The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002
13.4. Responses
Unit thirteen. Information, reality and belief
Sections 249-252; 22-23
Responses to statements:
• In conversation we often make a response to a statement to express interest, surprise, pleasure, etc. Many of these responses are ’backchannels’ like Yes, Yeah, Mm, Really?, That’s right.
• In informal English, shortened wh-questions can be used as responses to statements (a) when the hearer wants more information or (b) when it is not clear, in some respect, what the speaker says.
• Yes-no echo questions are used as requests for repetition when the information given by the speaker was surprising or not fully audible. Either all or part of the statement can be echoed. In wh-echo questions one specific element of the statement is singled out for further clarification.
• General requests for repetition include expressions like Pardon?, Excuse me?, etc. and more complete sentences asking the speaker to repeat the original statement.
Task one **
Complete the following conversation by adding a variety of ’backchannels’, using each one of them only once.
Dad: Tom, I’m not too pleased with the way you’ve been behaving lately.
Tom:
Dad: Professor Crawford tells me you’re not turning up for some of his lectures ...
Tom:
Dad: . especially those taught in the morning.
Tom:
Dad: Look, son, there’s nothing wrong with going to bars and discos from time to time.
Tom:
Dad: I did that too when I was your age …
Tom:
Dad: . but I knew when to stop.
Tom:
Dad: I belonged to a different generation, of course.
Tom:
Dad: Some of us would even go to lectures with a bad hangover.
Tom:
Dad: Look, you’ve got enough talent to get a good degree …
Tom:
Dad: … and you would probably want to keep your monthly allowance, I suppose.
Tom:
Task two **
Add to each of the following statements a shortened wh-question asking for more information (relating to the point in brackets) followed by an appropriate answer.
Example: A: Would you give me that book, please. (specification)
→ B: What/Which book? / Which one?
A: That novel by V.S Naipaul over there / on your desk.
1. Ian is studying chemistry and physics. (place)
2. Charles insisted on having a word with me. (topic)
3. I’ve received angry letters from our main customer. (number)
4. We don’t want to emigrate to New Zealand any more. (reason)
5. One of the missing children was spotted near a cliff edge. (time)
6. Two flights have been cancelled. (specification)
7. I went to the movies in those days. (frequency)
8. The circus artist had been in a coma. (duration)
9. I’ll try to make it up with Caroline. (manner)
10. Put the stuff into our garage, will you? (specification)
11. The victim had been knocked down. (instrument)
12. I’ve bought a pearl necklace. (recipient)
Task three **
Respond to each of the following statements with
(a) a wh-echo question focusing on the underlined part, using two types of word order where possible.
(b) a yes-no echo question in all other cases, using both a complete and a shortened version.
Examples: I lost one of my contact lenses this morning.
→ What did you lose ? / You lost what?
Would you give me a screwdriver, please.
→ Give you a screwdriver ? / A screwdriver?
1. I lost a finger when I was a child.
2. Johnny Reckless considers himself an excellent driver.
3. Martin should have his head examined.
4. A sister of mine became a pavement artist.
5. I spent two months in Kuala Lumpur.
6. We’re going to buy a speedboat next summer.
7. Mr Clay earned half a million dollars last year.
8. I admire body builders for their big muscles.
9. Aunt Rachel was born in 1910.
10. The government wants to privatize the prison system.
11. Brother Francis is a specialist in medieval manuscripts.
12. The two youngsters killed the hamsters for fun.