Questions starting with a form of the verb Be/Do/Have are called Yes/No questions.
- Correct responses usually start with Yes/No and are followed by an explanation.
- In the TOEIC test, Sure/ Of course/ Certainly/ Sorry may be heard in place of Yes/No.
- When the second speaker is not sure of his/her answer, he/she may respond by questioning back. Therefore, you do not have to pay too much attention to the forms of responses. You should first focus on listening to understand the question.
Example 1
Listen and choose the best response to the question. 2-6-1 Are you going to attend the seminar next week?
(A) I am still looking for a job.
(B) That’s very kind of you.
(C) Yes, we all have to be there.
This question wants to confirm whether the second speaker will attend the seminar or not. Hence, a Yes/No is expected in the response. When the subject of the question is you, the answer may start with either I or We. Responses (A) and (B) do not respond to the question. Response (C) is correct because it starts with Yes and uses be there to replace the phrase attend the seminar in the question.
Example 2
Listen and choose the best response to the question.
Do you have my business card?
(A) No, could you give it to me?
(B) I’ll send a postcard.
(C) He may be busy.
This question requires a Yes/No response for confirmation. Response (A) is, hence, correct because it starts with No and then comes a request for a business card. Response (B) entraps you by using the word postcard which sounds partly similar to card. Response (C) is also misleading by using busy which sounds similar to business.
Example 3
Listen and choose the best response to the question.
Have you seen any movies lately?
(A) No, I haven’t seen her.
(B) I’ve been too busy.
(C) She was late for the party.
This question also requires a Yes/No response for confirmation. In response (A), the second speaker answers starting with No and then continues I haven’t seen..., which may make you think that it is a correct answer. However, the object pronoun her is not relevant to the question.
Response (C) is wrong because it uses a similar sounding word (late - lately). Only response (B) is correct, which means the second speaker has been too busy to see movies lately.
Question Structures
Structure 1 2-6-2
Are you + V-ing /going to + bare infinitive?
Is + subject (3rd person singular) + V-ing/going to + bare infinitive?
Q: Are you coming to the party tonight?
A: Yes, I’ll be there.
Possible responses - Sure, I will not be late.
- No, I have other plans.
- I will be there on time.
- I am looking forward to it.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
The questions of this type are used to ask about an action happening at present or an action that is going to happen in the near future. You must understand the main verb in the question in order to choose the correct answer.
CHECK UP
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions below.
1. Are you going to show up at the charity event?
(A) I want to help you. (B) No, I have other plans.
2. Are you going to attend the conference?
(A) I will be there on time. (B) No, thanks.
3. Are you going to visit the Alps this winter?
(A) I am looking forward to it. (B) We had a great time.
Structure 2 2-6-3
Is /Are / Was / Were there + noun + prepositional phrase?
Q: Are there any tickets available for today’s performance?
A: Only a few are left.
Possible responses
- Yes, there are some left.
- Sorry. They are all sold out.
- Let me check.
- How many tickets do you want?
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
You should pay attention to the tenses of the verb be (present tense: is/are, past tense: was/ were).
The noun standing after there is the key word. You, therefore, should try to listen to the noun in order to choose the correct answer. Below is a list of nouns that you will often hear.
Merchandise/ Products ticket brochure
pen seat
calculator juice package delivery questionnaire
Places/ Means of transportation/Methods gas station grocery store
pharmacy bank
bus subway station
place to park work to do way to process
- When a product or an object is asked about, the correct response may confirm its existence or mention where it is kept.
No, there is none left. Yes, look in my briefcase. They’re all sold out.
- When a building or a place is asked about, the correct response may confirm its existence or mention its location.
Yes, right across the street. Sure, there is one on the corner.
CHECK UP
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions below.
1. Is there a grocery store in the neighborhood?
(A) Yes, I’ll call you later. (B) Yes, right across the street.
2. Are there any more apples left in the refrigerator?
(A) I will cook with apples. (B) Yes, there are some left.
