logo
1 First person questions 2 Third person questions 3 Open questions: which 4 Open questions: how 5 Closed questions 6 Choice questions 7 Mixed questions 8 Responses I 9 Responses II 10 Review
To be created

Unit 6 Choice questions

Learning outcomes

By the end of this unit you should:

  • be able to ask choice questions using "or"
  • understand rise-fall intonation in choice questions
  • have practised expressing preferences
cube

Activity 1: Language focus - Choice questions with "or"

Choice questions offer two or more options and use "or" to connect them. They use rise-fall intonation.

Work alone or with a partner to complete these choice questions.

Do you prefer tea or coffee?

Would you like to watch a movie or read a book?

Should we go by train or by bus?

Are you going to study English or Japanese next year?

Practice asking and answering the questions. Use "I prefer..." or "I'd like..." in your answers.

discussion

Activity 2: Shadowing practice

Listen to these choice questions and answers. Then say them at the same time and in the same way as your tutor.

  1. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
    I prefer coffee to tea.
  2. Would you like to eat Japanese or Italian food?
    I'd like Japanese food, please.
  3. Should we meet in the morning or afternoon?
    Let's meet in the afternoon.
  4. Are you going to drive or take the train?
    I think I'll take the train.

Work in pairs. One person asks choice questions. One person answers. Afterwards, change roles.

Activity 3: Role play

Practise these role plays in pairs.

You and a friend are planning a weekend together. Make decisions using choice questions.

  1. Should we go to the cinema or the park?
    Let's go to the park. The weather is nice.
  2. Do you want to have lunch at home or in a restaurant?
    I'd prefer to eat in a restaurant.
  3. Would you like to leave early or late?
    I'd like to leave early to avoid traffic.
  4. Should we invite Tom or Sarah?
    Let's invite both of them!

When you have finished one role play. Change roles. Repeat.

Activity 4: Pronunciation focus - Rise-fall intonation

Read this explanation about rise-fall intonation in choice questions.

Choice questions use a special intonation pattern called rise-fall. Your voice rises on the first option and falls on the second option. This shows that the choice is complete.

Practice saying these choice questions with rise-fall intonation:

  1. Tea ↗ or coffee ↘?
  2. By train ↗ or by bus ↘?
  3. Now ↗ or later ↘?
  4. Pizza ↗ or pasta ↘?
  5. Stay home ↗ or go out ↘?
  6. Red ↗ or blue ↘?

Activity 5: Showing interest

Read.

When someone makes a choice, you can show interest by asking follow-up questions about their preference.

  1. Person: "I prefer coffee."
    You: "Oh really? Why do you prefer coffee?"
  2. Person: "I'd like to go to the park."
    You: "Good choice! What do you want to do there?"
  3. Person: "I think I'll take the train."
    You: "That's smart! Is it faster than driving?"
  4. Person: "I prefer Italian food."
    You: "Nice! What's your favorite Italian dish?"

Practice asking follow-up questions when people express preferences.

Activity 6: Fluency practice

Work in pairs or groups. Practice making decisions using choice questions in these scenarios.

Plan weekend activities with a friend. Ask choice questions about where to go and what to do.

Choose a restaurant for dinner. Discuss cuisine types, locations, and price ranges using choice questions.

Select a gift for a mutual friend. Ask choice questions about different options and preferences.

Plan a vacation together. Use choice questions to decide on destinations, transportation, and activities.



Activity 7: Common errors

Work alone or with a partner. Identify and correct the errors below:

Do you like tea or coffee? (Use "or" for choice questions, not "and")

Do you prefer coffee or tea? (Need auxiliary verb "do")

Would you like to drive or take the train? (Need "to" before infinitive)

I prefer coffee to tea. (Use "to" with "prefer", not "than")

Ask your tutor to explain any errors you are unsure about.

Review

Can you:

  1. ask choice questions using "or"?
  2. use rise-fall intonation correctly?
  3. express preferences using "I prefer... to..." and "I'd like..."?

If you can not, make sure that you do before your next class.