Topic 1.10.3 Question Formation
QUESTION FORMATION
Discussion questions
| What is the most interesting question someone has ever asked you? |
| If you could ask any famous person one question, who would you ask, and what would it be? |
| Why do you think asking questions is important in communication? |
| Can you think of a situation where asking the right question changed the outcome of a conversation? |
| How do you form questions in your native language? Is it similar to English? |
| Do you find it easier to ask or answer questions in English? Why? |
| If you could ask an alien three questions, what would they be? |
| What question would you ask if you could know the answer to any mystery in the world? |
| What question do you think nobody has ever asked before? |
| If you could create a question that everyone had to answer honestly, what would it be? |
Word order
We make questions with tenses when there is an auxiliary verb (be, have, etc.) and with modal verbs (should, must, etc.) by inverting the subject and the auxiliary/modal verb. With the present and past simple, we add the auxiliary verb do/does/did before the subject.
How long have you been waiting?
How many children does your sister have?
Should we buy her a present?
Negative questions
We often use negative questions to show surprise when we expect somebody to agree with us, or to check whether something is true.
Why didn’t you like the film?
Isn’t this a beautiful place?
Don’t you have to be at school today?
Questions with prepositions
If a verb is normally followed by a preposition, e.g. talk about sth, the preposition comes at the end of the question, not at the beginning.
We often use the question word and the preposition, e.g. A: I’m thinking. B: What about?
What are they talking about?
Who does this bag belong to?
When who/what/which, etc., is the subject of questions in the present or past simple, we don’t use do/did, e.g. Who wrote this? NOT Who did write this?
Who lives in that house?
How many people follow you on Twitter?
INDIRECT QUESTIONS
Could you tell me what time the shop next door opens?
Do you know if (whether) Mark’s coming to the meeting?
We use indirect questions when we want to ask a question in a more polite way. We begin with a phrase such as Can/Could you tell me…? Do you know…? Do you think…? ´Do you remember…? Would you mind telling me…? Do you have any idea…?
Compare…
What time does the post office open? (direct question) and
Could you tell me what time the post office opens? (indirect question)
In indirect questions, the order is subject + verb. Can you tell me where it is? NOT Can you tell me where is it?
We don’t use do/did in the second part of the question. Do you know where he lives? NOT … where does he live?
You can use if or whether in questions without a question word and after: Could you tell me, Do you know, etc.
Other expressions followed by the word order of indirect questions.
The word order of indirect questions is used after:
I wonder…, e.g. I wonder why they didn’t come.
I’m not sure…, e.g. I’m not sure what time it starts.
I can’t remember…, e.g. I can’t remember where I left my phone.
I’d like to know…, e.g. I’d like to know what time you’re coming home.
Find Someone Who… (Indirect Questions Edition)
- Create a “Find Someone Who…” worksheet with prompts like:
- …has travelled to another country recently.
- …can recommend a good book or TV show.
- …likes to cook.
Instructions:
- Move around and ask each other indirect questions (e.g., Can you tell me if you’ve travelled to another country recently?).
- Write down the name of the classmate who fits the description.
Interview Role Play
Objective: Practice using indirect questions in professional scenarios.
In pairs or small groups.
- Assign roles like interviewer and job candidate, journalist and celebrity, or manager and new employee.
- Provide the interviewers with a list of direct questions they must turn into indirect questions. For example:
- Direct: “Where are you from?”
- Indirect: “Could you tell me where you’re from?”
Problem-Solving Task
Objective: Use indirect questions in a collaborative scenario.
Scenario 1: Planning a Weekend Trip: organize a weekend getaway for friends.
E.g. Find out if the local train station is close to the hotel.
- Check if there’s a discount for group tickets.
- Ask whether there are any vegetarian restaurants nearby.
- Determine what time the park opens on Saturday.
Example Indirect Questions:
- Do you know if the train station is near the hotel?
- Could you find out whether there’s a discount for group tickets?
Scenario 2: Organizing a Company Event: organize a networking event for 50 professionals.
E.g. Ask if the venue allows external catering.
- Find out what the seating capacity of the venue is.
- Check if the guest speaker will need AV equipment.
- Ask whether the venue offers parking facilities.
Example Indirect Questions:
- Can you tell me if the venue allows external catering?
- Would you mind asking whether the guest speaker will need AV equipment?
PRACTICE EXERCISES
Employee Engagement Survey
1.Work in pairs or small groups.
2.Create 10 questions you would ask employees to understand their satisfaction and engagement at work. Use different question types (e.g., Yes/No, WH-questions, choice questions, etc.).
3.Example question types:
- Yes/No: “Do you feel appreciated at work?”
- WH-Question: “What do you think could improve your working environment?”
- Choice Question: “Would you prefer flexible hours or a higher salary?”
Topics to include:
- Job satisfaction
- Work environment
- Career development opportunities
- Relationship with colleagues
- Work-life balance
4.Once the questions are prepared, take turns asking your survey questions to other groups. Note their responses.