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Asking-for-Clarification (with Audio) Flipbook PDF
Daily Communication English
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Functional English
Asking for Clarification Warm-Up Clarify is a verb. It means “to make clear.” You need to speak and understand language clearly in order to communicate. If you don’t understand someone, you need to ask for clarification. Clarification is a noun. In the paragraph above, what parts of speech are the words clear and clearly?
Dialogues Read the dialogues, and practice with a partner.
A. Asking for Clarification Dialogue 1 A: Excuse me. Could you repeat that, please? B: No problem. I said that the next bus comes in 15 minutes.
B. Using Tag Questions to Ask for Clarification Dialogue 1 A: You said three cups of sugar, right? B: No, I said two cups of sugar.
C. Offering Clarification Dialogue 1 A: What I mean is, come over anytime. B: Oh, okay. Thanks for clarifying. Dialogue 2
Dialogue 2
Dialogue 2
A: I ’m not sure I follow. Could you give me an example? B: Sure. Let me think of one.
A: You understand the rules, don’t you? B: Yes, I understand them clearly.
A: Let me explain that differently. B: Thanks. I’m really confused. Dialogue 3
Dialogue 3
Dialogue 3
A: Did you say the meeting is on Friday? B: No, I said the meeting is today. We’re meeting to discuss Friday’s schedule.
A: You are Joey’s wife, aren’t you? B: No, I am Allan’s wife. Lisa is Joey’s wife. A: Oh, I’m sorry! You and Lisa look similar. Thanks for clarifying.
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A: Let me clarify. This trip is just for the senior students. B: Oh, I misunderstood. I thought it was for all of the students.
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Functional English
Asking for Clarification A. U seful Expressions for Interrupting
B. Speaking Practice
Never pretend to understand something that you don’t understand. Use a polite expression to interrupt and ask for clarification if you don’t hear or understand something properly.
Now work with a partner. First, work together to come up with questions for the responses below (orally). Then practice asking and answering the questions together. The person who asks the question will ask for clarification after hearing the response. The respondent will repeat the answer (more slowly). Finally, switch roles.
1. Pardon me? 2. I beg your pardon? 3. Excuse me. Could you repeat that, please?
Responses:
4. Could you say that again?
• • • • • •
5. I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you properly. 6. I’m sorry, I missed that. 7. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. 8. I don’t understand what you mean. / What does mean? 9. C ould you give an example? / Could you explain more about ? 10. Did you say ? (repeat what you think a person said)
459-9901 450 Water Street Melissa April 14 It’s on page 45. There is no parking available here. You will have to park on the street. • In aisle seven. Example: A: What’s your phone number? B: 459-9901. A: I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. B: (more slowly) 459-9901.
Let Me Be Clear
Informal Clarification
Play a game of broken telephone in small groups. One person starts a message and whispers it to another person. Did the message make it all the way to the end of the line? Now play again. This time, if you don’t hear correctly, ask the whisperer for clarification: Example:
Close friends and family members aren’t always polite. You may hear them asking for clarification in a very informal way. • • • •
A: (whispering) I like cute puppies, such as poodles. B: (out loud) I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. A: (whispering) I said I like cute puppies, such as poodles.
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BET WEEN FRIENDS
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What? Say again? Huh? Wha’d you say? (What did you say?)
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Vocabulary Review A. Choose the Best Response Listen to the recording. Circle the best response for each question. 1. a) Let me clarify. b) No, I don’t get it. c) Yes, that’s right.
4. a) Yes, you got it now. b) Let me explain. c) I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
2. a) Allow me to rephrase that. b) Thanks. I’m really confused. c) Yes, it’s a good one.
5. a) Follow me. b) Sorry. I’ll give you an example. c) Yes, that’s how I got here.
3. a) You’re coming, aren’t you? b) Understand? c) That’s right.
6. a) No, I said for 14. b) That’s okay. c) Oh, I misunderstood.
B. Word Forms
A Fun Idiom
The word “clarify” is a verb. The word “clarification” is a noun. The word “clear” is an adjective. Which word is needed in each blank? 1. Are we all on what we need to do? 2. Let me . You can use a dictionary.
to have the same information and a shared understanding of something • I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page.
3. Please ask for if you don’t understand.
• Are we on the same page?
4. I need you to the instructions.
• I don’t think we’re on the same page.
5. The voice message was not . Can you tell us your address again?
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ON THE SAME PAGE
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Functional English
Review Task 1 Work with a partner. Read a dialogue between two hockey coaches and some parents. Identify the following:
A TEAM MEETING Coach #1:
Hi, parents. We have a few announcements about the upcoming hockey tournament. As you know, the tournament is on the second weekend in March in Brampton, Ontario.
2. the location of the event
Interrupting Parent #1:
Pardon me, where is it?
3. clothing requirements
Coach #2:
Brampton. Next, all players must have their Home and Away jerseys.
Interrupting Parent #2:
Sorry, I missed that.
Coach #1:
Bring your child’s Home and Away jerseys to the tournament.
Coach #2:
Next, each child must bring his own skates, helmet, padding, and hockey stick. We will not have extras.
Interrupting Parent #1:
Could you repeat that, please?
Coach #2:
Bring your child’s jerseys, skates, helmet, padding, and hockey stick.
Coach #1:
We are taking a bus. The bus is leaving on Saturday at 9:00 am from Market Square.
Interrupting Parent #2:
Sorry, did you say Markham?
Coach #1:
I said Market Square. Am I forgetting anything?
Coach #2:
No siblings are allowed on the bus.
Interrupting Parent #1:
I’m sorry, what does that mean?
Coach #2:
No brothers or sisters. Players and parents only.
Coach #1:
Oh, and all players must bring a deposit of $50 to Monday’s practice.
Interrupting Parent #2:
Pardon me? Did you say $15?
Coach #1:
$50. Five-oh. And don’t forget to sign and submit the permission form.
Coach #2:
Are there any questions?
1. the date of the event
4. transportation details 5. the cost of the event 6. one special rule 7. one important reminder
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Review cont. Task 2 Now imagine that you and your partner are the coaches or leaders of a team or club. You are going to hold a parent meeting to talk about an upcoming event. Prepare the following information for your meeting in short form. • the date of the event • the location of the event • clothing/equipment requirements • transportation details • the cost of the event • one special rule • one important reminder
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Review cont. Task 3 It’s time to hold your parent meeting. Go to the front of the room with your partner and hold your meeting. The parents (classmates) will practice interrupting you politely to ask for clarification. They may also ask you additional questions.
Remember to talk about: • • • • • • •
the date of the event the location of the event clothing/equipment requirements transportation details the cost of the event one special rule one important reminder
Did You Remember? PROMPTS FOR INTERRUPTING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Pardon me? I beg your pardon? Excuse me. Could you repeat that, please? Could you say that again? I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you properly. I’m sorry, I missed that. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. I don’t understand what you mean. / What does mean? Could you give an example? / Could you explain more about ? Did you say ? (repeat what you think a person said)
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Speaking Assessment Tool Student / Group:
Date
Level
Criteria
Assessed By
Role-Play Scenario
Skills
Asking for Clarification
Speaking, Listening
Achieved
Achieved With Help
Needs Improvement
interrupts politely
asks for clarification using tag questions
provides a reason for the lack of comprehension or understanding
speaks clearly
Notes
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Learner Reflection ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION Add check marks () to show what you've learned in this lesson. Name:
Can I...
Date: Yes (very well)
Yes (with help)
Not yet
ask for clarification?
use tag questions when asking for clarification?
offer clarification? interrupt politely when I don’t understand or don’t hear properly? ask for clarification in a very informal situation?
My Notes
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