Question

I.......... Swim when I was young

Answer 1

Answer:

I was able to swim when I was young.

Answer 2

I could swim when I was young.

About modal verbs:

• We are given a blank which has to be filled in with the appropriate word.
• As we already have a verb 'swim', we understand that we have to use the most appropriate modal verb.
• They are supporting verbs that come along with the main verb. (Eg): can, could, may, might, will, shall, should, would etc.,
• As and when we read the sentence we understand that the sentence is about something that was in the past. It could be got from the phrase 'when I was young'.
• So it means that we have to use past tense in the blank.
• The most appropriate modal verbs that could be used here are: could/ would.
• Therefore the answer is: I could/ would swim when I was young.