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🧹 A1 English • 12 Mins

Helping at Home: Can and Can't

Learn how to talk about your abilities, offer help, and make polite requests at home.

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How to use this lesson

🧑‍🏫 For Teacher:

Teach the 4 rules with the example sentences in 5 minutes, then give learners 7 minutes to finish the exercises.
Check answers together with the whole class by reading the sentences aloud.

🎒 For Learner:

Read the 4 rule rows carefully and look at the housework words.
Do the 12 questions from 1 to 12, then read each correct sentence aloud.

A teacher and a student looking at a checklist together in a bright room. No text.

✨ Key Words: Housework & Action

🧼 clean 🫧 wash 🍳 cook 🛏️ tidy 👕 clothes 🍽️ plate 🌻 garden 🤝 help 🗣️ ask 📦 carry

📌 Grammar Rules

Always use the plain verb!

I can

Use can + plain verb for something you are able to do.

"I can cook dinner."

I can't

Use can't + plain verb for something you are not able to do.

"My brother can't carry the big bags."

Ask for help

Use Can you ...? to ask someone to help you.

"Can you help me in the garden, please?"

Offer help

Use Can I ...? to offer to help someone.

"Can I tidy your room?"

Practice Arena (12 Questions)

🎯 Part 1: Choose the correct sentence

1. Ability: Which sentence is correct?

[plain]

____ a. I can wash the plates. ____ b. I can to wash the plates. ____ c. I can washing the plates.

2. She can't: Which sentence is correct?

[not]

____ a. She can't clean the garden. ____ b. She can't cleans the garden. ____ c. She not can clean the garden.

3. Offer help: Which sentence is correct?

[offer]

____ a. Can I carry this box for you? ____ b. Can I to carry this box for you? ____ c. I can carry your box?

✍️ Part 2: Rewrite as polite requests using "Can you ..., please?"

4. "Wash the plates."

[please]

Rewrite this command into a polite request using "Can you":

____ (Type your polite request here...)

5. "Tidy the clothes."

[please]

Rewrite this command into a polite request using "Can you":

____ (Type your polite request here...)

6. "Help in the garden."

[please]

Rewrite this command into a polite request using "Can you":

____ (Type your polite request here...)

✏️ Part 3: Fill in the gaps

A little girl trying to lift a heavy bag.

7. Offer to cook:

[offer using "can"]

____ (...) cook the rice for dinner?

8. Inability:

[not able]

My little sister is five. She ____ (...) carry the heavy bags.

9. Request for help:

[ask using "can"]

____ (...) help me clean the room, please?

🔍 Part 4: Correct the error in short messages

10. Find and fix the wrong word:

[plain]

"Hi Mum! I can helps you cook dinner today."

Write only the correct word to replace "helps":

____ (Correct word...)

11. Fix the question to make a correct offer using "Can":

[offer]

"Can you I wash your clothes?"

Rewrite the whole sentence correctly:

____ (Write the full sentence...)

12. Make a polite request:

[ask]

ask Dad for help

Write a polite request using "Can you ..., please?":

____ (Write the full sentence...)

Can and Can't for Ability and Requests

Helping at Home: Can and Can't

How to use this lesson

✨ Key Words: Housework & Action

📌 Grammar Rules

Practice Arena (12 Questions)

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