Structure 3 2-6-4
Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + adjective?
Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + past participle?
Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + prepositional phrase?
Q: Are gas and electricity included in the rent?
A: Yes, and water, too.
Possible responses - Yes, they are.
- All utility bills are included.
- No, utility bills are not included.
- Utility bills are charged separately TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
After the adjective, there will be a to-infinitive phrase or a prepositional phrase. You have to list carefully to not only the adjective but also what follows it. After the past participle, there will be prepositional phrase. You have to listen to this, too.
Common adjectives
late free available open successful sure certain Common question structures with adjectives
Are you able to V?
Are you ready to V?
Is he / she likely to V?
Is it necessary to V?
Is it possible to V?
Are you familiar with ~?
Is it okay to V?
Common question structures with past participles Are you pleased with ~?
Are you satisfied with ~?
Are you interested in ~?
Common prepositional phrases on display
on vacation in charge of in a meeting out of town out of the office
The correct response usually starts with Yes/No. Then, a further explanation or more information about the subject is given.
CHECK UP
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions below.
1. Are you free later this afternoon?
(A) No, I’m busy. (B) Three times a day.
2. Is Ms. Lopez still on vacation?
(A) Yes, she is working now. (B) Yes, but she will be here on Friday
Structure 4 2-6-5
Do/Does/Did + subject + bare infinitive (+ object)?
Q: Do you have an extra copy of the schedule?
A: Yes, it’s on my desk.
Possible responses - I will bring it to you.
- Let me check.
- There are some extra copies on the table.
- Sorry. That is the last one.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
The most important thing is to listen to and understand the verb and its object in the question.
Generally, very common verbs such as have, know, need, see, move, want, watch, etc. may be used. However, the object that follows these verbs is usually a long phrase. You should, therefore, focus on listening to the object coming after these verbs.
This question structure is used to confirm some information, and the correct response usually starts with Yes/No, then a further explanation or more information is given.
:
Sometimes, the tense in the correct response does not necessarily correspond with that in the question. For example, the question starts with Do/Does, but the past tense may be used in the correct response.
CHECK UP
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions below.
1. Does this gym have indoor tennis courts?
(A) Yes, on the first floor. (B) Yes, once a week.
2. Did you move into the new house?
(A) That sounds good. (B) Yes, I did.
3. Did the plane arrive at the airport on time?
(A) No, I took a taxi. (B) No, it was delayed.
Practice - Questions with Be /Do /Have (1)
Listen to the questions and responses below and choose the correct response to each question.
Then, listen again and fill the missing words in the gapped questions and responses.
Practice A 2-6-6
1. Are you leaving work early today?
(A)…………Yes………., I will.
(B) Yes, I will ……work………on it.
2. Do you have Jessica’s phone number?
(A) Let me……Check…… my ……diary……….
(B) Yes, she ……called…………me this morning.
3. Is there a gas station around here?
(A) It ……left………..five minutes……ago………
(B) There is one……down…….the……street………
gas station
4. Is it okay to park in front of the building?
(A) I couldn’t……find……….a……parking space………..
(B) I don’t ………think so…………..
5. Are you satisfied with the service you received?
(A) Are you ……sure………?
(B) Yes, ……I am………..
be satisfied with
6. Does your new laser printer work?
(A) Yes, it is ……faster…………than the old one.
(B) I think he is ……at work……….. .
laser Practice B
1. Is there a ……gas station……….around here?
(A) It ………left………..ten minutes…ago……..
(B) The ……nearest one………….is five miles away.
2. Is it okay to …park…………in……front……..of the building?
(A) Yes, there is a ……park………..
(B) No, it is a no-…parking area………
3. Are you ………leaving work………early today?
(A) Yes, I will …leave it……….to……you…….
(B) Yes, at ……four……….o’clock.
4. Are you satisfied ……with……..the ……service………. you received?
(A) It was ……not bad………….
(B) No, it is not……that big…………
5. Does your new laser……printer work…………?
(A) Yes, it…works fine……….
