Introduction

Some of the following materials are designed specifically for persons whose native language is Chinese.

Lesson 3

Overview

How to ask and answer basic English questions 

One of the most important tasks in speaking any language is asking questions. This will help you learn how to ask and answer questions so you can begin having conversations in English.

Yes and No Questions vs. Information Questions

There are two main types of questions in English:

• questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, and

• questions that require a more detailed response.

Section 1

Yes and No Questions

Question

Yes, I am.

Now listen to the question and answer without interruption.

Did you have fun at the party?

Now listen to the question and answer without interruption.

Will you come to class tomorrow?

Now listen to the question and answer without interruption.

Section 2

Information Questions

Information questions are asked with the question words what, where, when, how, why, and which. These questions require longer answers to provide the specific information requested. Notice that each of these questions are answered with the positive or negative form of the helping verb. 

Question

Where are you from?

Now listen to the question and answer without interruption.

What did you do on Saturday evening?

Now listen to the question and answer without interruption.

Why was the class difficult?

Now listen to the question and answer without interruption.

Section 3

Questions With Greetings: Saying Hello.

Start the conversation with a greeting.

It's common to use different greetings depending on whether you greet a friend, family or a business associate. Use informal greetings when you meet friends. Use formal greetings with people you do not know very well.

Examples include:

• How are you? (formal)

• It’s very nice to see you. (formal)

• How's it going? (informal)

• What's going on? (informal)

• How’s life? (informal)

Practice Dialogue.

Here's a short dialogue giving an example of saying “Hello.” You can use these questions to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information.

Mary: What's up?

Jane: Nothing much. How are you?

Mary: I'm fine.

Now listen to the dialogue between Mary and Jane without interruption.

Quiz #1

Section 4

Using Questions to Exchange Personal Information

Here are some of the most common questions used when asking for personal information:

• What’s your name?

• Where are you from?

• What’s your family name?

• What’s your first name?

• Where do you live?

• What’s your address?

• What’s your telephone number?

• What’s your email address?

• How old are you?

• When and where were you born?

• Are you married?

• What do you do? What’s your job?

Practice Dialogue:

Here's a short dialogue giving an example of personal questions. You can use these questions to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information.

A: Can I ask you a few personal questions?

B: Certainly. 

A: What's your name?

B: Peter Baker.

A: What's your address?

Peter: I live at 45 NW 75th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.

A: What's your cell phone number?

Peter: My number is (409)498-2091.

A: And your email address?

Peter: Let me spell it for you. It's P-E-T-A-S-I at A-O-L.com

A: When is your birthday?

Peter: I was born on July 5, 1987.

A: Are you married?

Peter: No, I’m not.

A: What's your profession? What do you do for work?

Peter: I'm an electrician.

Now listen to the whole dialogue without breaks.

Quiz #2

Section 5

General Questions

General questions are questions we ask to help us start a conversation or keep the conversation going. Here are some common general questions:

• Where did you go?

• What did you do? What did you do next?

• Where were you?

• Do you have a car, a house, children?

Can you play tennis, golf, football or baseball?

• Can you speak another language?

Practice Dialogue

Here's a short dialogue giving an example of general questions. You can use these questions to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information.

A: Where did you go last night?

B: We went to a bar and then out on the town.

A: What did you do?

B: We visited a few clubs and danced.

A: Can you dance well?

B: Ha, ha. Yes, I can dance!

A: Did you meet anyone?

B: Yes, I met an interesting Chinese lady.

A: Can you speak Chinese?

B: No, but she can speak English!

Now listen to the dialogue without interruption.

Section 6

Shopping

Here are some common questions that will help you when you go shopping. 

• Can I try it on?

• How much does it cost? How much is it?

• Can I pay by credit card?

• Do you have something smaller? Do you have something lighter?

Practice Dialogue.

Here's a short dialogue giving an example of shopping questions. You can use these questions to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information.

A: How can I help you? May I help you?

B: Yes. I'm looking for a sweater like this one, but in a smaller size.

A: Here you go.

B: May I try it on?

A: Sure, the changing rooms are over there.

B: How much does it cost?

A: It's $45.

A: How would you like to pay?

B: Can I pay by credit card?

A: Certainly. We accept all major cards.

Now listen to the entire dialogue without breaks.

Section 7

Using "Like" to Ask Questions

Questions with "like" are very common, but they can be a little confusing. Here is an explanation of each type of question with "like."

Question

Practice Dialogue

Here's a short dialogue giving an example of questions using “like.” You can use these questions to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information.

A: What do you like doing in your spare time?

B: I like hanging out downtown with my friends.

A: What does your friend Tom look like?

B: He's tall with a beard and blue eyes.

A: What is he like?

B: He's very friendly and really intelligent. 

A: What would you like to do now?

B: Let's go hang out with Tom!

Section 8

Learning Assessment

Work with a classmate to write a short dialogue using basic English questions including:

• Yes and No questions

• Information questions

• Questions with greetings

• Questions that exchange personal information

• General questions

• Questions using “like”

Practice by each of you taking a role and reading the questions and answers out loud. Then switch roles and practice reading the other person’s role.

Practice by reading your question and answer dialogue out loud as many times as possible.

You and your classmate may be asked to conduct your role play during the class.

This series of questions may help you to start to write your dialogue. You do not have to use these questions. You can use whatever questions you want.

B: I am…

A: Can I ask your name?

B: My name is…

A: Where are you from?

B: I am from…

A: Do you play table tennis?

B: I…

A: What do you like to do in your spare time?

B: I like to…

This is the end of Lesson 3.