Some Skills in solving language function questions and responses in examinations

THANH HOA education and training Department
HOANG HOA 2 HIGH SCHOOL
=======*&*=======
experience initiative 
topic: “Some Skills in solving language function 
 questions and responses in examinations”.
	 Teacher : Lê Văn Quân
 Specialization: Foreign language
School year : 2016-2017
PART I: INTRODUCTION
I. Reason for the study 
Language function is an important part of exercise in national examinations, English test and examinations for gifted students (there are normally from 3 to 5 questions). At first, many students think that these questions are very easy to do. However, they are the questions making students confused and choose wrong answers.
Used language is to function particular communication such as asking for information, inviting, advising, thanking, and so on. For that reason, language function means spoken style and culture of native people. It is these aspects that make Vietnamese students difficult to choose the correct answers. 
Through my own practical teaching in the recent years, I notice that the textbooks of English 10, 11, 12 give language function and response part in PART B (Speaking) but not clear and systematically (except Part B–Unit 3–Basic English 12). In addition, English textbooks in the upper secondary education have very few exercises of this type designed in the form of the exam questions, so that there is little chance for the students to practise and get familiar with these exercise. 
A number of students at Mai Anh Tuan High School mistake the greeting “How do you do?”. Their answer to this question is “I do very well or I work very hard”. They don’t know how to reply this greeting. The response is “How do you do?” 
In practice, there are not a lot of useful references for teachers about this kind of exercise and so some teachers sometimes wonder the key never mind and you’re welcome in this sentence: “Thanks for your help.”
From the rationales mentioned above, I have decided to write my own experience initiative on the topic “Some Skills in solving language function questions and responses in examinations”.
II. Aim of the study
	With this experience initiative, I wish to help my students understand more about the language function and responses of native people. Besides, I would like to provide the students some knowledge to solve questions of the language function and responses in a detailed and logical system that is easy for them to learn, to use and to apply in practice rapidly and productively. Furthermore, through this experience initiative, I hope to contribute some ideas on issues related to the responses of language function to the teaching experience sources for my colleagues to use as a reference in their teaching English.
III. Objective and Scope of the study
	In this experience initiative, I give basic word phrases and sentences which the native people often use to reply in daily communication, giving a variety of exercise systems to help students understand the culture of native speakers more deeply. 
	The topic was studied in the English programme at high school level (The basic English textbooks 10, 11, 12) and in tests, exam preparation tests, entrance exams into university or college designed by the Ministry of Education and Training, English exams for gifted students in Thanh Hoa and other provinces. It is applied to grade-12 students at Mai Anh Tuan High School in the school-year 2016-2017 to prepare for the national high – school examination.
IV. Bases of the study:
	The experience inititative has been studied based on my own practical teaching experiences, referring to documents related to the research topic, observing other teachers’lessons, and consulting my colleagues.
PART II: PROBLEM SOLVING
	The important point to solve this kind of exercise is you have to understand the function of communication and spoken style. Thus, if you know how to reply to different language function, you can do this kind of exercise easily.
	Below are some English language functions and responses and some exercises are given to apply.
A. ASKING FOR INFORMATION 
1. Yes/ No questions
a. The answer is often (not always) yes, or no, and repeat auxiliary as follows:
Example: 	A: Do you like classical music?
	B: Yes, I do.	 (Yes, I like.) / No, I don’t	(No, I don’t like.)
b. Sometimes the answer is only “Yes” or “No” and can repeat auxiliary or not.
Example:	A: Did you get the tickets?
	B: Yes, two days ago. / No, I didn’t. There wasn’t time, I’m afraid. Sorry.
c. Sometimes the answer doesn’t start with “Yes” or “No”.
Example:	A: Are you an employee here?
	B: Actually, I’m the owner.
	A: Is your company opening a branch office?
	B: We plan to open one next year.
d. Be careful with negative question.