(B) I think ……he……….is……working………now 6. Do you ……have…………..Jessica’s phone (A) Yes, I……do…………..
(B) No, she ……called……..me.
Structure 5 2-6-7
Do you know + question word + subject + verb?
Q: Do you know where the nearest bus stop is?
A: Just across the street.
Possible responses - Over there.
- Around the corner.
- At the corner of the street.
- Next to the taxi stand.
- There is one in front of the post office.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
This question structure is known as indirect question. Sometimes, the verb know can be replaced by remember. The frequency of question words is arranged as follows: where > when > who >
why > what > how.
The correct response to this type of question must provide the information for the part right after the main verb in the question. It can also start with Yes/No.
CHECK UP
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions below.
1. Do you know where I can buy a newspaper?
(A) Over there. (B) At noon.
2. Do you know when the report is due?
(A) To New York (B) By Friday 3. Do you know who is in charge of this project?
(A) It’s tonight. (B) That would be Mr. James.
Structure 6 2-6-8
Do you mind if I/ we + verb?
Do you mind + V-ing?
Q: Do you mind if I park my car here for a moment?
A: Sorry. It is a restricted area.
Possible responses - That’s fine with me.
- Not at all.
- By all means
- This place is reserved for emergency vehicles only.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
The questions of this type are used as polite requests when the speaker wants to ask someone to do something, or they can also be used to ask for someone's permission or agreement. To be more polite, he/she can use Would you mind + V-ing?
When accepting the request, the second speaker may say No/Not at all. When refusing the request, he/she will not say Yes (because it is extremely impolite) but Actually, I do mind CHECK UP
1. Do you mind if I turn on the radio?
(A) I like that TV program. (B) Actually, I do mind.
2. Do you mind waiting for a while?
(A) For thirty minutes. (B) That’s fine with me.
3. Do you mind if I close the window?
(A) I opened the door. (B) Not at all.
Structure 7 2-6-9
Have you + past participle?
Has/Have + subject (3rd person) + (been) past participle?
Q: Have you received the sample?
A: No, it hasn’t arrived yet.
Possible responses
- Yes, I received it just a while ago.
- It arrived ten minutes ago.
- I am still waiting for it.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
The questions of this type are used to confirm whether the subject has done something or not. In case the subject is a thing/an object, the verb will be in the passive form and has the meaning of being repaired/delivered/installed, etc.
Common nouns
book package mail letter car fax order catalog article Common verbs
arrive fix complete repair finish deliver arrive install proofread
The correct response usually starts with Yes/No, and then gives a further explanation or more information. For the question starting with Have you, the correct response will start with I, or the object in the question may become the subject in the response.
Have you seen my briefcase, Mike?
- Isn’t it on your desk? (The object briefcase in the question is replaced by the pronoun it in the response.)
CHECK UP
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions below.
1. Has the package been delivered?
(A) Twice a day (B) Yes, it has just arrived.
2. Have you finished reading the files I gave you?
(A) Not yet. (B) No, it’s mine.
3. Has the software been installed on your computer?
(A) No, it hasn’t. (B) Yes, I repaired my computer.
Practice - Questions with Be/Do/Have (2)
Listen to the questions and responses below and choose the correct response to each question.
Then, listen again and fill the missing words in the gapped questions and responses.
Practice A 2-6-10
1. Do you mind if I leave early today?
(A) Not ………at all……….
(B) ………Never mind………
2. Has your car been repaired yet?
(A) Yes, I’ll …take…………..a……taxi……….
(B) It was ……fixed……..today.
3. Do you know who has the copy of the revised schedule?
(A) There is …one………on my…desk……..
(B) Sorry. I can’t …change……….my…schedule…………
4. Have you seen my wallet?
(A) No, I haven’t.
(B) ……Not…………very ……many……….
wallet
5. Do you know when the report is due?
(A)……By tomorrow………….morning.
(B) Yes, I ………received………it ……yesterday….
