📌 A1EN

When I Was a Child: Things I Could Do

A ready-to-use A1 English lesson — reading, questions and answer key, built by teachers on TeachIn.

This lesson has 3 sections in total — including the full answer key.

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📖 Reading

Last weekend, Amy and her family went to a big lake near their town. It was Amy's first time there, and she was very excited. The lake was very clean and blue. At the lake, there were many fun things to do. Amy's brother could swim, so he went into the water. Amy could not swim well, so she stayed near her mom and dad. Her little sister could not swim at all, so she played with sand near the water. Amy's dad had a small boat. Amy could sit in the boat with her dad. They could see fish under the water! Amy was very happy. She could also see birds in the sky above the lake. In the afternoon, the family had lunch under a big tree. After lunch, Amy's mom said, 'Look, Amy! You could try to swim now. The water here is not deep.' Amy was a little scared, but she tried. She could swim a little bit with her mom's help. It was a great day for everyone.

🗣️ Speaking — discussion

Context

'Could' is a word we use to talk about ability in the past.
For example: 'I could swim when I was five years old.'
We also use 'could' to ask for permission politely, like 'Could I open the window?'
This topic helps students talk about childhood abilities and skills.
Students will compare what they could do as children with what they can do now.

Themes

Childhood Abilities — Talking about skills and abilities we had when we were young.
Change Over Time — Comparing past abilities with present abilities.
Polite Requests — Using 'could' to ask for things politely.

Personal Response

What could you do when you were five years old?
Could you ride a bicycle when you were a child?
Could you swim when you were young?

Themes & Ideas

What is one thing you could do as a child but cannot do now?
What is one thing you couldn't do as a child but can do now?

Critical Thinking

Why do people lose some abilities as they get older?
Is it good to learn new skills as an adult? Why?

Cultural & Social Topics

What skills do children in your country usually learn early?
Do children today learn different things than in the past?

🎭 Classroom activity

Students draw two columns: 'When I was a child' and 'Now'. They write 3 things they could do as a child and 3 things they can do now, then share with a partner using 'could' and 'can'.

✏️ Questions

My little brother ___ swim very well, so he wins all the races at the pool.
___ you play the guitar? I want to learn from you.
There ___ a boy in the park who can ride a bike without help.
We ___ got a new dog, and it can already sit and stay.
Look! Those birds ___ flying so high in the sky right now.
My sister can't cook, but she ___ bake really delicious cakes.
Where did Amy's family go last weekend?
- a) To a big lake
- b) To a swimming pool
- c) To the sea
- d) To a park
Why did Amy stay near her mom and dad at the lake?
- a) Because she could not swim well
- b) Because she was tired
- c) Because she did not like water
- d) Because she wanted to eat lunch
What could Amy and her dad see from the boat?
- a) Fish under the water
- b) A big ship
- c) Other boats racing
- d) Her brother swimming
What did Amy's little sister do at the lake?
- a) She played with sand near the water
- b) She swam in the lake
- c) She sat in the boat
- d) She ate lunch under the tree alone
How does Amy probably feel at the end of the story?
- a) Proud, because she can swim a little now
- b) Angry with her mom
- c) Sad because she wants to go home
- d) Afraid of the boat
In the story, what does the word 'deep' describe?
- a) How far down the water goes
- b) How cold the water is
- c) How clean the water is
- d) How big the lake is