	With negative question, if you agree, your answer is “No”, and if you disagree, your answer is “Yes”.
Example:	A: Haven’t you repaired the car yet?
	B: Yes, I did it yesterday.	/	No, I’m sorry. I haven’t had time.
e. Yes / No question can be used in tag question.
Example:	A: He usually gets up late, doesn’t he?
	B: Yes, he does.	/	No, he doesn’t.
f. Sometimes Yes/ No question has specially communicative function.
Example:	A: Would you like to come to a party? (Inviting)
	B: Yes, I’d love to.	
	A: Can I carry something for you? (Offering)
	B: No, it’s OK, thanks.
Exercises:
1. Harry: “Are you ready, Kate? There’s not much time left.” 
 Kate: “Yes, just a minute. ______!” 
A. I won’t finish 	B. I’m coming 	C. I’d be OK 	D. No longer
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2011)
2. Ann: “Do you need any help?” 
 Kate: “______.” 
A. That’s fine by me 	B. That’s all for now 
C. I haven’t got a clue 	D. No, thanks. I can manage
(UE Examination - A1 by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2012)
3. – “Do you like frog’s legs?”
 - “..them, I don’t really know.”
	A. Never try	B. Not to have try
	C. Never having tried	D. Never had tried
(Examination for gifted students in Thanh Hoa province, 2010 – 2011)
4. Tom: “Wasn't it Mozart who composed Swan Lake?” Jane: “__________.” 
A. Yes, he wasn't	 	B. It's out of question 
C. I haven't a clue 	D. It's not my favourite
(Examination for gifted students in Thanh Hoa province, 2014 – 2015)
5. – “Is it far to the international airport from here?”
	- “.”
	A. Yeah, it’s pretty far.	B. By taxi C. None at all	 D. Sure, no problem
Key: 1. B	2. B	3. C	4. C	5. A
2. Choice questions
a. The answer is one of the two options.
Example: 	A: Are they coming tonight or tomorrow?
	B: Tonight.	/	They are coming tonight.
b. Don’t use “Yes” or “No”.
Example:	A: Are you Chinese or Japanese?
	B: I’m Chinese	Yes, I’m Chinese.	No, I’m Japanese.
c. Question with “or” may be an offer.
Example:	A: Potatoes or rice?	
B: Potatoes, please. / I’ll have potatoes. / I’d like rice. / I’d prefer rice. / Yes, please. / Potatoes are fine. / I don’t mind.	/ Whichever.	/Neither.
3. I think so./ I’m afraid not.
a. Use “so” after think, be afraid, believe, expect guess, hope, and suppose.
Example:	A: Is Peter coming to the party?
	B: I think/ believe/ hope/ expect/ guess so.	/ I’m afraid so.
b. With negative answer, we only use “so”.
Example:	A: Do you think he will get the job?
	B: I don’t think/ believe/ expect suppose so.	
I’m not afraid so.	I don’t guess so.
c. With negative answer, we use “not” only with hope, guess, suppose, believe and be afraid.
Example:	A: Is Mary coming too?
	B: I hope/ guess/ suppose/ believe not.	/	I’m afraid not.
	I think not.	I expect not.
Exercises:
1. John: “Will you be able to come to the meeting?” 
 Jack: “______.” 
A. I’m afraid not 	B. I’m sorry not 
C. You must be kidding 	D. Of course you will
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2010)
2. – “Are my photos ready, please?”	
- “. We’re having problems with the machine.”
A. I’m afraid not	B. I’m afraid so	C. I hope so	D. I’m sure so
3. – “Do you think it’s going to rain?” - “. I’m just about to go out.”
	A. Well, I know not	B. Well, I’m sure not	
	C. Well, I hope not	D. Well, I expect not
Key: 1. A	2. A	3. C
4. What questions
a. What is used as Subject and Object.
Example:	A: What made you angry?
	B: His rudeness
	A: What would you like to do? We could go and see a film or go swimming.
