Basic Italian in 30 Days: Can you help me?

1. Question 1 of 10

   What does "Può aiutarmi?" mean?

   • ACan I help you?
   • BWho can help me?
   • CDo you need help?
   • DCan you help me?
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Can you help me?

   Può is the formal you form of potere, and aiutarmi means to help me.

2. Question 2 of 10

   Choose the correct verb: Noi non ___ venire domani.

   • Apossono
   • Bpotiamo
   • Cpossiamo
   • Dpotete
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   Answer: C. possiamo

   Potere is irregular. With noi it is possiamo. Possono is for loro and potete for voi.

3. Question 3 of 10

   Choose the correct verb: Tu ___ chiudere la porta?

   • Apuoi
   • Bpoi
   • Cpuò
   • Dposso
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   Answer: A. puoi

   With tu, potere is puoi. Può is for lui, lei or Lei, and poi means then.

4. Question 4 of 10

   Which request is the most polite?

   • AApri la finestra!
   • BAprire la finestra.
   • CDevi aprire la finestra.
   • DPotrebbe aprire la finestra, per favore?
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Potrebbe aprire la finestra, per favore?

   Potrebbe (could you) with per favore is very polite. Apri! is a direct order, and devi means you must.

5. Question 5 of 10

   A shop assistant says to you: "Posso aiutarla?" What does it mean?

   • ACan you help me?
   • BDo you need a bag?
   • CCan I pay by card?
   • DCan I help you?
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Can I help you?

   Posso means I can and aiutarla means to help you (formal). Shop staff often say this.

6. Question 6 of 10

   Someone says: "Grazie mille per l'aiuto!" What do you answer?

   • APer favore!
   • BPrego!
   • CScusi!
   • DPermesso!
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Prego!

   Prego means you're welcome. Per favore means please, so it is not an answer to grazie.

7. Question 7 of 10

   How do you say "I can swim" (I know how)?

   • APosso nuotare.
   • BSono nuotare.
   • CSo nuotare.
   • DHo nuotare.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. So nuotare.

   For a skill you have learned, use sapere: so nuotare. Posso nuotare means I am allowed or able to swim now.

8. Question 8 of 10

   Listen. Where is the station?

   Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

   No sound? Read the text instead

   Turista: Mi scusi, mi può dire dov'è la stazione?
   Signore: Certo, è in fondo a questa strada, a destra.

   • AFar away, by bus
   • BAt the end of this street, on the left
   • CAt the end of this street, on the right
   • DNext to the church
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At the end of this street, on the right

   In fondo a questa strada means at the end of this street, and a destra means on the right.

   Transcript

   Turista: Mi scusi, mi può dire dov'è la stazione?
   Signore: Certo, è in fondo a questa strada, a destra.

9. Question 9 of 10

   Listen. How can the customer pay today?

   Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

   No sound? Read the text instead

   Cliente: Posso pagare con la carta?
   Cassiera: Mi dispiace, oggi accettiamo solo contanti.

   • AOnly by card
   • BBy card or cash
   • COnly in cash
   • DNext week
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Only in cash

   The cashier says Mi dispiace, oggi accettiamo solo contanti: today we accept only cash.

   Transcript

   Cliente: Posso pagare con la carta?
   Cassiera: Mi dispiace, oggi accettiamo solo contanti.

10. Question 10 of 10

    Read the library sign. What can you do there?

    Biblioteca comunale
    Qui si può: leggere, studiare, usare il Wi-Fi gratis.
    Qui non si può: mangiare, bere, telefonare.

    • AMake phone calls
    • BEat a snack
    • CHave a drink
    • DUse the Wi-Fi for free
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Use the Wi-Fi for free

    Si può means you can. The sign says you can read, study and use the Wi-Fi for free (gratis), but not eat, drink or make calls.

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