Unit 11: Saving the Animals
Grammar Theory: Reported Speech
We use reported speech to tell someone what another person said. Usually, the main verb in the reported sentence is in the past tense (e.g., said, told), and the rest of the sentence moves one step back in time.
- Present Simple → Past Simple: “I like tigers.” → He said (that) heliked tigers.
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous: “I am watching a documentary.” → She said she was watching a documentary.
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect: “We have seen the elephants.” → They said they had seen the elephants.
- Can → Could: “I can help.” → He said he could help.
- Will → Would: “I will donate money.” → She said she would donate money.
Note: Pronouns often change (I → he/she) and time expressions change (tomorrow → the next day).
Rewrite the direct speech as reported speech using the verb in parentheses.
- “The orangutan population is falling.” (The scientist said…)
- “We need to protect natural habitats.” (Shetold me…)
- “I have never seen a blue whale.” (Tom said…)
- “Volunteers can make a difference.” (The article said…)
- “We are raising money for the charity.” (They said…)
- “I will visit the wildlife sanctuary tomorrow.” (Maria said…)
- “You must not feed the animals.” (The ranger told us…)
- “I can’t find my camera.” (He said…)
Grammar Theory: Can, Could, and Be Able To
These verbs express ability and possibility. Can is used for present ability. Could is used for general past ability. Be able to can be used in all tenses, including the future.
- Present: I can swim. / I am able to swim.
- Past (General): When I was young, I could run fast.
- Past (Specific Achievement): We were able to rescue the bird yesterday. (Not ‘could’)
- Future: Someday, we will be able to stop extinction.
Complete the sentences with can, can’t, could, couldn’t, or the correct form of be able to.
- I ______ swim to that island; it’s too far for me now.
- When he was a child, he ______ draw animals very well.
- In the future, scientists ______ clone extinct species.
- We ______ find the rare bird yesterday because it was hiding.
- ______ you please help me carry this heavy bagof pet food?
- Despite the storm, the team ______ save the stranded dolphins last night.
- I’m sorry, I ______ come to the charity event next week.
- Penguins ______ fly, but they are excellent swimmers.
Match the words (1-8) with their definitions (A-H) related to saving animals.
2. Extinct
3. Conservation
4. Species
5. Survive
6. Pollution
7. Environment
8. Rescue
B. A group of animals that are similar.
C. The natural home of an animal.
D. Damage to water or air by harmful substances.
E. When an animal type is gone forever.
F. To save someone or something from danger.
G. The protection of natural resources.
H. The natural world around us.
Read the short text and write True (T) or False (F).
“The IUCN Red List shows that 28% of all species are in danger. In Borneo, the orangutan population has fallen by 50% in the last sixtyyears. There are now only about 400,000 African elephants left in the wild. Habitat loss is a major cause.”
- Less than a quarter of allspecies are in danger. (___)
- The text mentions Asian elephants. (___)
- Orangutan numbers in Borneo have increased recently. (___)
- Habitat loss is a problem for animals. (___)
- There are exactly 400,000 elephants in the world. (___)
- The Red List tracksendangered plants and animals. (___)
- 50% of orangutans have disappeared from Borneo in the last 60 years. (___)
- African elephantsare mentioned in the text. (___)
Circle the correct option: said, told, or asked.
- She (said / told) me that she was a vegetarian.
- The teacher (asked / said) us to open our books.
- He (told / said) that the zoo was closed.
- They (asked / told) if I wanted to volunteer.
- My friend (said / told) me a secret about the cat.
- The guide (told / asked) the tourists not to use flash photography.
- John (said / told) he liked the documentary.
- I (asked / said) where the nearest vet was.
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence regarding modals.
- I can to swim very well.
- She could found the answer yesterday.
- Will you can help me tomorrow?
- He wasn’t able go to the meeting.
- I couldn’t understood what the guide said.
- We willable to see the lions next week.
- Can you played the guitar?
- They didn’t could finish the project.