	B: Whatever
b. Whatfor: indicating purpose
Example:	A: What did you buy this computer magazine for?
	B: To read about business software.
	A: What are these bricks for?
	B: We’re going to build a wall.
c. What + be + like:
Example:	A: What was the party like?
	B: Oh, we had a great time.
	A: What’s the place like where you live?
	B: It’s pretty quiet.
d. What + look + .. like:
Example:	A: What does your friend look like?
	B: She’s very tall and blond. / B: He’s short with brown eyes and curly hair.
e. What is used to ask about job.
Example:	A: What do you do?/ 	What’s your job?
	B: I’m a doctor.
f. What combines with other nouns to ask time, colour.
Example:	A: What time is it?	B: It’s five o’clock.
	A: What colour is your house?	B: (It’s) Pink./ Blue/ Yellow/ Green..
	A: What kind of soup is that?	B: (It’s) bean soup.
Exercises:
1. Kim: "What ______ this weekend?" 
 Sally: "Oh, we're going windsurfing. It's fantastic!" 
A. are you doing 	B. do you go 	C. would you do 	 D. are you going
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2009)
Key: A
2. Ellen: "______?" 
 Tom: "He's tall and thin with blue eyes." 
A. What does John look like 	B. Who does John look like 
C. How is John doing 	D. What does John like
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2009)
Key: A
3. Phil: “I'd like to become a tour guide. What do you think I should do?” 
 Leonie: “______” 
A. I think you should practise spoken English. 
B. Yes, a tour guide is a good job! 
C. Shall we have a package tour this summer? 
D. I don't agree with you.
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2011)
Key: A
5. Who(m) / Whose questions
a. Who is often subject asked about a person, people.
Example:	A: Who came to see you?
	B: Jane and Eric.
b. Negative question.
Example:	A: Who didn’t do the homework?
	B: I didn’t.	/	John didn’t.	/	It was Mary.
c. Who(m) is often object asked about a person, people. The answer is often a noun, noun phrase relating person.
Example:	A: Who(m) did you see?
	B: (I saw) George.
d. Whose + noun
Example:	A: Whose book did you borrow?
	B: Mary’s./ Tom’s./ Jane’s.
	A: Whose book is this?
	B: My friend’s./ My cousin’s. / (It’s) Mine. / His./ Hers./ Theirs./ Ours./ Yours.
Exercises:
1. - “Whose briefcase is this? - “”
 	A. It’s my boss	 	B. It’s my boss’s	
C. They’re probably lost. 	D. His luggage is full.
2. – “Who left the lights on?” - “”
	A. I’m sure it’s dark outside	B. We always leave them on
	C. John turned them off	D. Yes, I know.
3. Tome: Whose bicycle is that?	Mary: 
	A. No, it’s over there	B. It’s just outside	 C. It’s Jane’s 	 D. It’s Jance
Key: 	1. B	2. B	3.C
6. Which questions
a. Which + noun is used instead of “What + noun”.
Example:	A: Which size do you want – small, medium, or large?
	B: Medium, please.
	A: Which of these coats (What of these coats) is yours?
	B: The brown one.
	A: You can have a photo. Which one would you like?	B: This one, please.
b. When there are a lot of or few answers, we can use What or Which to ask.
Example:	A: Which/ What countries did you visit? / B: France and Scotland.
Exercises:	
1. – “Which movie would you like to watch?” - “”
	A. It begins at 2 p.m.	B. The new one with Sean connery.
	C. I think it costs about $7.00	D. The film is rather long
2. – “ Do you remember which gate weleave from?” - “”
	A. He told me about it before he left
	B. We shouldn’t leave the gate open
	C. I think it’s gate five
	D. We’d like gate five
3. – “Which class do you have on Tuesday morning?” - “..”
