Listen and Choose a Response
Listen and Choose a Response: pick the reply that fits the function of what you hear — not the one that repeats its words.
In this lesson you will
- Identify the function of the prompt (question, request, offer, complaint)
- Choose functionally appropriate replies
- Avoid sound-alike and word-repeat traps
Learn
You hear a short sentence and choose the best reply. First identify its function: a question, a request, an offer, a suggestion, a complaint, news, or an invitation.
Indirect answers are common and often correct: Is the library open late tonight? — It closes at ten on weekdays.
Traps: options that repeat words from the prompt, sound-alike words (walk/work), or answer a different question (Where…? answered with a time).
Wh- words: When → time; Where → place; Why → reason; How long → duration; Who → person/role.
Examples
- Prompt: Could you send me the notes from today? — Best: Sure, I’ll email them tonight.
- Prompt: Why wasn’t Maya at the seminar? — Best: She had a doctor’s appointment.
- Trap: Prompt about a “report” → option mentioning a “port”.
Vocabulary
function
what a sentence does (request, offer…)
indirect answer
a reply that answers without yes/no
sound-alike
a word that sounds similar
prompt
what you hear first
appropriate
suitable
Practice
“Would you like to join our study group?” — Best reply:
Lesson quiz
“Why don’t we meet earlier?” is…
Review
Key points
- Identify function.
- Indirect answers can be correct.
- Avoid repeats and sound-alikes.
- Match wh-word to answer type.
What you learned
- ✓ I choose appropriate responses.
- ✓ I recognise functions.
- ✓ I avoid traps.