6. Has the report for the meeting been completed yet?
(A) Yes, they ……left…………..together.
(B) No, not ……yet………
Practice B
1. Has your car …been repaired…….yet?
(A) Yes, I’ll ……take…….a…bus……….
(B) Yes, I’ll go to the …repair shop…..to…pick…it…up…this afternoon 2. Do you know …when…..the report is …due………….?
(A) Yes, I received it……last week………..
(B) No, I haven’t…heard…………
3. Have you …seen…..my wallet?
(A) It’s …on…………your …desk…………
(B) No, I don’t have any …money………….
4. Do you ……mind……..if I……leave……..early today?
(A) Don’t be …late………
(B) I’d rather you …didn’t……
rather
5. Has the…report……for the meeting been…completed…yet?
(A) I…appreciate………. it.
(B) I am still …working on…………it.
6. Do you know ……who….has the …copy……of the…revised…..schedule?
(A) It’s …with…….Ms. Sanchez.
(B) It’s …scheduled…..for…… Friday……….
LESSON 6
PART 2
COMMON VOCABULARY 2-6-11
First, listen to the words in the box. Then, listen and fill the missing words in the gapped questions and responses below.
Verbs
borrow: vay 1 declare: tuyên bố defer: hoãn lại disqualify: loại edit: chỉnh sữa figure out: tìm ra
slip one’s mind : đánh trượt tâm trí của một người mind one’s step: nhớ một bước
overwork: làm việc quá sức run out of:hết
stay out of trouble: tránh xa rắc rối transfer: chuyển khoản 2
CHECK-UP 1
1. A: Do you have an extra umbrella?
B: Yes, you can ……borrow……..mine.
2. A: Are you going to be…… transferred………to the new branch?
B: Yes, probably next month.
branch
3. A: Do you know why the manager ……deferred………the meeting?
B: I have no idea.
4. A: Have we …… run out of………office supplies?
B: Yes, we should order some more of them.
office supplies
5. A: Do you remember you need to submit your report by tomorrow?
B: Oh, it……slipped my mind……….
Nouns/ Adjectives charity: từ thiện
combination : sự kết hợp figure: nhân vật
normal allowance: trợ cấp bình thường overtime: tăng ca
qualification: bằng cấp sponsor: nhà tại trợ acquainted: hiểu biết disqualified: bị loại
informative : nhiều thông tin quarterly: hàng quý
recommendable: được giới thiệu rental: cho thuee
restricted: hạn chế indoor : trong nhà CHECK-UP 2
1. A: Do you know the……combination………. to open the safe?
B: No, but Jason must know it.
safe
2. A: Do you have a copy of the sales……figures………. for this month?
B: There’s one on my desk.
3. A: Are there any other……qualifications……..necessary for the job?
B: I don’t think so.
necessary
4. A: Do you have anything to declare?
B: No, just the ……normal allowance………….
declare
5. A: Have you finished editing the………quarterly……….report?
B: I will be done before Tuesday.
edit
PRACTICE WITH POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions 2-6-12 1A 2B 3B 4A 5B 6A 7A 8B 9A 10A
1. Has the fax machine we ordered arrived yet? (A) No, it will take a few more days. (B) Yes, I faxed it immediately.
2. Are there any recommendable restaurants nearby? (A) I will recommend her for the position. (B) Do you like Thai food?
3. Do you know who left these documents in the conference room? (A) It should be submitted before 5 o’clock tomorrow. (B) I have no idea.
4. Are you waiting for Mr. Bronson from Washington? (A) Yes, we are supposed to meet here at three. (B) Yes, the waiting room is on the second floor.