	A. French	B. I don’t like to wake up early	
C. We can go together	D. It’s made in France
Key: 1. B 	2. C	3. A
7. How questions
a. Aking about process, manner, the answer often contains preposition “by” or an adverb.
Example:	A: How do you go to school every day?
	B: By bike/ car/ bus.
A: How does he drive?	B: carefully./ Carelessly/ Slowly./ Really fast.
A: How did you know about his death?	B: Your sister told me.
b. Asking about situation, quality of something, the response often contain adjectives such as not too bad, good, fine, excellent, terrible
	A: How’s the soup?	B: Great! / Awful!
	A: How was the film?	B: Very good. / Fantastic. / Boring.
	A: How’s Ron?	B: He’s fine/ very well.
	A: How does she look today?	B: Tired.
c. How + adj / adv to ask about level or quantity.
Example:	A: How much money do you have?	B: One hundred dollars.
	A: How many people came?	B: Twenty.
	A: How old are you?	B: I’m fifteen years old.
	A: How far is it from here to the train station?	B: About three kilometers.
	A: How soon can you get there?	B: In ten minutes.
	A: How fast were you driving?	B: 50 miles an hour.
	A: How long have you been here?	B: Three years.
	A: How often do you go to the cinema?	B: Once a month./Every Sunday./ 	 Twice a week
Exercises:
1. A: “______ do you go to the movies?” 	B: “Once a month.” 
	A. How far	B. What time	C. How often	D. How much time
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2005)
2. Tom: “How did you get here?” 
 John: “______” 
A. Is it far from here? 	B. I came here by train. 
C. I came here last night. 	D. The train is so crowded.
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2008)
3. Kevin: "How far is it from here to the nearest post office?" 
 Lan: "______." 
A. Two kilometers at least 	B. Turn left and then turn right 
C. No, it's rather far 	D. Yes, it's quite near here 
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2009)
4. – “How do you like your steak done?” 
 – “ ______.” 
A. Very much 	B. Well done 	C. Very little 	D. I don’t like it much 
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2009)
	Key: 1. C	2. B	3. A	4. B
8. Why QUESTIONS
	Why usually asks about cause or reason.
a. The reply usually contaims because or due to.
Example:	A: Why did he fail the exam?	
B: Because he didn’t prepare well enough for it./ It was due to his carelessness.
b. However, the answer is sometimes reason.
	A: Why didn’t you come to the conference?	B: I was busy.
c. Question with Why don’t we..? / Why don’t you? is, in fact, a suggesting, so the answer is the response of the suggesting.
	A: Why don’t we go to the cinema tonight?
	B: That sounds great! / Ok. What time? / Sounds good. Where shall we meet?
9. Where questions
Example:	A: Where did you go last night?	B: I went to my friend’s house.
	A: Where’s Tom?	B: (He’s) Downstairs.
	A: Where’s do we go from here?	B: Turn left and go straight.
Exercises:
1. A: “Where is Loan?” 	B: “She___________.” 
	A. is in her room studying	B. in her room is studying	
C. studies in her room	D. has in herroom studied
(High – Shool graduation Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2007)
2. Helen: "Where do you come from?" 
 Ann: "______." 
A. In London 	B. Yes, I have just come here 
C. I’m living in London 	D. I come from London
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2008)
3. Linda: "Excuse me! Where’s the post office?" 
 Maria: "______." 
A. It’s over there B. I'm afraid not C. Don’t worry D. Yes, I think so
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2008)
	Key: 1. C	2. D	3. A
10. When questions
Example:	A: When did you go there?	B: Yesterday
	A: When will the war be over?	B: Very soon.
* Note: With asking for information, the reply can be:
a. Repeat the question before answering.
	A: Where are you going?	B: Where am I going? Home.
	A: What does he want?	B: What does he want? Money, as usual.
	A: Are you tired?	B: Am I tired? Of course, not.
	A: Do squirrels eat insects?	B: Do squirrels eat insects? I’m not sure.
b. Use How should I know?
