Fourth unit: Getting information

When you provide a service in casino or many others places, you need to know what the guests needs. That means that you have to ask them about what they want or what they need.

So in this unit, you are going to identify two kinds of questions and how are they used.

In English exist to kinds of basic questions: yes or no questions and information questions (Wh-questions).

Yes or No questions

The yes or no questions use the ver be, have, do and modal verbs (can, could, should, may, will, would). Those questions always begin with one of those verbs and you can answer them with just yes or no.

BE

Use the verb be to ask about the identity, description or location of something or someone, or some activities or situations in the present or the past.

Identity / Description
Used be with a noun or adjective to ask about the identity or description of a person, place or thing.

Am I your best friend?	Yes (you are).
Is this interesting?	No (it is not).
Are these islands part of Greece?	Yes (they are).
Was his idea good?	No (it wasn't).
Were they happy?	Yes (they were).

Location
Be ­+ a prepositional phrase is used to inquire about the location of past and present of a person or thing.

Am I near your house?                                                No (you aren't).

Is he in Panamá?                                                         Yes (he is).

Are we at the border yet?                                           No (we are not).

Was his apartment above a bakery?                        Yes (it was).

Were the demonstrations downtown?                       No (they weren't).

Activities and situations in present
 To ask about activities or situations that are happening now or will happen very soon, using the present progressive: the present of be + present participle (verb + ing).

Am I going with you and Tom?	Yes (you are).
Is England adopting the euro?	No (it isn't).
Is she working today?	No (she isn't).
Are they going there now?	Yes (they are).
Are we seeing a play tonight?	Yes (we are).

Activities and Situations in the past
 To ask about an activity or situation that has occurred in the past and lasted for an indefinite period, use the progressive past: be + past participle present.

Was it raining?                                  Yes (it was).

Was Anna cooking?                       No (she wasn't).

Were the prisoners rebelling?  Yes (They Were).

Were they singing?                        No (they were not.)

HAVE

Use the verb have to ask whether an action has occurred or if someone has done something.
Note that the auxiliary verb Have is in present and the main verb is always a past participle.

Have your brother left?                  No (he hasn't).

Have you flown before?                Yes (I have).

Has the party started?                  Yes (it has).

Have the guests eaten?                           No (they have not.)

DO

Use the verb do to get data from people, places or things.
The verb Do is always followed by the subject and a verb in the infinitive without to.

Do they smoke?                                             No (they do not).

Does Bogotá get cold?                                 Yes (it does).

Did it work?                                                      No (Did it).

Do flying fish really fly?                               No (they do not).

Does running hurt your knees?                 Yes (it does).

Did teaching challenge you?                      Yes (it did).

MODAL VERBS

use modal verbs to obtain more information about opportunities and uncertainties.
Modal verbs are always followed by a verb in the infinitive without to.

Can we stay?                                    Yes (We Can stay).

Could this be true?                        Yes (Could it be true).

Should they Stop?                          No (they shouldn't).

May I help you?                              Yes (you may).

Will it rain?                                         No (it will not rain).

Would you go with me?               Yes (I Would).

Activities
Finish the following practice presented in the link below.
Short answers (yes or no questions)

WH Questions

Those kind of questions are also important, because they are use to get information.

We can use words such as how, why, where, when, who, which, and what. These words are called WH words.

How: to ask about manner                         (How did you do that?)

Why: to ask about reasons                        (Why are you crying?)

Where: to ask about locations                   (Where will you be?)

When: to ask about times                          (When will you go?)

Who: to ask about person or people          (Who is that?)

Which: to ask about a specific member of a group (Which one was it?)

What: to ask about things                          (What is this?)

Listen for the 'WH' words in the dialogue presented in the video.

Question conversation

E:Good afternoon, 311. How can I help you?

A: Hello, I am planning a trip to New York City, and I need some information.

E: Yes, when will you be arriving?

A: On April 1st. How can I get to Manhattan from the airport?

E: Which airport will you arrive at?

A: LaGuardia Airport.

E: You can take M60.

A: Where in Manhattan does it go?

E: The M60 goes to the west side and the east side. When does your flight arrive?

A: At 10 am.

E: The M60 leaves the airport every 8 minutes in the morning.

A: My last question: what color is the bus?

E: Blue and white. Now I have some questions for you. Who told you about 311, 

and why are youcoming to New York City? 

A: My friend told me about 311 and I'm traveling to New York City for a job interview.

E: Enjoy your visit and good luck with the interview!

A: Thank you. 

So remember, 'WH' words can help you get information to important questions.

Activities
Complete this activity about the use of WH- words.
WH Questions - WH WORDS