Lecture 12Questions and AnswersEnglishforAcademicCommunication
Lecture 12 Questions and Answers English for Academic Communication
ContentsIn this lecture you willTo learn skills in handling questions in an effective wayTo learn skills in raisingquestionsTo rehearse questions and answersEnglishforAcademicCommunication
Contents In this lecture you will: • To learn skills in handling questions in an effective way • To learn skills in raising questions • To rehearse questions and answers English for Academic Communication
Handling questionsHow to choose questioners:different areas of the hallBefore answering the question:listen carefully to the questionlisten to the entire questiondo not look at the floor or ceiling while listeningEnglishforAcademicCommunication
Handling questions How to choose questioners: different areas of the hall Before answering the question: listen carefully to the question listen to the entire question do not look at the floor or ceiling while listening English for Academic Communication
If you do not understand a questionyou can say:Pardon, I couldn't hear what you saidI beg your pardon. I didn't catch what you saidI am sorry I forgot your first question. Would you be so kind as torepeat it?I'm not sure what your question isI didn't quite get the last point of your questionCould you go over that again?English for Academic Communication
If you do not understand a question you can say: Pardon, I couldn’t hear what you said. I beg your pardon. I didn’t catch what you said. I am sorry I forgot your first question. Would you be so kind as to repeat it? I’m not sure what your question is. I didn’t quite get the last point of your question. Could you go over that again? English for Academic Communication
Welcome the questionYou can say:Thank you for your questionI appreciate that question.I'd be delighted to answer your question.That is a very good question.The question you raised right now is a very challenging one, but I willtry.EnglishforAcademicCommunication
Welcome the question You can say: Thank you for your question. I appreciate that question. I’d be delighted to answer your question. That is a very good question. The question you raised right now is a very challenging one, but I will try. English for Academic Communication
Paraphrase the questionBenefits:The audience can betterunderstand the questionAn extra time to clarify whether youhave understood the question andto think of an answer.Eg:Questioner: Have you done the same experiment in China?Presenter: This gentleman would like to know whether we have donethe same experiment in ChinaEnglishfor Academic Communication
Paraphrase the question Benefits: The audience can better understand the question. An extra time to clarify whether you have understood the question and to think of an answer. Eg: Questioner: Have you done the same experiment in China? Presenter: This gentleman would like to know whether we have done the same experiment in China. English for Academic Communication
Reply clearly, briefly, and positivelyEnglishforAcademicCommunication
Reply clearly, briefly, and positively English for Academic Communication
1. Common questions:Clarify some points the presenter has mentioned in the lectureBriefandclearEg:Questioner: Do you mean that developed countries should be moreresponsible for environmental pollution?Presenter: Yes, because economic development has sacrificedenvironment and they are reluctant tooptimize industrial structureEnglishforAcademicCommunication
1. Common questions: Clarify some points the presenter has mentioned in the lecture. Brief and clear Eg: Questioner: Do you mean that developed countries should be more responsible for environmental pollution? Presenter: Yes, because economic development has sacrificed environment and they are reluctant to optimize industrial structure. English for Academic Communication
2. Questions you do not knowBe honest and admit you do not knowYou can say:I don't think I can answer your question.I'm sorry. I don't happen to know the answer to thatquestion, but I'll be happy to check into it for you.I'm not sure that I can answer your question. What I'mgoing to say is not quite an answer to your question.EnglishforAcademicCommunication
2. Questions you do not know Be honest and admit you do not know You can say: I don’t think I can answer your question. I’m sorry. I don’t happen to know the answer to that question, but I’ll be happy to check into it for you. I’m not sure that I can answer your question. What I’m going to say is not quite an answer to your question. English for Academic Communication
Or the presenter could ask another expert for helpYou can say:I think that question could be better answered by Robin thanby me.I think perhaps Dr. Williams would be better able to answerthis question.Robin would be a better person to answer your question sincehe has done a lot of work in this field.Robin is perhaps in a better position to tell us somethingabout it.Englishfor Academic Communication
Or the presenter could ask another expert for help. You can say: I think that question could be better answered by Robin than by me. I think perhaps Dr. Williams would be better able to answer this question. Robin would be a better person to answer your question since he has done a lot of work in this field. Robin is perhaps in a better position to tell us something about it. English for Academic Communication