English - Lesson 27 of 139: Follow-Up Questions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

What do you mean?

Ask someone to clarify meaning

Meaning: Ask someone to clarify meaning.

When to use: Use this when you hear words or an idea, but you do not understand the meaning.

Tip: Don’t say “What means?” Say “What do you mean?”

What do you mean by “busy season”?

Ask for the meaning of an idea.

I’m not sure I understand. What do you mean?

Ask someone to explain more clearly.

Can you speak more slowly, please?

Ask someone to slow down

Meaning: Ask someone to slow down.

When to use: Use this when the other person is speaking too fast for you.

Tip: Use “more slowly,” not “slowlier.”

Can you speak more slowly, please? I’m still learning.

Ask politely for slower speech.

Sorry, can you speak more slowly, please?

A simple polite request.

How do you spell ___?

Ask how to spell a word or name

Meaning: Ask how to spell a word or name.

When to use: Use this for names, addresses, emails, forms, or new words.

Tip: Say “How do you spell it?” not “How to spell it?” in a question.

How do you spell your last name?

Ask for the letters in a name.

How do you spell “receipt”?

Ask for the spelling of a word.

Can you tell me more about ___?

Invite someone to give more detail

Meaning: Invite someone to give more detail.

When to use: Use this when you are interested and want the person to explain more.

Can you tell me more about your new job?

Ask for more details about a job.

Can you tell me more about the class?

Ask for more information about a class.

What happened next?

Ask for the next event in a story

Meaning: Ask for the next event in a story.

When to use: Use this when someone is telling a story and you want to hear the next part.

You missed the train? What happened next?

Ask for the next part of the story.

Then she called you. What happened next?

Ask what came after that.

Why do you think that?

Ask for a reason or explanation

Meaning: Ask for a reason or explanation.

When to use: Use this when someone gives an opinion and you want to know the reason.

You think it’s a good idea. Why do you think that?

Ask for the reason behind an opinion.

David says the movie is funny. Why do you think that?

Ask someone to explain their opinion.

How did you feel about it?

Ask about someone's reaction or feeling

Meaning: Ask about someone’s reaction or feeling.

When to use: Use this after someone talks about an experience.

You finished the big test. How did you feel about it?

Ask about feelings after an event.

You moved to a new city. How did you feel about it?

Ask about someone’s reaction.

What about you?

Return the same question to the other person

Meaning: Return the same question to the other person.

When to use: Use this after you answer a question and want to ask the other person the same thing.

I like tea. What about you?

Ask the other person the same preference question.

My weekend was quiet. What about you?

Ask about the other person’s weekend.

What kind of ___?

Ask for a more specific type or category

Meaning: Ask for a more specific type or category.

When to use: Use this when a person gives a general word, and you want a more exact type.

You bought a new phone? What kind of phone?

Ask for the type of phone.

You like music? What kind of music?

Ask for the type of music.

Which one are you talking about?

Ask someone to identify a specific item or choice

Meaning: Ask someone to identify a specific item or choice.

When to use: Use this when there are several possible things and you do not know which one they mean.

There are three keys here. Which one are you talking about?

Ask which key the person means.

I see two cafés. Which one are you talking about?

Ask which café is meant.

When was that?

Ask for the time of an event already mentioned

Meaning: Ask for the time of an event already mentioned.

When to use: Use this when someone talks about an event, and you want to know when it happened.

You visited Paris? When was that?

Ask when the visit happened.

You met David before? When was that?

Ask when the meeting happened.

Where did that happen?

Ask for the place of an event already mentioned

Meaning: Ask for the place of an event already mentioned.

When to use: Use this when someone talks about an event, and you want to know the place.

You saw a street concert? Where did that happen?

Ask where the concert happened.

You lost your bag? Where did that happen?

Ask for the place of the event.

Who were you with?

Ask who was involved in an event

Meaning: Ask who was involved in an event.

When to use: Use this when someone talks about an activity and you want to know the people there.

You went hiking last weekend? Who were you with?

Ask who went hiking with the person.

You had dinner downtown? Who were you with?

Ask who joined the dinner.

English - Follow-Up Questions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which question asks someone to explain the meaning?

Your friend is speaking too fast. What can you say?

Someone says, “I went camping last weekend.” You want to know the people there. What do you ask?

You answer, “I like coffee.” Now you want to ask the other person the same question. What do you say?

Anna: “I went to a new restaurant last night.” David: “What kind of restaurant? Italian, Thai, or something else?”

David: “I met Anna at a big conference.” Anna: “When was that? Was it last year?”

Anna: “There are two blue bags here. Please take mine.” David: “Which one are you talking about? The small one or the big one?”

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice