Question–response: choosing the right reply: learn

In this lesson you will

Recognise the question word at the start of a question and the kind of reply it needs
Avoid common traps such as repeated words and similar sounds
Choose natural indirect replies, such as “Let me check”

Before you start

Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.

→How many ways can you answer the question “Where's the meeting?” without saying a place?
→What do you say when someone asks you something and you don't know the answer?

Catch the first words

In this task you hear one short question or comment, then choose the best reply. The question is said only once, so the most important thing is to catch the first one to three words. They tell you what kind of reply is needed.

Question types and good replies
You hear …	A good reply gives …	Example reply
Where …?	a place	In the meeting room on the second floor.
When …? / What time …?	a time or a day	Not until Thursday.
Who …?	a person or a job	The new manager, I think.
Why …?	a reason	Because the printer's broken.
How long …? / How often …?	an amount of time or how many times	About twenty minutes.
Do you …? / Is it …?	yes, no, or information that means yes or no	I already have one, thanks.
… or …?	one of the choices, both, or neither	The earlier one, please.
Could you …? / Would you like …?	agreeing, refusing, accepting or saying no thanks	Sure, I'll do it now.

Three common traps

Repeated word. The reply repeats a word from the question, but doesn't answer it. “Did you book the hotel?” → “I'm reading a good book.” (wrong)
Similar sound. The reply has a word that sounds like a word in the question. “Is the copier working?” → “I'd like a coffee.” (wrong)
Wrong question type. The reply answers a different question. “When does the train leave?” → “From platform four.” (wrong: this answers where)

Also be careful with yes and no. They can't answer a Wh- question. “Where's the bank?” → “Yes, it is.” is always wrong.

Indirect replies are often correct

Real people don't always answer directly. They may say they don't know, tell you who to ask, or answer with another question. These replies are often the correct answer in the exam.

Indirect but correct

“Who's leading the training session?” → “It hasn't been decided yet.”
“When does the shop close?” → “Let me check the website.”
“Is this seat free?” → “My friend's just gone to get a coffee.” (= no, it's taken)
“Would you mind opening the window?” → “Not at all.” (= yes, I'll do it)

Audio

Model item 1

In the exam you usually hear it once.

Try the questions first.

How a strong listener does it

The first word is When, so the reply must give a time.

A gives a place. It answers where, so it is wrong.
B starts with yes, which can't answer a When question. It also repeats a sound from the question (printer, prints).
C gives a time: Friday morning. C is correct.

Audio

Model item 2

In the exam you usually hear it once.

Try the questions first.

An indirect answer

The question starts with Who, so we expect a person.

A gives a place and repeats the word meeting.
C talks about a past meeting and starts with yes.
B doesn't give a name, but it tells the man where to find the answer: Joe's email. It is a natural reply. B is correct.

Don't reject an answer just because it doesn't contain the information directly.

Audio

Practice audio: six questions

In the exam you usually hear it once.

Try the questions first.

Matching

What does the speaker want?

Listen to six questions. Match each question with what the speaker is doing. There is one extra option you do not need.

Amaking a suggestion
Basking for a place
Casking for a reason
Dmaking an offer
Easking for a time
Fasking you to choose
Gasking about a person

1.Question 1
2.Question 2
3.Question 3
4.Question 4
5.Question 5
6.Question 6

Dictation

Catch the whole question

Listen and type each question exactly. Pay special attention to the first few words.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Save words to review them later with flashcards.

timetable
a list of times when buses, trains or classes happen (schedule in US English)
“Check the timetable for the last train home.”
in charge of
responsible for something or someone
“Anna is in charge of ordering office supplies.”
office supplies
things used in an office, like paper, pens and printer ink
“We're running out of office supplies.”
Would you mind …?
a polite way to ask for something; “No, not at all” means yes
“Would you mind closing the door? – Not at all.”
borrow
to take and use something that belongs to someone else, and give it back later
“Can I borrow your notes from Monday?”
aisle
the passage between rows of seats on a plane, train or in a theatre
“I prefer an aisle seat on long flights.”
shuttle bus
a bus that goes regularly between two places
“The shuttle bus runs every twenty minutes.”
suggestion
an idea or plan that you offer for someone to think about
““Why don't we study together?” is a suggestion.”
offer
to ask if someone would like something or would like you to do something
“She offered to carry my bags.”
repair
to fix something that is broken
“They're coming to repair the air conditioning tomorrow.”

Key points

The first words (Where, When, Who, Why, Do, Could …) tell you what kind of reply you need.
Replies that repeat words or use similar-sounding words are usually traps.
Yes and no can't answer Wh- questions or choice questions.
The best reply is often indirect: “Let me check”, “Ask Joe”, “It hasn't been decided yet”.

Check your answers in the practice exercises to record a score.

Up next · Listening B1 Foundation

Booking calls: form completion

Go to lesson

Warm-up

In this lesson you will

Before you start

Catch the first words

Three common traps

Indirect replies are often correct

How a strong listener does it

An indirect answer

TOEIC-style question–response

TOEFL-style: daily life and campus

What does the speaker want?

Catch the whole question

Key points

Warm-up

In this lesson you will

Before you start

Catch the first words

Three common traps

Indirect replies are often correct

How a strong listener does it

An indirect answer

TOEIC-style question–response

TOEFL-style: daily life and campus

What does the speaker want?

Catch the whole question

Key points