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E. Indirect Question s
Indirect questions begin with phrases such as Can/Could you tell me... ? Do you know... ? Can you remember... ?
Can/Could you explain... ? Have you any idea ... ? etc . They are used mostly when we ask for information.
Formation Examples
• introductory phrase + question word + subject + verb Where is the National Galleryr r-o­
when the direct question begins with a question word Could you tell me where the National Gallery is ?
• introductory phrase + if/whether + subject + verb Was thejlight delayedi i--e­
when the direct question does not include a question word Do you know if the jlight was delayed?

The auxiliaries do, does and did are never used in indirect questions.

Does he play golf regularly? - . Do yo u know if he plays golf regularly?

Grammar Practice
A Write questions. The answers are the words in bold type.
1. Which jumper suits me bette r, the red or the blue one?

The red jumper suits you better than the blue one.

2. Did the basketball player sign the contract?

I'm afraid not. The basketball player didn't sign the contract.

3. What does the price include?

The price includes two meals at the hotel restaurant, so it's convenient.

4. How did she feel when she fell?

She felt embarrassed when she fell , as most of her guests were around.

5. Does the library open at 9:00 a.m. every weekday?

Yes, the library opens at 9:00 a.m. every weekday.

6. Where will Professor Burns give his lecture?

Professor Bums will give his lecture at the Palace Hotel.

7. Why are you buying a computer?

I'm buying a computer because I need it for my job.

8. Who persuaded Jane to give up smoking?

Paula persuaded Jane to give up smoking. Isn't it great?

9. What is your new house like?

My new house is big and has a garden at the front.

10. Can I go to the beach with my friends?

I suppose you can go to the beach with your friends.

B Use the \Yords in brackets to make negative questions.

1. "Last year the children organised a bazaar to raise money for the hospital.
Wasn't it a great idea ? (it/be/a great idea)" " Yes, I think they should do it again."
2. "I bought a new jacket today but the sleeve is tom!"
Shouldn 't you take it back ? (you/should/take/itlback)" "Yes , I will. I'll ask for another one."
3." Isn't the Town Hall just around the corner ? (the Town Hall/be/just around the corner)" "Yes, that's right."
4. "You've ruined my jumper by spilling coffee on it and last week you spilt bleach on my jeans.
Can't you do anything right ? (you/can/do/anything right)"
5. "You haven't bought any bread. " Didn't you go to the baker's ? (you/go/to the baker's)"
"No, I went to the supermarket but completely forgot to get some bread."
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C Complete using question tags.

Tanya: ... and the animal rights group I'm in is holding a demonstration outside one of the research laboratories .
Brett: Do you think that's really necessary ? I mean, there's a need for these experiments, is n't there ?

Let's consider the advantages of these experiments, shall we ? Scientists must test new medical
treatment somehow, mustn't they ? With these tests they can see how effective and safe the treatments
are . Everyone wants new vaccines and safer drugs, don 't they ?
Tanya: I see your point, but scientists don't really care about the animals, do they ? Are you aware that
thousands of animals die every year as a result of these experiments? Scientists should find another way of
testing their discoveries, shou ldn't they ?

DMake Indirect Questions using the phrases, Can/Could you tell me.••?, Can/Could you explain..•?, Do
you know.•.?, Have you any idea.•.?, Can you remember••.?
1. How do you operate this video? _._.._h_o_w--'y'-o- _u_o--'p_e_r_
a t_e_t_h_is_
v_id_e _
o?_ _
2. Who directed this film?
-...-
who dire cted this film?
---------------------
3. Has the Moore family moved to their new house ? if the Moore fam ily has moved to their new house?
4. When is their wedding anniversary ? when their wedding anniversary is ?
5. Did.we invite John to our party? if we invited John to our party?
6. Was the trip postponed? _.._.if_t_h_
e_t_ri. p_w_a_
:. . s----'po_s_t.
--­ .:p_. . o_ne_d_?_
. _
7. Whose is the luggage in the living room? whose the luggage in the living room is?
8. Where should I get my eyes tested? where I should get my eyes tested?
9. What time did you set your alarm clock for? what time you set your alarm clock for?
10. Are you working this weekend? if you are working thi s weekend?

E Using the words given and other words, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar
meaning to the first sentence. Do not change the word given. (Use 2-5 words in total.)
1. What was the price of the ticket?
pay How much did you pay for the ticket?
2. Whose car is this?
belong Who does this ca r belong to?
3. The film was interesting, wasn't it?
boring The film wasn't boring , was it?
4. How did the fire start, sir ?
explain Could you explain how the fire started , sir?
5. Mr Wesley, what caused you to resign so suddenly?
why Mr Wesley, why did you resign so suddenly?
6. Can you tell me Tom's address, Kelly?
lives Can you tell me where Tom lives , Kelly?
7. What's the distance from the village to the beach?
it How far is it from the village to the beach?
8. Should I inform our clients about the change of plans?
whether I'd like to know whether I s hould inform our clients about the change of plans.