My name is Gemma and I live on a little Scottish isle. Every morning, my family uses different ways to go to work or school.
My father always drives by car but he can’t ride a bike. My mother usually takes the bus because she can’t sail because she is afraid of the water!
My older brother often walks to work—he can run fast and he likes walking. I sometimes ride a bike to school, but today I can’t because it is raining. I always go by boat on school days—the boat is slow but I can see sea lions!
My sister never takes the car; she usually uses the scooter and she can do it safely.
🧮 Activities
Activity 1: Comprehension
Answer these questions using full sentences:
- What means of transport does Gemma’s father always use?
- Why can’t Gemma’s mother sail?
- What happens today that stops Gemma from riding a bike?
- What does Gemma always do on school days?
- Who never takes the car?
Activity 2: Grammar (frequency & ability)
Complete the sentences with the correct frequency adverb AND can / can’t. Then multiple choice questions, then free answers.
a. Fill in the blanks:
- My father _________ (always / never) drives by car because he _________ ride a bike.
- I _________ (sometimes / usually) ride a bike to school, but today I _________ because of rain.
- My sister _________ (never / often) takes the car and she _________ do it safely.
b. Multiple Choice (Level appropriate):
- Gemma’s mother ___ takes the bus.
A) never
B) usually
C) sometimes - Which is correct about Gemma?
A) She always rides a bike to school
B) She sometimes rides a bike to school
C) She rarely rides a bike - Her brother often walks to work because he ___ run fast.
A) can
B) can’t
C) doesn’t
c. Free answer:
- Write two sentences about you and your family using “can / can’t” and a frequency adverb. For example:
“My mum can drive to work, but she never takes the train.” - Imagine a friend who is lazy with transportation: write what they often can’t or seldom do, using “can’t” + transport vocabulary.
- Compare yourself with Gemma: what can you always do, what can’t you do, and how often?
Lingua-Franca 