ask "Can you swim?"

about the dog.
for a coffee.
ask (not) to
asks a question / a favour
A asked
"Can you swim?"
about the cat.
B for a cookie.
(not) to
a question / a favour
1 Can I have a cookie? 

5 Can I have a pencil?
9 Can I go home?

A B A B A
How’s the weather?
2 Sit down please.
6 10
A small coffee, please.

A B A B A

3 What’s your name?

7 What time is it?
11 Please don’t sing.

A B A B A B

4 How’s your cat?

8 Can you be quiet?
12 How’s your mother?

A B A B A B
1 Where are you from? 

5 Do you have brothers or sisters? 9 Please give me some money.

A B A B
B A
Stand up.
2 Can you sing?
6 10 May I turn off the TV now?

A BB A B A

3 Do you like pizza?

7 Can you close your books?
11 Are you French?

A B
B A B A

4 How’s school? 8 Don't go to sleep please. 12 What’s Japan like?

A B A B A
Instructions:
This worksheet helps students practice common structures with the verb “ask”. Please note, it does not practice
reported speech (e.g. John asked what time the bus left / Lucy asked if I liked chocolate).

The graphics shows “ask” with and without a direct object (usually a person) - shown as B on the graphic.
“Ask” can take an indirect object (usually a person) or not - e.g. John asked Claire for a cookie / John asked for a
cookie.

The second page helps students choose the correct structure for each situation.
There may be more than one correct answer. Students can substitute A and B for peoples names.

If the speakers wants something (can I have a cookie) you can use for: John asks for a cookie.
If the speaker wants the other person to do something (sit down please) you can use to: John asks Lucy to sit down.
If the speech includes a “how” question (how’s your cat) you can use about: John asks Lucy about her cat.
In other cases, you can just use a direct quote: John asks Lucy “what time is it?”
If there is only a speaker (no listener), do not include an indirect object: John asked for a small coffee.

***Be careful with to. If there is no indirect object, it is the speaker’s action: John asked to sit down. If there is an
indirect object, it is that object (person)’s action: John asked Lucy to sit down.

A direct object is also possible: John asked a question / a favour. Other direct objects are possible, for example: John
asked the time / Lucy asked John his name, but beyond the scope of this worksheet.