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Reading Worksheet

Learning to Play

A1 Modals of Ability: can, could, be able to Music and Learning 20 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • Can you play a musical instrument?
  • What instruments do you know?
  • Is music important to you?
  • Is it easy or hard to learn an instrument?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
practise (v.) to do something again and again to get better Mia practises piano every day.
chord (n.) a group of musical notes played together Tom can play three chords.
tune (n.) a simple piece of music Sara can play a short tune.
concert (n.) a music show Sara wants to play in the school concert.
instrument (n.) something you play music on She plays a musical instrument.
perform (v.) to play music for people She hopes to perform one day.
Reading Text
Magazine Article ~150 words

Learning to Play

Learning a musical instrument is not easy. But many children do it. Here are three children who are learning to play.

Mia is nine years old. She plays piano. She practises every day after school. Last year, she couldn't play at all. Now she can play simple songs. She is very happy.

Tom is eleven. He plays guitar. He can play three chords now. Six months ago, he couldn't play at all. He is trying to be able to play a full song by Christmas. He practises every weekend.

Sara is eight. She plays violin. It is hard. She couldn't make a nice sound at first. Now she can play a short tune. She hopes she will be able to play in the school concert next year.

Learning an instrument is hard work. You can't do everything at first. But if you practise, you can get better. These three children show that!

Notice the Grammar

Look at the article. Find the words 'can', 'could', and 'couldn't'. Which ones talk about now? Which ones talk about the past? Which phrase talks about the future?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer in a few words.

  1. What is this article about?
  2. How many children are in the article?
  3. Is learning an instrument easy or hard?
2 Reading for Detail

Write short answers.

  1. What instrument does Mia play?
  2. How many chords can Tom play?
  3. What does Sara want to do next year?
  4. When does Tom practise?  a) Every day after school b) Every weekend c) Every morning 
  5. What can Sara play now?
3 True, False, or Not Given

Write T, F, or NG.

  1. Mia couldn't play piano last year.
  2. Tom can play ten chords.
  3. Sara's teacher thinks she is very good.
  4. You can get better if you practise.
  5. Mia plays violin.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer questions about words from the article.

  1. What does 'practise' mean?  a) to stop doing something b) to do something again and again to get better c) to watch someone play music 
  2. What is a 'chord'?
  3. Find a word that means 'a simple piece of music'. 
  4. What does 'perform' mean here? Write your own definition.
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities about can, could, and be able to.

  1. Find sentences with 'can', 'could', and 'couldn't'. Write one of each.
    can:   could/couldn't:   be able to:  
  2. We use 'could' and 'couldn't' for the past. We use 'can' for the present. Write a sentence about yourself: 'When I was 5, I couldn't ___. Now I can ___.'
  3. Choose the correct word: 'Last year, she _____ play piano.'  a) can't b) couldn't c) isn't able to 
  4. Rewrite: (a) 'Sara plays a short tune now.' → 'Sara _____ play a short tune now.' (b) 'Tom did not play guitar a year ago.' → 'A year ago, Tom _____ play guitar.'
  5. Write two sentences: one thing you can do now, and one thing you couldn't do two years ago.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss with a partner. Share one idea with the class.

  1. What can you do well? What couldn't you do two years ago?
  2. Is it important for children to learn music? Why?
  3. What would you like to be able to do one day?

Answer Key

Learning to Play — A1 — Modals of Ability: can, could, be able to

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. Three children learning musical instruments.
  2. Three.
  3. Hard.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. Piano.
  2. Three chords.
  3. Play in the school concert.
  4. b)
  5. A short tune.

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. T — The article says 'Last year, she couldn't play at all.'
  2. F — The article says he can play three chords.
  3. NG — The article does not mention Sara's teacher.
  4. T — The article says 'if you practise, you can get better.'
  5. F — Mia plays piano, not violin.

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. A group of musical notes played together.
  3. tune
  4. To play music in front of people / for an audience.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. e.g. 'She can play simple songs.' / 'She couldn't play at all last year.' / 'He is trying to be able to play a full song.'
  2. Answers will vary. Answers will vary. Check: couldn't + infinitive (past); can + infinitive (present).
  3. b)
  4. (a) Sara can play a short tune now. (b) A year ago, Tom couldn't play guitar.
  5. Answers will vary. Answers will vary. Check: can + base verb (now); couldn't + base verb (past).

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.