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Help the college freshman complete this humorous roommate introduction email by selecting the correct option for each blank.
"Hi! I'm Alex. Fun fact about me: When I was five years old, I _________________________ memorize entire dinosaur encyclopedias. Now that I am twenty, I _________________________ even remember where I put my keys five minutes ago. I look forward to living together!"
could
We use "could" to talk about a general ability we had in the past. Since Alex is talking about when they were five, the past tense modal is required.
can't
We use "can't" (cannot) to express a lack of ability in the present. Alex is talking about their memory "now," so the present tense negative modal is correct.