Файл: Л.А. Бердюгина Asking questions.pdf

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4.2 Specific cases

Question tags can also be added to imperatives (повелительное наклонение) when you want people do things. In this case the tag is formed with will / would you? or can / could you?

Open the window, Turn off the light,

Help me with these things,

•Where let’s is used, the tag is formed with shall we? (when you want people do things together with you) or will you? (request).

Let’s have a break, shall we? Let’s forget about that, will you?

•With there + to be use there in question tags.

There won’t be any problems, will there? There’re some difficult questions, aren’t there?

• The question tag with I am is aren’t I? (BE), and am I not? (AE)

I’m right, aren’t I? I’m right, am I not?

• Where ought is used, the tag is formed with should we?

We ought to go at once, should we?

Intonation

There are two types of intonation in tag questions.

• Falling intonation on the tag means I’m sure I’m right – confirm this for me.

You’re Spanish, aren’t you?

You’ve passed the exam, haven’t you?

• Rising intonation on the tag means I think I’m right, but correct me if I’m wrong. It is more like a real question.

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She got married, didn’t she?

The train goes at ten doesn’t it?

5. OR QUESTIONS

Or questions indicate choice (выбор). They may be either Yes/No questions or Wh-questions. Or may be used in different parts of a question.

5.1 Basic forms

• Alternatives are adjacent (стоят рядом). Did you or he buy this book? Is it cold or warm outside?

Who of you Pete or Nick failed in mathematics?

• The second alternative is at the end of the question.

Do you watch TV at weekends or play tennis? Does she take cream in her coffee or milk? Did Mr. Mason buy the book or Mr. Brown?

• Two Yes/No questions may be connected with or.

Does she take cream in her coffee or does she take milk? Is he at home or is he at work?

Did they stay at a hotel or did they stay at their friends’ in London?

• Yes/No questions may be turned into Or questions by adding (добавлением) or not? Do you study economics or not?

Have you seen him or not?

• Wh-questions have both alternatives at the end.

When did you get up today, early or not?

What do you do at weekends, watch TV or play tennis? Who came to our university, American or British students?

Intonation

The first alternative is spoken on a rising intonation, but the second one is on a falling intonation.

Are you going to the cinema or to the theatre? Does Mr. Black teaches English or French?

• If the question is said as a single tone group, use the rising intonation. Would you like to use it or not?

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EXERCISES

1. YES/NO QUESTIONS

1.1 Basic form

I. Work in pairs or small groups. Read the song and try to reproduce it as dialogue.

Love Song

Does she love him? – Yes, she does. Is she happy? – Yes, she is.

Does he know it? – Yes, he does. Yes, he knows it. Will she kiss him? – Yes, she will.

Will she leave him? – Yes, she will, if she has to. Does he love her? – Yes, he does.

Is he happy? – Yes, he is.

Does she know it? – Yes, she does. Yes, she knows it. Will he kiss her? – Yes, he will.

Will he leave her? – Yes, he will, if he has to. Are they happy? – Yes, they are.

Are they lucky? – Yes, they are.

Do they know it? – Yes, they do. Yes, they know it. Will he find somebody now?

Will she find somebody too? Yes, they will.

Yes, they will, if they have to.

II.Ask questions which can be answered Yes or No.

1.We had dinner at the cafeteria.

2.They study here every day.

3.Jane drives carefully.

4.My mother makes breakfast every morning.

5.Our family has lunch at 1 o’clock.

6.The history of Sumo wrestling goes back over 2000 years.

7.Bill speaks English correctly.

8.The student knew the answer.

9.Students frequently work at night.

10.The child slept well last night.

11.The best coffee grows in Brazil.

12.The car costs $3,000.

*III. Ask questions with do, does, did or with am, is, are, was, were.

1.The classes begin at eight o’clock.

2.Mother is always telling her what to do.

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3.They had coffee and bread-and-butter for breakfast.

4.The lecture was very interesting.

5.She understands French a little.

6.The problems are easy.

7.Bill came from England.

8.He was in a hurry.

9.The group of tourists is arriving tonight.

10.I am wrong.

11.Lisa is good at maths.

12.The students were tired.

IV. Transform the following statements with auxiliary and modal verbs into questions.

1.The students are working in the laboratory

2.You should work hard.

3.Everyone has heard the news.

4.They will go to the library after the classes.

5.The report is being discussed at the meeting.

6.The students were waiting for their lecturer.

7.These engineers have travelled abroad on business.

8.The boy had studied French before he came here.

9.You must leave right now.

10.Mary has been writing her composition for six hours.

11.We may practise pronunciation in the language laboratory.

12.John can’t come by the 11 o’clock train.

13.I would like to stay at home.

V. Take it in turns to ask and answer the following questions.

1.Do you want to learn English?

2.Is English difficult for you?

3.Are you hungry?

4.Do you like to visit your friends?

5.Is the weather warm today?

6.Can you lend (занять) me some money?

7.Have you finished your homework?

8.Are your group-mates working in pairs now?

9.Was it difficult for you to enter the University?

10.Does your friend have difficulty with English?

11.Is English your native language?

12.Did you have an examination last week?

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13.Has she passed her exam yet?

14.Is he going to study tonight?

VI. Complete the Yes/No questions, as in the example.

1.She bought some tea. ______ any coffee?

2.They visited Milan. ______ Paris?

3.He’s got two cousins. ______ any sisters?

4.I speak English. ______ French?

5.The manager’s gone out. ______ to bank?

6.She works six hours a day. ______ on Saturday?

7.Ann can play the piano. ______ the guitar?

8.I’m going to the theatre. ______ on your own?

9.Mother is going on business the other day. ______ to Moscow?

VII. Work in pairs. Ask your partner if she/he:

VIII. Now let’s play a game. The idea of this game is to guess (догадаться) what object is hidden (спрятан) in a bag. You can ask Yes/No questions about its size, shape, weight, colour, etc.

Refresh your memory of the following words: shape, square, rectangular, oval, round; weight, weigh, heavy, light; thick, thin; long, short; plastic, metal, wood, glass, paper; to be made of.

Try to remember: rigid – жёсткий, flexible – гибкий, flat – плоский, fabric – ткань, cardboard – картон.

1.2 Negative questions

*I. Ask negative questions putting the words given in brackets in the correct order.

Example: I posted the letter to you over a week ago! (you/ have/ received it yet?)

Haven’t you received it yet?

1.Why aren’t you eating your dinner? … (you/ do/ like it?)

2.“Look! ... (that/ is/ your brother over there?)” “Oh, yes.”

3.“I really must go now.” “But it’s only five. … (you/ can/ stay a little longer?)”