Topic 1.5.4 Focus Groups and Question Tags
WORKING WITH A FOCUS GROUP
1.Discussion
Read the definition of a focus group. Would you find it interesting to be in one to discuss a new product? Why/Why not?
Focus group:
a small diverse group of participants chosen using criteria to represent target customers for a new product or service. A company brings them together with a moderator who asks questions to find out what they think to gather qualitative data.
2.Vocabulary
Look at the definition of a focus group in Ex. 1 again.
3.Listening
A.Look at the following statements. Which do you think are true and which ones false?
- Focus groups may be used to gather information before a product is put on the market.
- The moderator helps to keep the conversation focused.
- Participants should try to agree with each other.
- Participants inn focus groups should all be very similar.
- It can be helpful for the moderator to record focus group discussions.
B.Listen to a moderator welcoming participants to a focus group and answer the following questions true or false.
4.Listen to the first part of the focus group discussion and click on the topics mentioned.
5.Listen again
6.Listen to the second part of the focus group discussion. What new type of question does the moderator ask?
7.Complete the gaps, then listen again and check your answers.
8.Work in pairs and discuss the app. Would you be interested in a service like this? Why/Why not? Is there anything you would change about it? If so, what?
9.Grammar
A.Look at the extracts from the focus group discussion.
B.What are the rules for forming question tags?
Grammar Box
To change a statement into a question, we can add a question tag to the end. We do this by using be, an auxiliary or modal verb and the subject from the original sentence.
- When the original sentence is positive, we add a negative tag, and vice versa.
There isn’t anything like this at the moment, is there?
We don’t know how good the restaurants are, do we?
If there was a place nearby for lunch, you would go there sometimes, wouldn’t you?
- When the original sentence doesn’t have be, an auxiliary or modal, we use a form of do.
It combines convenience with healthy eating, doesn’t it?
We always had about an hour last semester, didn’t we?
You know this will be recorded, don’t you?
Note: When the subject is I, we use are/aren’t in the tag.
- When the original sentence contains a negative adverb, like hardly, never, rarely, etc., we add a positive tag.
He’s never on time, is he?
- When the original sentence contains this or that, the tag uses it and a singular verb. When the original sentence contains these or those, the tag uses they and a plural verb.
That wasn’t a very good idea, was it?
These are the menus you wanted, aren’t they?
- When the original sentence contains somebody, someone, everybody or everyone, the tag uses they and a plural verb.
Everyone knows about the new product already, don’t they?
- When the original sentence contains nobody or no one, the tag uses they and a plural positive verb.
Nobody knows the answer, do they?
- When the original sentence contains something, the tag uses it and a singular verb.
Something is wrong here with the app, isn’t it?
- When the original sentence contains nothing, the tag uses it and a singular positive verb.
Nothing is as easy as it looks, is it?
- When the original sentence contains Let’s, the tag is shall we?
Let’s get started, shall we?
- We can also use question tags with imperatives. The tags usually use a form of will.
Please speak slower, will you? (request)
Have a seat, won’t you? (invitation)
Listen carefully, would you? (polite command)
10.Practice Exercises
11.Speaking
A.Imagine you have just met someone you haven’t seen for a while and would like to chat with him/her. Work with a partner to write down some sentences with question tags you could use to make conversation. Use the ideas in the box or your own ideas.
friends local restaurants or cafés hometown parties school
sports university volunteer organisations work
We met at university, didn’t we?
You’re friends with Philip in the London office, aren’t you?
Let’s go for a drink tonight to catch up, shall we?
B.Work with a new partner and roleplay the conversation. Use some of your sentences with question tags from Ex. 11A and improvise where necessary.
Homework
Try these online exercises to practice question tags
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/question-tags-exercise-1.html