a‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W1 / əbɪləti, əbɪlɪti / 名词 ( 复数形式 abilities )

1 [可数名词] the state of being able to do something

ability to do something

the ability to walk

The health center serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

2 [可数和不可数名词] someone’s level of skill at doing something :

The test measures your mathematical ability.

mixed ability classes

of high/low etc ability

students of average ability

There are musicians of all abilities.

somebody’s abilities as something

He showed his abilities as a leader.

3 to the best of your ability as well as you can :

He completed the job to the best of his ability.

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

high/low/average ability a group of low ability pupils | Many of these students are of above average ability. | Children of high ability demand more absorbing tasks.

great/considerable ability He was a young man of great ability. | These drawings required considerable ability on the part of the artist.

remarkable/outstanding/exceptional ability a writer of remarkable ability | The company aims to select people of outstanding ability. | his exceptional ability as a swimmer

mixed ability (= at different levels ) a mixed ability class

uncanny ability (= an unusual ability that is difficult to explain ) He has an uncanny ability for spotting investment opportunities.

natural ability ( also innate ability formal ) (= an ability that you are born with ) He didn’t have the natural ability of his brother. | Babies have an innate ability to do simple maths.

physical/athletic ability He has considerable athletic ability.

artistic/creative ability You do not need to have any artistic ability.

musical ability Tim showed musical ability at an early age.

acting ability Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.

mental ability The exercises are supposed to help you improve your mental ability.

intellectual/academic ability No one doubts his intellectual abilities. | A degree is evidence of your academic ability in a particular subject area.

动词 al/linguistic ability (= language skills ) The test is intended to measure the children’s linguistic ability.

mathematical ability These students have a higher level of mathematical ability.

proven ability (= that you have proved through your achievements ) Companies often value the proven ability and reliability of older employees.

动词

have the ability to do something ( also possess the ability to do something formal ) She has the ability to make people feel relaxed.

show/demonstrate the ability to do something a chance for candidates to demonstrate their abilities

lack the ability to do something As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.

短语

a level of ability/ability level The children were of the same age and ability level.

a range of ability/ability range There is a wide range of ability within the class. | Disruptive behaviour is more prominent in the lower ability range.

a test of ability/an ability test Examinations are not always a good test of ability. | The class was given a 动词 al ability test.

an ability group (= a group that students are taught in, based on their level of ability ) Children are divided into different ability groups.