Commenting on questions

When someone in the audience asks you a question, it is a good idea to comment on it before you actually answer it. This gives you time to think. There are four basic types of questions: 1. Good questions: Thank people for asking them. They help you to get your message across to the audience better. 2. Difficult questions: These are the ones you cannot or prefer not to answer. Say you do not know, offer to find out or ask the questioner what they think. 3. Unnecessary questions: You have already given this information. Point this out, answer briefly again and move on. 4. Irrelevant questions: Try not to sound rude, but move on.

Task 2. [individually, then in pairs]

Put the following responses into 4 groups: responses to good questions, difficult questions, unnecessary questions and irrelevant questions.

1. I’m afraid I don’t see the connection.

2. I don’t know that off the top of my head. (informal)

3. I think I answered that earlier.

4. Interesting. What do you think?

5. I’m afraid I’m not in a position to comment on that.

6. I’m glad you asked that.

7. To be honest, I think that raises a different issue.

8. I’m afraid I don’t have that information with me.

9. Sorry, I don’t follow you.

10. Can I get back to you on that?

11. Good point.

12. Well, as I said…

13. I wish I knew.

14. Well, as I mentioned earlier, …

15. That’s a very good question.

16. That’s a difficult question to answer.

17. I think the aim of this talk is to focus on … rather than …

language functions

Following up an Answer

That’s not really what I was asking. My question is about … Perhaps I didn’t make my question clear. In fact what I asked was … I think you’ve answered a slightly different question. What I would like to know is … Sorry, I’m still not clear about …

Task 2. [individually, then in groups of 4]

Revise the material about perspectives in psychology. For this purpose you may want to reread texts A and B or/and use any other material on the topic. First individually make four questions concerning the most interesting or complicated points of the topic. Then in groups of four discuss all your questions and agree on 4 questions you collectively consider to be the best ones. Make sure your questions are correct in terms of grammar and vocabulary. Get ready to put your questions to the other groups to check their comprehension of the topic.

Task 3. [individually, then in groups of 4]

What do you think the British philosopher Bertrand Russell meant by the following statement? Discuss this question in groups. Assign roles as recommended in Unit 1 to make your discussion more effective. After the discussion the reporter will have to present the group interpretation of the quotation. The other groups may ask questions to check their understanding. The team leader will be responsible for evaluating the group work and each member’s contribution, the language guard will have to comment on the verbal behaviour of the group members.