The graph below shows the changes in the places where people used to surf the Internet in the years 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant

1. Graph Type: Column Graph

2.Title: Changes in Internet Access Locations (1998-2004)

3.Units of Measurement : Percentage of Internet users

4.Who: General population accessing the Internet

5. When: 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004

6. Where: Various locations (home, office, college, library)

7. Topic:  Trends in Internet access by location over time

•  Details:

    1.  Internet access from home was the most common method, starting at approximately 55% in 1998.

    2. This percentage dropped to 48% in 2000 but increased steadily thereafter, reaching 55% again by 2004.

• Details:

  1. Access from the office fluctuated between 25% and 30% from 1998 to 2002.

  2. However, there was a significant drop to 15% by 2004, marking a declining trend in office usage

Details:

  1. The percentage of people accessing the Internet in colleges remained relatively stable at around 18%-25% throughout the years.

  2. Access in libraries was the least popular, fluctuating between 12% and 18% during the same period

The column graph illustrates the changes in locations where people accessed the Internet from 1998 to 2004. It is evident that home remained the most popular place for Internet use throughout the years.

In 1998, approximately 55% of users accessed the Internet from home, but this figure declined to about 48% in 2000. Following this dip, home access steadily increased again, reaching 55% by 2004. The office was the second most common location for Internet use, with a stable proportion of 25%-30% from 1998 to 2002. However, this figure dropped sharply to 15% in 2004.

Access from colleges fluctuated between 18% and 25% during the observed years, indicating a relatively consistent trend. Conversely, library access remained the least utilized, with a percentage fluctuating between 12% and 18%.

Overall, the data highlights a significant discrepancy between home Internet access and usage in other locations, which remained consistently lower across the four years.

Top 27  Vocabularies

Must and Can’t: A Comprehensive Guide to Usage, Meaning, and Examples

Understanding modal verbs such as "must" and "can't" is crucial for mastering English grammar. These two verbs are powerful tools for expressing certainty, necessity, and impossibility. Whether you are a beginner, an advanced learner, or someone teaching English to children, this guide is tailored to meet your needs. It provides SEO-friendly, professional content to help learners understand the nuances of "must" and "can't."

Table of Contents

1. What Is the Difference Between Can and Could?

2. Table Summarizing Can vs Could

3. Detailed Meanings of Can and Could

4. Examples of Can and Could in Sentences

5. Key Usage Rules for Can and Could

6. Practice Questions to Test Your Understanding

7. Frequently Asked Questions on Can vs Could

8. Conclusion

1. What Is the Difference Between Can and Could?

Both "can" and "could" are modal verbs used to express ability, possibility, and permission. However, they differ in meaning and context:

• • "Can" refers to something happening in the present or future and indicates a strong possibility or ability.
  • "Could" often talks about something in the past, expresses a weaker possibility, or makes polite requests.

2. Table Summarizing Can vs Could

Here is a list of modal verbs with their primary functions:

3. Detailed Meanings of Can and Could

What Does "Can" Mean?

Ability: Expresses the capability to do something.

• • Example: I can swim well.

Permission: Grants or asks for permission.

• • Example: You can use my phone.

Possibility: Indicates a strong likelihood.

• • Example: It can get very hot in the desert.

What Does "Could" Mean?

Past Ability: Refers to something someone was able to do in the past.

• • Example: When I was a child, I could climb trees.

Polite Request: Used to make polite requests.

• • Example: Could you help me with my homework?

Weaker Possibility: Expresses something less certain or hypothetical.

• • Example: It could rain later today.

4. Examples of Can and Could in Sentences

Here are some examples to help you see the difference clearly:

Using "Can":

1. Ability:

• • • • She can play the guitar beautifully.

2. Permission:

• • • • You can leave early if you finish your work.

3. Possibility:

• • • • This road can be dangerous at night.

Using "Could":

1. Past Ability:

• • • • He could solve difficult math problems as a child.

2. Polite Request:

• • • • Could you please lend me your notebook?

3. Weaker Possibility:

• • • • This old house could collapse in a storm.

5. Key Usage Rules for Can and Could

1. Tense Matters:

• • Use "can" for present and future situations.
  • Use "could" for past situations or hypothetical scenarios.

2. Politeness:

• • "Could" is often used to make requests sound more polite.

3. Possibility Levels:

• • "Can" shows a higher chance of something happening.
  • "Could" shows a lower or uncertain possibility.

6. Practice Questions to Test Your Understanding

Fill in the blanks with the correct form (can or could):

1. She _______ dance gracefully when she was younger.

2. I _______ help you with your homework tomorrow if you want.

3. _______ you please pass me the salt?

4. It _______ snow tonight, so bring a jacket just in case.

5. We _______ go to the park this evening if it doesn’t rain.

Answers:

1. could

2. can

3. Could

4. could

5. can

7. Frequently Asked Questions on Can vs Could

Q1: Can "can" and "could" be used interchangeably?

No, they cannot be used interchangeably. "Can" is for present or strong possibilities, while "could" is for past, polite requests, or weaker possibilities.

Q2: Is "could" always more polite than "can"?

Yes, "could" is considered more polite, especially in requests.

Q3: Can "could" be used in the present tense?

Yes, "could" can be used in the present tense for polite or hypothetical statements.