INDIRECT QUESTIONS – YES/NO QUESTIONS
Yes, it does. It
is white and
sweet.
Yes, it is. It‘s
very healthy.
Does milk come from a cow?
Is an apple fruit?
Yes, he can.
He painted a
postrait
yesterday.
No, it
doesn’t. It
has six
windows.
windows.
Does the house have two windows?
Can the man paint pictures?
1. Can you explain what yes/no questions are?
2. Can you think of other examples of direct yes/no questions? Write them down.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. This girl is very curious. She wants to know everything in the world. She asks her teacher
several questions. As she is very polite she uses indirect questions.
May I ask if Argentina is larger than Brazil?
I’d like to know whether Canada is the second biggest country in the world.
I wonder whether the sun is a planet.
I am not sure
if an elephant
is the biggest
animal in the
world.
I have no idea if kangaroos
live in Africa.
Can you tell me whether the 23th July is the longest day in a year?
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
4. Can you explain how she forms indirect questions? Comment on the word order.
Instructions for the teacher (rozhovor může také probíhat částečně v češtině):
Teacher: „Choose one of the questions the girl asks.“ (He/she writes it on the blackboard.)
May I ask if Argentina is larger than Brazil?
“Is there the word order of a question?”
Students: “No. The subject is the first and then comes the verb.”
Teacher: “Can you form a normal question? A direct question?”
Students: “Is Argentina larger than Brazil?” (teacher writes it on the blackboard).
Teacher: “You can see that the first sentence begins with a polite expression „may I ask“, then there is the
word „if“ = jestli + subject + verb + the rest. It is called “indirect question” = nepřímá otázka. Do you know
any other word which means “jestli”?
Students: Whether.
Teacher: Yes, exactly. We can say: May I ask if Argentina is larger than Brazil? or May I ask whether
Argentina is larger than Brazil?
When do we use indirect questions? Look back at the instructions in the exercise 3 and try to guess.”
Students: “We use them when we want to be polite.”
5. EXERCISES:
A. Match the parts together to gain a sentence.
This is a drill exercise.
1d, 2e, 3b, 4c, 5a.
B. Write direct or indirect questions.
This is more difficult. The students are supposed to distinguish between direct and indirect question.
1.
DQ: Is London in Germany?
IndQ: I wonder if London is in Germany.
2.
DQ: Was your father angry yesterday?
IndQ: Can you tell me whether your father was angry yesterday?
3.
DQ: Do you like chocolate cake?
IndQ: I have no idea whether you like chocolate cake.
4.
DQ: Have you ever been to Paris?
IndQ: I am wondering whther you have ever been to Paris.
5.
DQ: Are there any lions in the local ZOO?
IndQ: I am not sure if there are any lions in the local ZOO.
6.
DQ: Can you skate?
IndQ: Can you tell me whether you can skate?
7.
DQ: Do we have to buy a ticket when we go by bus? / Have we got to…
IndQ: We would like to know whether we have to buy a ticket when we go by bus?
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
C. Change the order of the words so that you will get an indirect question.
There is no pattern which the students might follow. They have to realize what an indirect question looks
like and then to change the word order to gain it.
I wonder if he slept in a tent yesterday.
I want to know if she cooked something for dinner.
I have no idea if my Mum is waiting for me.
May I ask whether you are a singer?
1. Work in pairs. One of you asks an indirect question according to the pictures below
I wonder/I want to ask/I want to know/Can you tell me + if you can ......................... The
other answers. Change your roles regularly. Look at the example.
No. 1: I wonder if you can paint a picture.
No. 2: Yes, I can.
This exercise is here to practise the grammar in communication.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
D. Read this article. If there are any words you do not know, underline them and look them up
in a dictionary.
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 (0) in
central Italy (1). He was raised by his grandparents and he
was the son of a peasant woman and a law clerk (2).
Leonardo seemed to be very talented in many areas. He was
a musician (3), an inventor and an artist.
At the early age of 14, Leonardo's father recognized his
great talent in painting. Leonardo had painted the picture of
a dragon (4) that looked so real that it actually scared his
father when looking at it. Father and son made a journey to
visit Andrea del Verrocchio, a well-known artist, where Leonardo began to
study art.
By the age of 30, Leonardo began sketching and writing into diaries. One of
the forms of writing that Leonardo used was “mirror writing” (5) (it means you
write backwards, so that you can only read a message when you stand in front
of a mirror).
Most of Leonardo’s major works of art have not been completed. (6) Probably
he was never satisfied with what he did. Maybe he had so many thoughts and
ideas that he wanted to write them all down and he didn’t manage to finish
them all. Both make sense, but no one really knows what the truth is.
E. Imagine that this boy does not know anything about Leonardo da Vinci. Use
the sentences, which are underlined in the text above and write down the questions he
might have asked. At first, form a direct question (DQ) and then form an indirect
question (IndQ). Write a short answer, too (A).
