ee How to ask AT es tl ons Betty Kirkpatrick (ob fe jike..-? Sthe Ee oe eM 10 a?© 2007 Leamers Publishing Pte Lid First published 2007 by Learners Publishing Pte Ltd 222 Tagore Lane, #03-01 TG Building, Singapore 787603 All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, or transmitted by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Email: [email protected] Visit our website: http:/mww.learners.com.sg ISBN 978 981 4151 139 Printed by COS Printers Pte Ltd — Please remember that unauthorized photocopying of this book is illegal. AssoctsTe CONPANES RIC Learners International Limited P.O. Box 332, Greenwood WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6924 RIC Publications Limited (Asia) 5th floor, Gotanda Mikado Building 2.5-8 Hiratsuka, Shinagawa-ku Tokyo JAPAN 142-0051 Tel: 03-3788-9201 Fax: 03-3788-9202 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ricpublications.comCONTENTS PREFACE v INTRODUCTION 1 Part! Using whwords to Unit 3 Will and would 153 aa quesiions 3 unit Shaifand should 173 Unit 1 Who, whom and whose 5 oynitS Must 181 Unit2 Which WV Practice 184 Unit3 = When 22 Unit 4 Where 28 Part4 Question Tags 189 Unit = Why uM Unit 1 Question tags with be 192 Unit 6 — What 41 Unit 2 Question tags with have 200 Unit? How 57 Unit3 — Question tags with do 206 Practice 72 Unit4 Question tags with can 213 ‘and could Part 2 Using auxiliary verbs 76 © Unit5 Question tags with may 218 fo ask questions and might Unit = Am, isand are 78 Unit 6 — Question tags with will 223 Unit 2 Was and were 88 rc woud Unit 3 Has, haveand had 94 Unit7 Question tags with shall 228 Unité Do, does and did 103 (ond shoul Practice 16 Unit 8 — Question tags with must 233 Practice 237 Part 3 Using modal verbs 120 fo ask questions ‘ANSWERS 241 Unit1 = Canand could 123 Unit 2 May and might 141 refacePREFACE It is important for learners of English to be familiar with the various ways that questions can be asked in English. Questions form an important element of English, particularly spoken English. Without such a knowledge of questions, and indeed without a corresponding knowledge of how to answer them, learners of English will be unable: to become truly fluent In conversational English. This book describes the various ways that questions can be asked In English. It gives copious examples of all the question methods so that learners can see the language of questions In action. These examples of questions come accompanied by appropriate answers. Language notes have been inserted throughout the book to add to the student's knowledge of questions. The book is divided into four parts, one part for each question method. Each part Is subdivided into units. Thus, for example, the part dealing with words beginning with wh- to ask questions Is divided into individual units, each dealing with a particular wh-word such as who, which, what, when, and so on. The part dealing with the use of modal verbs in asking questions is divided into individual units, each dealing with a particular modal verb such as can, could, would, should, and so on. Each unit is provided with two reading passages, especially written for the purpose. These show students how questions and answers are actually used in English and how they relate to each other ina continuous piece of prose. Each part is followed by a series of exercises based on the information given In each part. This enables students to discover how successful their studying of question methods-has been. Answers are provided for the various exercises. Iv Howto ask questions?INTRODUCTION Questions are sentences which seek information of some kind. They are followed by a question mark (?). There are several ways of asking questions in English. Questions using wh-words Acommon type of question in English is known as a wh-question because such a question begins with one of a series of words beginning with wh-. These include who, whom, whose, which, what, when, where, why and how, although hew does not begin with wh-. Wh-questions are seeking some kind of specific information and so require an answer other than yes or no. Such questions are sometimes known as open questions because they allow the person replying to the question a wider choice of answer than other questions do. * ‘What happened?’ ‘The driver lost control of the car.’ * ‘Who won the competition?’ Jack.’ * ‘Whose bike is that?’ ‘it’s mine.’ * ‘Which necklace do you prefer?’ ‘This one.’ The information given in reply to a wh- question Is often a sentence in more formal contexts, but sometimes, especially in less formal contexts, it can be a phrase, or even just one word: * ‘Why did you sell your flat?’'I needed more space.’ * ‘Who Is that?’ My girlfriend.’ Sometimes a question using a wh-word is a rhetorical question. Rhetorical questions take the form of questions, but they are not really used to seek inforrnation. In fact, they do not expect an answer at all. In many cases they are simply expressing a strong opinion or feeling on the part of the speaker, rather than expecting a response from the person they are speaking to: Introduction 1* ‘Who does she think she és? She had no right to use my computer without my permission.’ * ‘What on earth do you think you're doing? This Is private land.’ 2 Questions using auxiliary verbs Another method of asking questions in English involves the use of auxiliary verbs. Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, such as am, is, are, was, were, do, does, did, has, have, had, are often used in yes/no questions, questions which seek the answer yes or no, or an equivalent of one of these: * ‘Are you sure our neighbours have moved?’ * ‘Yes.1 saw the removal van outside their house yesterday.’ Or ‘No, but | know that they were planning to.’ Or ‘I don’t know.” 3 Questions using modal verbs Another method of asking questions involves the use of modal verbs. Modal verbs such as can, could, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, are often used In yes/no questions, questions which seek the answer yes or no, or an equivalent of one of these: * ‘Could you give me a lift to work tomorrow?’ 4 Questions using question tags Sometimes a question tag is added at the end of the statement, making It more obvious that the statement is, in fact, a question. A question tag is formed by using the same auxiliary verb or form of the verb *be’ as is used in the statement and this verb is followed by personal pronoun, which refers to the subject of the statement, such as can you?, might we?, isn’t it?, couldn't you?, cic. You use a question tag when you expect agreement from the person you are speaking to. You usually add a negative tag to a positive statement and a positive tag to a negative statement: * ‘You have your passport, haven’? your’ ‘Yes, here it is.” * ‘The child hasn't been sick again, has she?’ ‘No, she’s only been sick once.’ 2 How to ask questions?Part 1 Using Wh-words fo ask questions Wh-quesfions usually begin with a word beginning with wh-, such as who, whom, whose, which, what, when, where, why and how, although how does not begin with whe. You use these question words to ask for facts. The answer to a wii- question Is often asentence. Sometimes, especially In less formal contexts, It can be a phrase, or even just one word, However, the answer to wh-cuestions is never just yes or ne. Awh-question usually begins with one of the wh-words listed above: and ends with a question mark (7). The wh-word is often followed by a verb and this verb sometimes takes the form of a medal verb such as can, could, may, might, etc, or an auxiliary verb, such as is, are, did, has, etc. ‘When a wh-word is the subject of a question or part of the subject, the wh-word comes first and this is followed by the verb or verb group, the word order being the same as that of an ordinary statement: ° ‘What happened?’ “The driver lost control of the car’ * ‘Which flowers did you choose?’ “Roses.” When a wh-word Is the object of a verb or preposition, or when it is an adverb, the wh-word still comes first. The subject Is put after the first part of the verb group: * ‘Which do you prefer?’ + “Whai' Is she searching for?’ * ‘Where has the man gone now?’ ‘I don’t know.’+ ‘How does she feel now?” ‘She's still depressed,’ The Information given in reply to a wh- question Is often a sentence In more formal contexts, but sometimes, especially in less formal contexts, it can be a phrase, or even just one word: * ‘Why did you sell your flat?’ ‘|needed more space.’ + ‘Who is that?’ ‘My girlfriend.’ 4 How to ask questions?Unit 1 WHO, WHOM AND WHOSE Who You use who in questions when you want to know the name oridentity of someone or of some people. You use who to ask the name or identity of someone or of some people when who Is the subject of the verb: * ‘Who Is that man over there? He looks familiar.’ “That's Jim Brown, our MP” * ‘who are these people? | don’t recognize any of them.” “They‘re employees from one of the branches of the firm.’ + ‘Who is the new managing director?” ‘It’s Peter Allen. He’s just been language Help (2) appointed.” ot ‘ Note the spelling of who’s, lack keeps talking aboutane. Wines chisthecontracted form “she’s Jack’s new assistant.’ of whois...2Itis sometimes wrongly confused with + ‘Who are The Fliers?” whose, as in Whose car is ‘A new local pop group.’ that? * ‘Who’s Sue’s father? Apparently he lives around here.’ If you say What’s Sue’s “That's Jack White who lives next door father?, you are asking to my cousin Jean in King Street.’ what job he does. You - Wieesng here? | want to are not asking about his complain about the poor service,’ identity, Using whewords to ask questions 5‘Mr Allen, but I'm afraid he’s not here just now.” . te’s the men who iiroduoed the tre specier?” “That's Tom White, our marketing director. 