CONCEPT QUESTIONS

A concept questions is a question designed to highlight the essence of meaning, the answers providing an explanation of the concept. For example: For ``used to...`` Question 1. Does he............now? 2. Did he ..............before? 3. Once or often? (with dynamic verbs e. g. do, play, read) Expected answer No Yes Often

with state verbs e. g. live, own, have, question 3 changes: 3. For a short time or a long time? For a long time Beware of SILLY questions, e. g. pointing to a pen and asking ``Is it an elephant?`` Other examples: Managed to... 1. Did I..............? 2. Was it easy or difficult? Looking forward to....... 1. Am I going to....... 2. Do I want to.......... 3. Am I excited a bout it? Yes Yes Yes Yes Difficult

The basic principles are IMPORTANT: Questions must NOT include the structure/word you are checking. Questions must be simpler than the item you are checking (otherwise you will need concept questions for your concept questions!!) Questions must require simple answers. Don't get involved with the situation: it's the structure or vocabulary you are checking. Notice in the examples above there is no reference to the situation (the dots signify the situation)

When to ask concept questions: While you are leading students to meaning. Immediately after your model sentence (i. e. before students say it) Where necessary throughout the lesson (e. g. for correction)