Example:
1. DQ: Was Leonardo da Vinci born on April, 15, 1452?
IndQ: I wonder whether Leonardo da Vinci was born on April, 15, 1452.
A: Yes, he was.
2. DQ: Was he born in cetral Italy?
IndQ: I want to know if he was born in central Italy.
A: Yes, he was.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
3. DQ: Was he the son of a cook?
IndQ: I have no idea if he was the son of a cook.
A: No, he wasn’t. He was the son of a law clerk and a peasant woman.
4. DQ: Was he a musician?
IndQ: I can’t remember whether he was a musician.
A: Yes, he was.
5. DQ: Had Leonardo painted the picture of a wolf?
IndQ: I wonder if Leonardo painted the picture of a wolf.
A: No, he didn’t. He painted the picture of a dragon.
6. DQ: Did he use mirror writing?
IndQ: I don’t know whether Leonardo used mirror writing.
A: Yes, he did.
7. DQ: Have all of his works of art been completed?
IndQ: I have no idea if all of his works of art have been completed.
A: No, they haven’t. Most of his works of art haven’t been completed.
This is a very difficult task. The students must work with the article all the time. They are supposed to find
the sentence which is underlined (it is an affirmative sentence) and rewrite it as a question. It becomes
more and more difficult as there are less words given towards the end.
TIP!!! They can also change the sentence so that the answer is „No, he didn’t” etc.
What does „mirror writing“ mean? Explain it in your own words.
Find out some further information on Leonardo da Vinci’s works. Divide them in three
cathegories: What did he do as an artist? What did he do as an inventor? What did he do as a
musician?
The first „extra task” is to go back to the article and verify that the students understand it well.
The second „extra task” reaches beyond the frame of language teaching again and brings some useful
information to the students who might be interested in.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
INDIRECT QUESTIONS – WH-QUESTIONS
1. Look at these pictures and read the text in bubbles.
They are
under the
table,
darling.
They are
under the
table,
darling.
Do you
know where
my shoes
are, mum?
Where are
my shoes,
mum?
Oh, Peter!
What time
does the film
start?
It’s strange.
Nobody’s
here...
What’s the
matter with
you, John?
Did you eat
too much
ice-cream?
I have a
horrible
stomachache.
Oh my God!
I wonder why
I accepted Peter’s
invitation.
Excuse me.
Can you tell me
what time the
film starts?
Can you remember
how much ice-cream
you ate?
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
When do we use a direct question and when do we use an indirect one? Look at the pictures in the
exercise 1 again and try to guess.
Indirect questions are more polite, that is why we use them when we are talking to the people we do not
know personally.
However, direct question are more personal, not so polite and we use them especially while talking to our
family, our friends, schoolmates etc.
Comment on these structures.
Where do you live?  I wonder where you live.
When did you get up?  Can you tell me when you got up?
How many tickets will you buy?  I wonder how many tickets you will buy.
The aim is, once more, to repeat the rule. In an indirect question there must be the same tense as in the
direct question. Auxiliary verb “do” is left out.
2. Are there any questions in the bubbles? (exercise 1) What similarities can you find? Compare the
questions on the left with the questions on the right. Focus on the word order. Underline them.
The teacher will write two sentences on the blackboard.
What time does the film start?
Can you tell me what time the film starts?
Teacher: Are these sentences questions?
Students: Yes, they are.
Teacher: Are there some differences between them?
Students: In the second sentence there is “can you tell me” and a different word order.
Teacher: Exactly. There is a different word order. There is an extra part at the beginning. It is a polite
expression “can you tell me”. That’s why we have to change the word order. We have “what time” +
subject “the film” + verb “starts”.
What time does the film start? is a direct question.
Can you tell me what time the film starts? is an indirect question.”
Explanations of grammar may also be explained in Czech. It depends on the students´ reactions and their
language abilities.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
3. EXERCISES:
A.
Tick the correct answer.
This exercise is a so-called “drill”. Students only choose the correct answer. They needn’t write
anything so that it is the easiest one. The aim is to practise the rule.
1 – I have no idea how much ________.
it costs
2 – Can you tell me _____________?
where he is
3 – I wonder where __________________?
he is
4 – I am wondering how old ____ .
you are.
B.
Transform these sentences. Pay attention to the correct word order.
Where is the closest cinema?
Can you tell me where the closest cinema is?
Why are you still in your pyjamas?
I wonder why you are still in your pyjamas.
Where does your father come from?
I have no idea where your father comes from.
Why did you sell your computer?
May I ask why you sold your computer?
How much milk did you buy?
Can you tell me how much milk you bought?
Why did you do that?
Can you explain why you did that?
When will your Mum be back?
I just want to know when your Mum will be back.
How many hot-dogs have you had?
I wonder how many hot-dogs you had.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
C.
Finish the sentences. Use the words given.