	A: What time does the film start?	B: How should I know? (Làm sao tôi biết được)
Exercises:
1. Tom : “ When are we leaving for the concert?” 
 Kyle : “______.” 
A. Straight away 	B. That’s right 	C. Certainly D. 	No problem 
(UE Examination -D1- by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2012)
	Key: A (straight away = at once: immediately; without delay)
2. – “When is the next train?”	- “.”
	A. 5 o’clock	 	B. Over there
C. It’s going to Chicago	D. It takes about five hours.
3. – “When will they finish the project?” 	- “..”
	A. Next week if they stay on schedule	B. We need a new project
	C. It was an expensive project	D. I guess not
	Key: 2. A	3. A
B. REQUESTING
Example:	A: Can/ Could you open the window, please?
	A: Will/ Would you wait here, please?
	A: Don you think you could call me tonight?
	A: Could you possibly meet me after school?
	A: Would it be possible for you to help me move this weekend?
1. Agreement
	B: Sure. / Of course. / I’d be glad/ happy to. / No problem (used to show that you are happy to help sb or that sth will be easy to do.) / 
Note: The response with agreement starting Would you mind/ Do you mind + V-ing is always negative as follows:
	A: Would you mind opening the window?
	B: Not at all. / No, of course not.
2. Disagreement
	A: Could you type this letter for me?
	B: I’m afraid I can’t. / I’m sorry, but I’m really busy. / I wish I could, but. / Actually, it’s a bit inconvenient.
Excercises:
1. Susan: “Can you do the cooking today?” 
 Bill: “______.” 
A. I know that 	B. No, thank you 	C. Oh, all right 	D. Yes, please
(HSG Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2011)
2. Margaret: "Could you open the window, please?" 
 Henry: " ______." 
A. I feel sorry 	B. Yes, I can C. I am , of course D. Yes, with pleasure
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2010)
3. Sue: “Can you help me with my essay?” 
 Robert: “______” 
A. Not completely. B. Yes, I’m afraid not. C. Why not? D. I think that, too.
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2011)
4. Joan: “Our friends are coming. ______, Mike? ” 
 Mike : “I’m sorry, but I can’t do it now.” 
 A. Shall you make some coffee, please B. Would you mind making some coffee 
 C. Why don’t we cook some coffee D. Shall I make you like some coffee 
(University Entrance Examination by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2011)
5. Lora: “Do you mind if I turn on the fan? ” 
 Maria: “______.” 
Never mind 	B. Not at all 	C. Not enough 	D. Not for me 
(UE Examination -A1- by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2012)
6. Phuong Thao is a student in Ms Lan’s writing class. She is asking for Ms Lan’s comments on her last essay. Select the most suitable response to fill in the blank. 
 Phuong Thao: “You must have found reading my essay very tiring.” 
 Ms Lan: “______. I enjoyed it.” 
A. Not in the least B. Just in case C. At all costs D. You are welcome
(UE Examination -D1- by Ministry of Education and Training, in 2014)
Key: 1. C	2. D	3. C	4. B	5. B	6. B (not in the least = not at all)
C. ASKING FOR PERMISSION
1. Agreement/ Permission
Asking
Agreeing/ Permitting
Okay if I leave now?
Is it OK if I leave now?
Can/ Could I leave now?
Is it alright if I leave now?
Could I possibly leave now, please?
Sure.
Sure, go ahead.
Sure, go right ahead.
Of course.
Example:
	A: Can I/ Could I have a quick look at your paper?
	B: Yes, you can.	Yes, you could. / Yes, of course, you can.
	A: May I use your phone?
	B: Yes, of course, you may.
	A: Have you got a pen that I could use?
	B: Yes, here you are.
Note: 	the response of the following structure to agree is not or no as follows:
	A: Mind if I leave a bit early? / Do you mind if I leave a bit early?
With this structure, the reply telling agreement is always to have not, or no as