Tag Questions

We use tag questions mainly to make sure that the information we have is correct or to seek agreement. Question tags can be said with a rising intonation when we are not sure and expect an answer, or a falling intonation when we are sure and don’t really expect an answer.

EXERCISE 11. English Grammar in Use R.Murphy PP.104-105 Ex. 52.1-52.3

EXERCISE 12. FCE Use of English V. Evans P.187-188 Ex.240, 242

EXERCISE 13. Add question tags to the following sentences. Translate a few of them into Russian.

1. There are many stars in the sky. 2. He is a star in showbiz. 3. Some­thing is wrong. 4. She is never happy. 5. It's fine weather today. 6. It isn't my day today. 7. There is a fax for her. 8. There aren't any mes­sages for us. 9. Money is important. 10. Mice aren't nice. 11. There is a lot of snow in the streets. 12. These are not your papers. 13. It's late. 14. These are good examples. 15. These are not correct data. 16. She isn't old. 17. He isn't young. 18. I am on duty today. 19. They are not friends.

(The ABC of English Grammar A.A. Ionina, A.S. Saakyan PP.36-37)

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY 2.

Work in pairs. Act out a dialogue inserting tag questions where the speakers are expecting agreement or sympathy. How is the new version different from the original?

Dialogues for adding tags

Dialogue 1

a: Nice day.

в: It'll rain tomorrow.

a: Why should it?

в: It's the picnic tomorrow. Always rains for the picnic.

a: You are in a lousy mood today.

Dialogue 2

a: I think I'll try this one.

в: Oh, yes, a lovely colour. Just matches your eyes.

a: How much is it?

в: Twenty pounds. It's much cheaper than the red one.

a: But the red one will wash better.

Dialogue 3

a: I really don't know what to do...

в: Well, that's why you're here. You can't keep it to yourself forever.

a: I've been such a fool.

в: No you haven't. We all make mistakes sometimes.

a: It helps, talking to someone about it.

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY 3.

Make a list of true and false statements about you or a person your partner and you both know. Give this list to your partner. Let him guess (using tag questions) which statements are true and which are false. How well does your partner know you?

*Negative Questions

These are yes/no questions with the negative form of the verb. The speaker often expects a “yes answer”.

EXERCISE 14. FCE Use of English V. Evans P.187 Ex.239

Answering Techniques 3

We sometimes use questions in answers to show our emotional reaction, for example surprise, disbelief or disapproval.

EXERCISE 15. FCE Use of English V. Evans P.188 Ex.241

EXERCISE 16. English Grammar in Use R.Murphy PP.102 – 103 Ex.51.2

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY 4. “Boast about yourself”. Say some amazing things. Your partners will show their surprise.

UNIT 3. Warmers

Warmers

Answering Techniques 3