6. Grammar Focus Asking Questions.

A.

Grammar Summary Statement Question Sentences with one auxiliary Auxiliary Subject Verb It was raining. Was it raining? He’s seen the doctor. Has he seen the doctor? You can read my writing. Can you read my writing? Sentences with more than one auxiliary – use the first She’s been waiting a long time. Has she been waiting a long time? They’re going to buy a new car. Are they going to buy a new car? Sentences with no auxiliary – present simple and past simple – use (do) The bus stops in Salisbury Road. Does the bus stop in Salisbury Road? She caught the plane Did she catch the plane? Grammar Comment The basic rule for asking most questions in English is very simple: Change the order of the first auxiliary. If there is no auxiliary, use part of the verb (do). Example: He can come. – Can he come? He could have come. – Could he have come? He came yesterday. – Did he come yesterday? The second part of the rule is the most important and powerful rule of English grammar. The verb (do) = do/don’t, does/doesn’t, did/didn’t. This verb brings regularity to the basic structures of English. Most of the basic structures of English – questions, negatives, tags etc. – depend on the first auxiliary. Where there is no auxiliary, the auxiliary (do) is used in the same way. Some people have seen (do) as an exception. It is more helpful to see it as the auxiliary which makes English so regular.

A. Here are 8 questions to ask a new friend. The words are mixed up. Write out the questions.

1. we before met have

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2. live you do here near

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3. to do English you speak like

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4. interested you in sport are

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5. ever you abroad have been

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6. you tennis play can

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7. single you or are married

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8. me would cinema to to go the with like you

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Most question word questions are made in this way:

Question word Auxiliary Subject Verb

How many did you buy?

How often have you been there?

How can I get in touch with you?

Which did you choose?

Who could we ask to help?

Why would you like to go?

Which floor do you live on?

Whose car were you driving yesterday?

B. Link up these words in pairs:

1
2
3
4
5
6

1. why a. carefully

2. when b. tomorrow

3. who c. me

4. where d. nothing

5. what e. outside

6. how f. because

C. What were the questions?

1. What ________________________? We went to the cinema.

2. How ________________________? We all went in Steve’s car.

3. Did _________________________? Yes, too fast! We were very frightened!

4. Why ________________________? We were late.

5. What ________________________? That new horror film.

6. Did __________________________? No we didn’t, we stayed in the café till late.

D. Ask questions on the text ‘The Underground’ to get the following answers:

1. 11 lines covering most of London

2. About 5.30 a.m.

3. Between 12.30 a.m .and 1 a.m.

4. Between 08.00 and 09.30 and 17.00 to 18.30

5. From a machine or ticket office at any Underground station

6. On the number of zones you travel through