Speaking Boost · A1 · Lesson 32 of 50
Speaking Boost A1 · Block 7: Abilities and Hobbies

What can a parrot say?

A parrot can copy human words. In this lesson you ask and answer questions with can. You also say how well you do things: very well, well, a little, not very well.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Parrots and sounds

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. Do you have a pet?
  2. Can a dog talk?
  3. Can you sing?
  4. Can you speak English well?
  5. Can you speak any other language?
  6. Can you do an animal voice?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say one sentence with the word.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. A colourful bird that can copy words is a .
  2. "Hello" and "Goodbye" are each a .
  3. To is to do or say the same thing as another person.
  4. The sound that you make when you speak or sing is your .
  5. Some people keep a bird in a .
  6. The ring of a phone or a door is a .
  7. To is to pay attention to a sound.
  8. Dogs and parrots learn quickly. They are animals.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. a parrot can copy
  2. a word has got
  3. a voice is the
  4. a cage is a
  5. to understand = to know what words
  6. well = in a
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to ask and answer about abilities.

  • Can you...?Ти можеш...?Can you sing?
  • Yes, I can.Так, можу.Can you swim? Yes, I can.
  • No, I can't.Ні, не можу.Can you fly? No, I can't.
  • Can he/she/it...?Він/Вона може...?Can your parrot talk?
  • I can... very well.Я дуже добре вмію...I can swim very well.
  • I can... a little.Я трохи вмію...I can sing a little.
  • I can't... very well.Я не дуже добре вмію...I can't draw very well.
  • What can it say?Що воно може сказати?What can your parrot say?
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

Parrots

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

What can a parrot say?

What can a parrot say? Parrots are very clever birds. They can copy sounds and words from people. A parrot can say "Hello", "Good morning" and even a whole short sentence. Some parrots can also copy a ringing phone or a door.

But does a parrot understand the words? Scientists say that parrots can learn to connect some words with things, but they can't talk like people. A famous grey parrot called Alex became well known because scientists taught him a lot of words and he could name many objects and colours. But many experts say that we should be careful: a parrot can copy a sound, but it does not always understand the meaning.

A parrot needs a lot of attention. It can be loud, and a bird in a small cage is not happy. Parrots live a long time, and some can live for decades, so a parrot is a big decision.

Can your pet do anything special? Can you copy animal sounds? Many people can copy a cat or a dog well. That is a talent too!

What can a parrot say in your language?

3.2

True or false?

  1. Parrots can copy words from people.
  2. A parrot always understands all the words.
  3. A famous parrot called Alex learned many words.
  4. Parrots live only one year.
  5. A small cage is a good home for a parrot.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Do you want a parrot?
  2. Is it good to keep a bird in a cage?
  3. Can animals understand us?
  4. What animal sound can you copy?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

Questions with can

Put can before the person. Do not use do / does. After can, use the base verb. Short answers: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

Can you swim? Yes, I can. Can she sing? No, she can't. Can your parrot talk? Can they speak English?

How well

Use well after the verb, not good. Use very well, well, a little, not very well, not at all to say how well.

I can swim very well. She can sing well. I can draw a little. He can't cook very well. I can't swim at all.

Block 7 review

Use the grammar from this block.

can and can't for ability (L31)

Common mistakes: in questions put can before the person, and use well (not good) after the verb. ✗ You can swim? → Can you swim? ✗ He can swim good → He can swim well. ✗ Can she sings? → Can she sing?

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. you swim?
  2. she sing?
  3. Yes, I
    .
  4. No, he
    .
  5. She can swim
    .
  6. Can your parrot
    ?
  7. I can't draw
    .
  8. Can they
    English?
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. You can swim? →
  2. He can swim good. →
  3. Can she sings? →
  4. Do you can swim? →
  5. She can speak English good. →
  6. Can he to cook? →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer with full sentences. Use can, can't and well.

  1. Can you sing?
  2. Can you speak English well?
  3. Can you speak another language?
  4. Can you cook?
  5. What can your best friend do very well?
  6. Can you copy an animal sound?
5

Three people and a parrot, and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three people and a parrot

Three people tell about parrots. Compare them. Who has a parrot? Who can't hear it? What can a parrot say in your language?

Person 1

Dana, 28

  • Has a grey parrot
  • Her parrot can say ten words
  • Can't hear it at night
  • Keeps it in a big cage
Person 2

Peter, 45

  • Doesn't have a pet
  • Can copy a cat
  • Sings a little
  • Can't draw at all
Person 3

Mrs Green, 65

  • Lives with a parrot
  • Her parrot says "Hello"
  • Can talk to it for hours
  • Cooks very well
5.2

Mini-talk: what can and can't do

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: ask your teacher three questions with Can you...?
  3. Part 2: say what you can do very well and a little.
  4. Part 3: say what you can't do very well.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Can you sing?
  2. Can you speak English well?
  3. Can you cook?
  4. Can you draw?
  5. Can you swim?
  6. Can you copy an animal?
  7. Can you dance?
  8. Can you play any game well?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who can sing in your family?
  2. Who can cook very well?
  3. Who can draw?
  4. Who can speak another language?
  5. Who can't swim?
  6. Who can dance?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is it good to know many languages?
  2. Can all people learn to sing?
  3. Is it good to be clever?
  4. Can animals talk?
  5. Is a parrot a good pet?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

Buying a pet

You

Customer

You are in a pet shop (your teacher is the seller):
  • ask if the parrot can talk
  • ask what it can say
  • ask if it can sing
  • say you would like it
Speak for at least 1 minute. Use Can...?
Your teacher

Seller

Says things like:
  1. Yes, it can.
  2. It can say Hello.
  3. No, it can't.
  4. Great!
7.2

Talking about abilities

You

Speaker

A new friend (your teacher) asks what you can do:
  • say three things you can do very well
  • say one thing you can do a little
  • say one thing you can't do
  • ask your friend a question with can
You do most of the talking. Use: I can... very well · I can... a little · Can you...?
Your teacher

Friend

Says things like:
  1. What can you do?
  2. Can you swim?
  3. What can't you do?
  4. Yes, I can.
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

parrotwordcopyvoicecagesoundlistenclever
  1. A colourful bird that can copy words is a .
  2. "Hello" and "Goodbye" are each a .
  3. To is to do or say the same thing as another person.
  4. The sound that you make when you speak or sing is your .
  5. Some people keep a bird in a .
  6. The ring of a phone or a door is a .
  7. To is to pay attention to a sound.
  8. Dogs and parrots learn quickly. They are animals.
H2

Choose the correct word

  1. you swim?
  2. he sing?
  3. Yes, she .
  4. No, I .
  5. He can swim .
  6. Can your dog ?
  7. She can't cook .
  8. Can they English?
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. Can you swim?
  2. You can swim?
  3. He can swim well.
  4. He can swim good.
  5. Can she sing?
  6. Can she sings?
  7. I can't cook very well.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. Can
  2. Yes,
  3. No,
  4. Can your parrot
  5. I can swim
  6. I can sing
  7. I can't draw

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.