talk but she can’t read
4. She can ride a bike, but she can’t drive a car
5. He can drive but he can’t cook
6. He can cook but he can’t run a marathon

Speaking Activites
17.4 Repeat these sentences after your teacher!
Statements interrogatives responding
a. I can write short stories can you write short stories? Yes, I can.
b. He can speak five languages can he speak five languages? No, he can’t
c. I can carry my own bag can you carry your own bag? Yes, I can
d. She can play many instruments can she play many instruments? No, He can’t
e. They can run fast can they run fast? Yes, they can.
17.5 Answer these questions from your teacher!
What about you? What can you do?
Can you:
1. Play a music instrument?
2. Sing well?
3. Type with all your fingers?
4. Speak French?
5. Play chess?
6. Run 100 meters in 15 seconds?
7. Learn 10 new English words a day?
 8. Swim fast
9. Drive
10. Ride a bike
11. Play tennis
12. Ride a horse
13. Roller skate
14. Talk while eating?
15. Memorize a hundred new English words a week?
17.6 You are going to talk about things you can do and ask your conversation partners about things
they can do!
Before you ask your partners:
1. Read the questions carefully and make sure you understand it.
2. Call your partners by introducing yourself:
Ex: “hi! My name is Shasha, I’m learning English, can I ask you about things you can do?
3. Say thanks and begin the questions
4. Write your partners’ answers

Can you: Responds reasons

Play a musical instrument?
Make anything with your hands?
Use a computer?
Cook well?
Speak another language
Remember important dates?
Run more than 500 meters
Do any sports?
Change a wheel on a car
Play chess
Now, ask about any other skills and abilities
 Second meeting
17.7 watch conversation videos about ability and inability.