5. Excuse me. Is this seat taken? (A) It will not take very long. (B) No, you can take it.
6. Did you buy this on the subway? (A) How do you know? (B) It is at the next stop.
7. Do you mind if I leave the windows open for a while? (A) Not at all. (B) Mind your step.
8. Are you acquainted with those people? (A) Yes, I’d like to come with them. (B) I have never seen them before.
9. Does this store sell computer games? (A) Please go to the next store. (B) Yes, this is a very popular game.
10. Have you made enough copies for the meeting? (A) I think I have. (B) The meeting will start at three.
Dịch tiếng việt
1. Máy fax mà chúng tôi đặt hàng đã đến nơi chưa? (A) Không, sẽ mất vài ngày nữa. (B) Có, tôi đã fax nó ngay lập tức.
2. Có nhà hàng nào được giới thiệu gần đây không? (A) Tôi sẽ giới thiệu cô ấy cho vị trí này. (B) Bạn có thích đồ ăn Thái không?
3. Bạn có biết ai đã để những tài liệu này trong phòng họp không? (A) Nó phải được gửi trước 5 giờ sáng mai. (B) Tôi không biết.
4. Bạn đang đợi ông Bronson từ Washington? (A) Vâng, chúng ta phải gặp nhau ở đây lúc ba giờ. (B) Có, phòng chờ ở tầng hai.
5. Xin lỗi. Ghế này đã có ai ngồi chưa? (A) Sẽ không mất nhiều thời gian. (B) Không, bạn có thể lấy nó.
6. Bạn đã mua cái này trên tàu điện ngầm? (A) Làm thế nào để bạn biết? (B) Nó ở điểm dừng tiếp theo.
7. Bạn có phiền nếu tôi để cửa sổ mở một lúc không? (A) Không hề. (B) Nhớ bước đi của bạn. 8. Bạn có quen biết với những người đó không? (A) Có, tôi muốn đi cùng họ. (B) Tôi chưa bao giờ nhìn thấy chúng trước đây.
9. Cửa hàng này có bán trò chơi máy tính không? (A) Vui lòng đến cửa hàng tiếp theo. (B) Vâng, đây là một trò chơi rất phổ biến.
10. Bạn đã sao chép đủ cho cuộc họp chưa? (A) Tôi nghĩ rằng tôi có. (B) Cuộc họp sẽ bắt đầu lúc ba giờ.
PRACTICE WITH TOEIC ACTUAL QUESTIONS
Listen and choose the correct response to each of the questions 2-6-13 1C 2B 3A 4C 5B 6B 7B 8C 9A 10B 11C 12C 13C 14B 15A
1. Do you need a ride to the airport? (A) Yes, you need some rest. (B) The flight will be delayed. (C) That would be a big help.
2. Are there any letters for me? (A) Yes, he did. (B) I left them on your desk. (C) At 9 o’clock.
3. Do you mind if I borrow this book for a day? (A) No, go ahead. (B) Where did you borrow the book? (C) Mind your own business.
4. Are you going to hire him for the position? (A) He will be here soon. (B) You can stay here, too. (C) It has not been decided yet.
5. Is anyone going to the planning office this afternoon? (A) No, he didn’t. (B) I am. (C) That’s okay with me.
6. Did you leave all the reports on my desk? (A) Yes, I will leave in an hour. (B) I still have them with me. (C) He will come back again soon.
7. Has the final decision been deferred? (A) Yes, it was the final decision. (B) Yes, I was told that. (C) No, it’s not very different.
8. Do you mind if I have a look at the report? (A) It slipped my mind. (B) Never mind. (C) By all means.
9. Is Mr. Gomez still in charge of the sales team? (A) He was transferred to the main office.
(B) It will be charged quarterly. (C) Yes, he is qualified for it.
10. Have you figured out what’s wrong with your car? (A) That’s very kind of you. (B) I think the battery is dead. (C) I will show you the exact figure.
11. Does this train stop at Cambridge? (A) Please go to platform number 5. (B) It takes just 5 minutes on foot. (C) We will be there in half an hour.
12. Do you know how to use this fax machine? (A) I don’t think it is useful. (B) You can send it by e-mail. (C) Sure. Do you want me to show you?
13. Have you finished reading the report I gave you last week? (A) I have stayed there since last week. (B) Yes, I called her last week. (C) It will be done before this weekend.