http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/elsc/material/Speaking/asking.htm

Introduction
Task 5: Role-Play
Task 1: Asking Questions
Task 6: Feedback to the Others
Task 2: Opening Expressions
Task 7
Task 3: Answering Questions
Task 8
Task 4
Reference for further reading
Introduction
Being able to interact socially is the basis of all language. Below are some simple tasks and phrases to help you with asking and answering questions socially. Practise these phrases and tasks with a friend. Hopefully you will find these phrases helpful and practical.

TASK 1: ASKING QUESTIONS
Match the topics with the questions!
TOPICS
QUESTIONS
1. MUSIC
a) What do you like doing in your spare time?
2. VALUES
b) Where have you been outside Hong Kong?
3. OTHER
c) What do you want to achieve in life?
4. SPORTS
d) Who do you live with?
5. HOBBIES
e) What do you most like playing?
6. TRAUVEL
f) What do you like best on television?
7. FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME
g) What are you studying at the PolyU?
8. AMBITION
h) Is there anything else?
9. PLACE OF BIRTH
i) What are the most important things in life for you?
10.MAIN SUBJECT
j) Where were you born?
k) Which pop star do you like to listen to?

However, to make questions sound more polite we normally use opening expressions like these before the question!
I wonder if you could tell me...
I wonder if you could tell me what you do in your spare time?
Would you mind telling me...
Would you mind telling me what you're studying at the PolyU?
I'd like to know...
I'd like to know where you were born.
Something else I'd like to know is...
Something else I'd like to know is which pop star you like to listen to.

Notice the way the questions are asked above. The introductory phrases change the way the question words are asked. The direct questions in task 1 have now become more polite and conversational.
Also notice the use of contractions: I'd; you're. This is normal in social English.

Task 2: Opening Expressions
Can you think of other polite opening expressions? Add them to the list above.
Sometimes we may want additional information if we don't get enough information right away or you want to extend the conversation further. Then we use techniques like these!
Could you tell me a bit more about...?
Sorry, but I'd like to know some more about...
I didn't quite follow what you said about... (asking for clarification)
Sorry to press you, but could you tell me...? (pushing for more information)
That's interesting. Could you explain further?

Task 3: Answering Questions
Can you think of other phrases for asking for additional information? Add them to the list. Remember - try to be polite and not too direct.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS
Before people answer a question they often use phrases like these to introduce the answer. These phrases are also good to give you time to think of what to say:
Well, let me see..Well now...Oh, let me think for a moment...That's an interesting question...

Sometimes, though, you may want to avoid answering altogether. Then we use phrases like these:
I'm sorry: I'm not really sure.I can't tell you off-hand, I'm afraid.I'm terribly sorry, I really don't know.I've no idea, I'm afraid.I can't answer that one, but I'll tell you where you can find out...I'd rather not answer that, if you don't mind.I'm very sorry but I don't like answering personal questions.

Task 4
Try to add additional phrases of your own to the 2 lists above.

Task 5: ROLE-PLAY
Now interview each other. Take turns asking and answering questions. Try to develop a conversation. (You could use Task 1 as a guide or a different situation of your choice).
Use the questions and phrases on page 1 & 2 and make notes of your partner's answers. Find out as much as you can about him/her, ask other interesting questions - but remember, be polite!

Task 6: FEEDBACK TO THE OTHERS
If you have other people with you, use the notes you made from the role play and present your partner to the others. (If there aren't other people available just give feedback to your partner). Try to give the information in an interesting way - make your partner "Come alive"! If you were surprised by some information let the others know. If something was interesting say so!
For example:
"I was surprised to find out that Gary doesn't have a TV. He said he doesn't like spending time watching television but prefers the radio instead. I thought this was surprising because most people have a TV and enjoy watching different programmes..."
"I was interested in hearing about Fanny's trip to Europe 2 years ago. She spent 2 weeks visiting 5 countries and had a great time. I have never been abroad but would love to go one day..."
Remember - try to make your partner as interesting as you can!

Task 7
Further practice at asking and answering questions. Get a (different) partner to give you as much information as possible about his / her:
Primary / Secondary school life. Major subject at the PolyU.Favourite way of spending weekends. Favourite way of spending evenings.Room in his / her home. Ambitions and hopes for the future.

Task 8
Also get your partner to tell you as much as possible about:
A place they have visitedA part time job they've hadA magazine / book they've readA film they've seenAn interesting / bad experience they've had What they love / hate doing.

Hopefully the phrases in this worksheet can help you to ask and answer questions more easily.
The key to this worksheet is to experiment with different phrases and to get a "feel" for how they are used. Don't forget that in a conversation or interview the exchange of ideas and opinions has to be two-way -- try and keep the communication going!

Reference for further reading:
Jones, L. (1981) Functions of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 2. (Polytechnic University library number PE 1128.J.56)
"Asking Questions, Seeking Clarification & Interrupting” Worksheet prepared by Charles Griffith, Department of English, September 1997.


Last revised 15 September 1998
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