Students don’t have the pattern in a direct question. They must use the words given and create
a completely new sentence. However, the first part of an indirect question is given.
I don’t know how many sisters he has.
Can you tell me how often you go swimming?.
I have no idea why they came back so early.
May I ask you what you are waiting for?
The teacher will hand out maps of a town (he may use the map in exercise D or another one). The aim is
to practise the phrases concerning describing the way. At first the teacher will ask: “Excuse me, I got
lost. Can you tell me where the cinema is, please?” (and he will point out the place where he is standing
just now.) He will ask several times and then the students will work in pairs – exercise D.
D.
PUB
HOSPITAL
Work in
SCHOOL
pairs. Look at the map.
CINEMA
One of you will ask an
where...? Could you
explain where...? I don’t
know where... The other
GROCERY
example: Can you tell me
RESTAURANT
indirect question. For
SWIMMING
POOL
PARK
one will explain the way.
questions in conversation.
Moreover, they will
practise describing of the
way in a town.
BOOKSTORE
Students must use indirect
CHEMISTRY
No words are given at all.
TOYS
SHOP
Change your roles.
ZOO
LIBRARY
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
REVISION PART:
Practise both indirect Wh- and Yes/No Questions. Fill in the questions of the interviewer. Decide
what to write according to celebrity’s answers.
INTERVIEW WITH A CELEBRITY
Interviewer: I am wondering where you were born.
Celebrity: Oh, I was born in a small village in Carolina. It was a very nice place, I loved it there. Actually, I had
wonderful childhood and many, many friends.
Interviewer: Well, may I ask how you became famous?
Celebrity: My career started immediately after I moved to New York. One man saw me in the street and he offered
me to work as a model.
Interviewer: I am not sure whether it was easy for you.
Celebrity: Oh, it wasn’t easy at all! I was too young and I didn’t have any experience. At the beginning I had to
take any job which appeared. But I was lucky and I earned more and more money. Now I can choose which offer to
accept and which one to refuse.
Interviewer: I’d like to know what your biggest experience is.
Celebrity: Oh, I don’t know... The biggest experience... Probably it was when I went to Paris. It is a city of fashion
and I gained many contacts with many famous people. I also met my husband there.
Interviewer: Oh, really! May I ask how long you are together?
Celebrity: We have been together for 10 years. We married short time after we met; it was pretty crazy... only two
months! We were lucky that our marriage worked all the time.
Interviewer: I have no idea if you have any children.
Celebrity: Yes, we have got three children. Two daughters, Susan (4) and Mia (5) and a son whose name is
Richard, after his father.
Interviewer: Well, thank you very much for your time. It was really nice to meet you. I wish you all the best for
your future career.
Celebrity: Thank you, you’re so kind! I hope we will meet again.
Question 1: What does the celebrity do as her job? She is a model.
Question 2: How many children does she have? Three.
Question 3: How long has she been married? Ten years.
Question 4: When did her career start? Was it easy? Immediately after she moved to New York. It was difficult
for her.
TIP: Make a similar interview in pairs. One of you will be the interviewer asking the indirect questions and
the other will be the celebrity. You can even record it and then listen to it in the class.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
The last task is focused not only on the grammar concerning indirect Wh- and Yes/No Questions but also
on the comprehension. The students must create the questions according to the answers of the celebrity.
Moreover there are several questions below the interview which should verify whether the students
understood all the facts. They will also have a chance to speak and answer the questions in mini-debates.
In the end they might simulate a similar interview and perform it in front of the class. Using a recorder
might be especially useful because they can hear their pronunciation and realize all the mistakes they
might have done. It is also a catching and unusual activity which the students might enjoy.
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.
SOURCES:
 OLIVERI, D. Suite101.com [online]. June 2, 2007 [cit. 2010-09-05]. Leonardo da Vinci
for Kids. Dostupné z WWW: <http://www.suite101.com/content/leonardo-da-vinci-forkids-a22667>.
 Všechny zveřejněné odkazy [cit. 2010–06–09]. Dostupné pod licencí Public domain na
WWW:
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/food/cooking/chef.png.html>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/recreation/sports/ski/skiing.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/music/performance/electric_guitar_solo.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/people/female/women_3/granny_knitting.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/C/cow/cow_2/guernsey_BW.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/buildings/homes/homes_2/yellow_house.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/people/professions/professions_3/painter.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/food/fruit/apple/apple_7.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/people/children/girls/more_girls/girl_face.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/people/faces/girl_thinking.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/famous/painter/Leonardo_da_Vinci.png>
 <http://www.wpclipart.com/people/children/boys/winking_boy.png>
Autorem materiálu a všech jeho částí, není-li uvedeno jinak, je Eliška Houzimová.
Dostupné z Metodického portálu www.rvp.cz, ISSN: 1802–4785, financovaného z ESF a státního rozpočtu ČR
Provozováno Výzkumným ústavem pedagogickým v Praze.