New here? This is lesson 61 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Tell me more in English
Murray says the jukebox clicked last night. Ana wants more than a short story. She asks for an example, a reason, and how often it happens.
These lines help you follow a story. You ask what it was like, how long it lasted, and if they can be more specific.
"Like what?" is a short way to ask for an example. "Why is that?" asks for the reason.
By the end of this lesson
Ask for an example, a reason, and how often it happens.
- Like what?Please give me an example.
- Why is that?Please explain the reason.
- How often does that happen?How many times does it happen?
- What was it like?How did that feel or seem?
- Can you be more specific?Please give a clearer example.
- How long did it last?How much time did it take?
Scene — the click last night
Same counter at the Blue Plate. Ana sits with her coffee. Murray is on two stools at the end, and his cup is still full.
Dee walks the counter with the pot. The jukebox by the door stays quiet. Murray starts a story about last night.
Learn — ask for more
Six short questions help you ask for more. You will get an example, a reason, and how often it happens.
Like what?
Please give me an example.
When to use it: Say this when you want a small example of what they mean.
This is a short, casual way to ask for an example.
Say it: The stress is on what.
Why is that?
Please explain the reason.
When to use it: Say this when you want the reason for something they said.
That points back to the thing they just said.
How often does that happen?
How many times does it happen?
When to use it: Say this when you want to know if something happens a lot.
Often here means how many times, not soon.
Say it: The stress is on often.
What was it like?
How did that feel or seem?
When to use it: Say this when you want to know how something felt or seemed.
Use was to talk about something in the past.
Can you be more specific?
Please give a clearer example.
When to use it: Say this when their example is still too big or not clear.
This is a polite way to ask for a clearer example.
Say it: The stress is on cif in specific.
How long did it last?
How much time did it take?
When to use it: Say this when you want to know how much time something took.
Did is the past tense helper for a finished time.
Say it: Did often sounds short and weak.
Story — one empty click
Watch Ana ask for more at the counter. Murray talks about the jukebox. Dee keeps the story short.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Morning at the counter. Murray's coffee is still full.
MurrayWell, B7 clicked again last night.The jukebox made a sound last night, with no song.
AnaWhat was it like?How did that feel or seem?- MurrayQuiet. I mean, it wanted a song.The diner was still. He thinks the machine wanted music.
- AnaWhy is that?Please explain the reason.
- MurrayI don't know. That wasn't in the song.He does not know. The old song did not say this.
- AnaSo the jukebox likes songs?She thinks like means the machine has a favorite song.
DeeHon, you asked how it seemed, not what it likes.She tells Ana the question is about the feeling, not a favorite.- AnaLike what?Please give me an example.
- MurrayLike one empty click. Then nothing.The sound was one click with no song.
- AnaCan you be more specific?Please give a clearer example.
- MurrayOne click. No music at all.He heard one click and no song.
- AnaHow long did it last?How much time did it take?
- MurrayA second. Then the diner was still.The sound was very short, then the diner was quiet.
- AnaHow often does that happen?How many times does it happen?
- MurrayNow and then. Not every week.It happens sometimes, but not each week.
- Dee refills his coffee. He still does not drink it.
Practice — example, reason, how often
Ten quick exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round moves fast.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
Like what?Drop the Simple English hereWhy is that?Drop the Simple English hereWhat was it like?Drop the Simple English hereCan you be more specific?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Murray says the jukebox does a few odd things. You want one example, not a reason or a time.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
What was it like?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
How many times does it happen?
How ____ does that happen?
Build the line
Build the line
Please explain the reason.
?
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Murray says:
Pick the reply
The click went on for a while.
The sound continued. Ask how much time it took.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
Murray's story is still too big. You want a clearer example.
Can you be more ____?
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks for the place of the story.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You heard the story. You want Murray's feeling about it, not a picture of the click.
Say it — ask him again
Now you're Ana at the counter. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- MurrayB7 clicked again last night.The jukebox made a sound last night, with no song.
- Ana (you)Ask him the time of this.
Ask him the time of this.
When was that?
At what time did this happen?
0 of 7 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Like what? | Please give me an example. | |
| Why is that? | Please explain the reason. | |
| How often does that happen? | How many times does it happen? | |
| What was it like? | How did that feel or seem? | |
| Can you be more specific? | Please give a clearer example. | |
| How long did it last? | How much time did it take? |
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