2 You also use whic to enquire about the name or identity of someone or some people when who is the object or complement of a verb, except in very formal contexts; * ‘who did you invite?’ eee age (2) ‘Jim, He’s my new boyfriend.” 7 - Formerly, this use was lal cage of us,’ J considered ungrammatical . and whom was used in * ‘Who did the teacher punish?’ such contexts. See whom. ‘Jim and Bill,’ * ‘Who has she accused of theft?’ ‘She’s accused the cleaner.’ * ‘Who did you ask?’ “Lasked the shop manager.’ 3 You also use who to enquire about the name or identity of someone or some people when It is the object of a preposition, except in very formal contexts: * ‘Who will the children play wif?’ ‘My brother's children.” * ‘Who was Bob dancing wiih?’ ‘He danced with quite a few girs.” wbwike Help @Q ° ‘Who was Jack beaten by in the tennis final?” Formerly, this use was ‘Jim’s younger brother Bill.” . considered ungrammatical . . and whom was used in . re such contexts. See whom. ages.” * ‘Who were the winners chosen by?’ + “The principal.’ 4 You can also use who? on Its own, especially in response to something someone has said: 6 How to ask questions?* ‘I think | know who the thief is.” “Who?” ‘Yd better not say until | fell the police.’ * ‘I've discovered who Jane‘s new boyfriend is. ‘Who?’ ‘Jim White.” who are you io ...2 /who am [fo ...2 Jwho Is he, etc fo ...? You use these expressions to ask what right or authority someone has to do something. The expressions are often used In rhetarieal questions and often sound quite rude or unfriendly: * ‘Who are you fo criticize Sue for not coping with the children? You don’t language Hel know what It’s like to be a single mother orto have not enoughmoney _A rhetorical question is to live on.’ one to which the speaker * ‘Who Is he fo complain about what the °F ile oe pot expert government is doing with z our faxes? He’s unemployed and has never paid tax in his life.’ who asked you? You say wie cisked you? to someone who has made a comment or remark when you think that they should not have done so because whatis being discussed does not concern or involve them. It is often rather a rude expression and is usually a thetorical question: * ‘I think you are being rather hard on the girl.” ‘Whe asked you? I’m in charge of staff disciptine and I'll decide what's to be done and whats not to be done.’ ‘i think you should let Sue go on a gap year If she wants to. It'll be good for her” “who asked you? You're not the one who's going to have to pay for her foreign travel. | am!’ Using whwords to ask questions 7who can say? You use who can say? when you want to emphasize the lack of certainty or information relating to something. It is usually a rhetorical question: * ‘What will happen next? Will there be a war?’ ‘who can say? Only time will tell.” * ‘Will Jane and Jim get married?’ ‘Who can say? Jim’s had several serious girlfriends before.’ ee ee eo ae You can use who’s to say? instead of who can say?: * ‘WillJack get another job?’ ‘Who’s to say? He’s very talented, but there aren’t many jobs in his field around here.’ who cares? You use who cares? when you want to show that you do not think that something is at all important. It is often rather a rude expression and is usually a rhetorical question: * ‘The teacher said that she Is going to give us a surprise test some time this week.” ‘Who cares? All that matters is the exam at the end of the term.’ * 'We‘re going to be late for school If we don’t hurry up.’ ‘Who cares? It’s geography this morning and | hate geography.’ who do you think you are? / who does he, efc think he, etc is? You use these expressions when you are angry or surprised at something someone has done or said and want to point out that it was not their responsibility or right to do so. The expressions are rather rude and are usually rhetorical questions: 8 How fo ask questions?* ‘Your secretary said she wasn’t feeling well and Tom told her to go home.’ ‘Who does he think he is? | have important letters that should be sent today and my secretary is always saying that she doesn’t fee! welll’ * ‘There is going to be a bus strike tomorrow and so | told the staff that they could work at home tomorrow.’ “Who do you think you are? As human resource manager | would never have agreed to that. Most workers can find some other way to get here.’ who knows? You use who knows? in order to emphasize the fact that there is a lot of uncertainty or a lack of Information about something. The expression usually takes the form of a rhetorical question: © ‘Will this scheme be effective?’ ‘who knows? We'll Just have to hope that it works.” * ‘I hear the firm’s in financial trouble. What will happen now?’ ‘Who knows? We'll Just have fo walt and see.” who on earth ...? You can say whe an earth ...?, in less formal contexts, for emphasis, especially when you are surprised or angry about something: * ‘Who on earth made this mess in the kitchen?’ “The kids have been making a birthday cake for you.” * ‘Who on earth Is that woman wearing that dreadful hat?’ “That's the bride’s mother!’ eae Gag You can also use other phrases, such as who in the world...? or * ‘Who in Heaven's name was foolish enough to buy that ruined building?” ‘Actually, | bought it!” Using wh-words to ask questions 9who says? You use whe says? when you want to emphasize how much you want fo disagree with something that has been said. It is used in informal contexts, and Is rather tude and often takes the form of a rhetorical question: * ‘The Christmas party will have to be cancelled.’ “Who says? That's for me as organizer to decide.” * ‘You'll have to move out of the flat now that you and Sue have broken up. “Who says? The flat’s in my name. I’m not going anywhere!” who's that? 1 You can say who’s that? when you want someone to Identify themselves because you cannot see them: ‘Who’s that? Is there someone downstairs?’ ‘it’s me, Mum. | just came back for my bike. See you laterl” “I’m sure | heard someone in the garden. Who’s that?’ ‘It’s no one. It’s just the cat from next door.’ * ‘Who's that? | won‘t open the door at this time of night unless you tell me who ny nga you are, ‘it’s the police, Mrs Smith.’ You can also say who’s there? in this situation: * ‘I’m sure | heard a noise upstairs. Who’s there?’ You can also use who’s that? when you are asking someone the identity of someone else: * ‘Who’s that over there? He looks familiar.” ‘That's Jills husband.’ 10 How fo ask questions?2 You sometimes use who's that? when you want to know the identity of a telephone Ah nth, rz Gaze (2) caller, although it is more usual and more polite to say who’s speaking, please.You —_ In American English people usually use who’s that? in this context when sometimes use who’s this? you are annoyed, especially wnen no one _in the above context. says anything at the other end of the line: * ‘Who's that? I’m in a hurry.” whoever You can make a question sound more emphatic by using whoever instead of who, especially when you are surprised, shocked or angry about something. It sometimes introduces a rhetorical question. * ‘whoever would be cruel enough to treat a dog like that?’ * ‘Whoever would be foolish enough to invest in such a risky scheme?’ ‘People like my husband, unfortunately.’ * ‘Whoever can that be knocking at the door at this time of night?’ Whom You use whom in questions when you want to know the name or identity of someone or of some people. 1 You can use whom to enquire about the name or identity of someone or some people when whom Is the object or complement of a verb, but only in formal contexts: * ‘Whom shall we contact in an emergency in your absence, sir?’ ‘Please contact my deputy, Mr Brown.’ Using whwords to ask questions 11* ‘Whom Is the electorate likely to hold responsible If this project should fail?’ “The government, sir’ oop neath why | as prime minister, have decided not to proceed ‘Whom did the board of directors appoint as spokesperson?’ “The director in charge of human resources.’ (2) ayers ang aa In less formal contexts of this kind who is used. See who. 2 You can also use whom to enquire about the name or identity of someone or some people when witiom Is the object of a preposition, but only in formal contexts: . one Te ekettor To whom It may concern” and post it right ‘Cortainly sk ‘By whom were these changes to the law authorized?’ ‘They were authorized by the president himself’ ‘With whom does the accused normally associate?” ‘He Is a member of a gang called the Red Demons, sir’ Q ee erat Lae In less formal contexts of this kind who is used. See who. Note that, when whom is the object of a preposition, the preposition must be put in front of whom, not at the end of the sentence or clause. 12 How to ask questions?Whose Lael om eo You use whose as a pronoun or a determiner in questions to ask who something belongs to or to ask who something Is associated with or connected with. 1 You use whose to ask which person or people something belongs to: * ‘found this pen. Whose is it?’ ‘it’s mine. I lost it yesterday.’ * ‘Ifound this bag of books under the desk. Whose could It be?’ ‘it must belong to one of the students. * ‘Tfound these fools in the garage. VW/hose are “They‘re Tom’s. | borrowed them from him to repair the windows,’ * ‘Whose notebooks are these?’ “They belong fo the journalist who was here this morning.” ‘hose dog was run over in the street?’ ‘it was my neighbour's dog. She’s very upset. * ‘Whose car was stolen from the car park?’ ‘The marketing manager's.” Using whwords to ask questions 132 You use whose to ask which person or people something is associated with or connected with: “Whose fault was it?’ ‘We don’t know yet. In fact, the fire could have been accidental.’ ‘V/hose responsibility s It fo lock up the office after the cleaners have gone?’ [Wega €exae Caldas Q “The caretaker should do that.” « ‘yneeicb iF fo send out In the example sentences 1eggce dob kit fo send outinformation given here, whose is used pe as a determiner and so is {irs the managing director's secretary followed by a noun. 3 > Youcan use whose? on Its own, especially in response to something someone has said: * ‘Iknow whose car that is.’ ‘Whose?’ ‘it belongs to the new designer.” * ‘I've found out whose dog it was that attacked you.” ‘Whose?’ ‘It’s our new next-door neighbour's.” 14 How fo ask questions?gE Bill Jim dim Jim Jim dim Mobile dispute ‘Whose mobile rang just now? Tt was mine. Why? ‘You're supposed to switch it off in here. ‘Who says? It’s a school rule. I was told that that just applied to the classrooms. This is the common room. Whoever told you that? I don’t remember. In any case, 170 cares? There are no teachers here. ‘Alot ofthe other students will be annoyed if you use it in here. ‘Some of them come here to do some extra i ‘Well, I come here to relax and read magazines. hose ‘books are these on this chair? They’re mine. T’'ll just move them. ‘Thanks. By the way, whose job is it to tidy up in here? ‘The school cleaner cleans it, but we're all responsible for keeping it tidy. Who left those dirty coffee mugs there? Who knows? "The place was empty when I came in.principal Principal principal principal secretary A missing letter ‘Who's that man in the waiting room, Mrs Smith? I assume he’s a parent. That’s Mr Brown, Mr Jackson. Whose father is he? We have several students called Brown. He’s Jack Brown’s father, Jack’s in Year 3. Mr Brown’s here to complain about not receiving a letter he wrote about bullying. ‘To whom did he send the letter? I certainly have never seen such a letter. He said that he addressed it to you, Mr Jackson, but I haven’t seen it either. Veo opened your mail when I was on holiday last week? I know the temp only worked in the afternoons. T opened the letter myself and there was none from Mr Brown. Who is said to be bullying *vhom? Mr Brown says that Jack is being bullied by Tom White and Bill Jones. . ; Well, I won’t tolerate bullying in this school. Please ask Mr Brown to come into my office, Mrs Smith. Certainly, Mr Jackson.Unit2 = WHICH You use wiiich when you want someone to identify a particular person or thing, or a number of people or things, from a limited number of things or people. 1 You can use which as a proneun when you want to identify a particular person or thing from a fairly restricted number of different people or things: * ‘Which Is the university that has the best business course?’ “There are several universities with very good business courses, but I think Harvard'’s probably the best,’ * ‘Here's a list of the best restaurants In the area, Which do you fancy?’ ‘The French one sounds good, Let’s go there.’ * ‘Which Is the quickest route to the city?’ “The expressway is the quickest way, If you avold the rush hour’ * ‘You've tasted a selection of our best cheeses. Which did you like best?’ “That's a very difficult choice, but | think | prefer this one.’ * ‘like all three of these tables, Which is the cheapest?’ ‘it’s that one there.’ * ‘These children are all very talented. Which are the most artistic, do you think?” . ‘| would say Tom and Anne,” * ‘These are all the cakes | have left. Which of them would you like?’ ‘I'll have the strawberry one, please.’ 2 You can use whieh as a determiner when you want to identify a particular person or thing, or a particular group of people or things, from a fairly restricted number of different people or things: Using whewords fo ask questions 17* ‘Witieh carpet do you like best? There’s such a huge selection that | can’t decide.’ “Hike this plain dark blue one.’ * “Which wedding dress did you choose?’ ‘leventually decided on the first one we saw." “Which parents reacted most positively to the criticism?’ ‘In fact, It was the older parents who did 50," * ‘Which foodstuffs are the healthiest?’ ‘Frult and vegetables, for the most part,’ * ‘We have a large selection of cheeses. Which one would you like?’ ‘Yd like some of that blue cheese,’ “Which French cities do we pass through?’ ‘I'm not sure, but | know we go through Pars.’ * ‘Which Baltic country do they come from?’ ‘I think they come from Poland.” ee crees ae Note that, when which is a determiner and part of the object of a preposition, the preposition is usually put at the end of the sentence or clause, as in the last two example sentences above. Formerly, it was considered ungrammatical to end a sentence with a preposition, as you do here, but it is now accepted that doing so sounds more natural. Note that when the choice available is unrestricted, what is often used: © ‘What injuries did the victim sustain?’ ‘He has a broken arm and a broken leg.’ * ‘What motive could he have had for murder?’ ‘The victim was his aunt and he was her sole heir.’ 18 Howto ask questions?