Unit 6: Enquiries

Introduction to Unit 6

This unit is about making enquiries and asking for clarifications.

NOW GO TO THE FIRST SECTION: Dialogue

Dialogue

The following conversation is between two friends, Ben and Lea, and a shop owner, Abdul. Ben needs to buy some items for a school project, and Lea has gone to help him to find the things he is looking for.

Ben: Hi, Abdul, sorry to bother you. How are you? Abdul: Hello, Ben, I’m good thanks. How can I help you? Ben: I need to buy a few things for ...

Vocabulary

Now let’s look at some of the words and phrases from the conversation in more detail.

Ben says, “Sorry to bother you”. “Sorry to bother you” is a polite phrase used before making an enquiry or asking a question, to apologise for interrupting or using someone’s ...

Comprehension Questions

Now go back and read the conversation again, and try to answer the following questions about it. After this, discuss your answers with a friend.

What does Ben need help with? (1 mark) Has Ben bought these things before? (1 mark) What did Ben ask to be repeated? (1 mark) What is Lea worried about? ...

Grammar

The following grammar points are about the use of prepositions and direct and indirect questions. Try the accompanying exercises to practise them.

Prepositions: with and for In the conversation, Ben said, “I need some paper with a rough and smooth side, and a tool for cutting wood”. “With” and “for” are prepositions. ...

Writing

Practise your written English by answering one of the following writing activities. Try to use new vocabulary and grammar from this unit, and practise reading it out loud – this is a great way to spot mistakes. You could also swap your piece of writing with a friend to correct it. To help you, there are a few ideas of phrases you could use under each question.

Write an email to a company that makes things for the kitchen, like ovens, pots, pans etc.. Politely ask how the item you have recently bought works. Useful vocabulary: Could ...