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Lesson 05
Everyday Communication
B1

AskingPolitely

Indirect questions: Could you tell me…? · Do you know if…?

60 min Politeness

Your level · You are here

  1. A0/A1Beginner
  2. A1/A2Elementary
  3. A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
  4. B1/B1+Intermediate
  5. B2Upper-Intermediate
  6. C1Advanced
  7. C2Proficiency

Get Talking · Section 1

5 min

Start the conversation

discussion
Direct vs polite

Which sounds friendlier in a shop: 'Where is the milk?' or 'Could you tell me where the milk is?' Why?

reflection
When to soften

Name 3 situations where you'd ALWAYS use a polite indirect question (e.g. airport, hotel, job interview).

activity
Spot the change

Look at 'Where IS the bank?' vs 'Could you tell me where the bank IS?'. What two things change?

Grammar · Section 2

8–10 min

Indirect questions: word order and 'if/whether'

Open in Grammar Bank
How it works
  • An indirect question wraps a direct question inside a polite opener like 'Could you tell me…?', 'Do you know…?', 'I was wondering…'.
  • Two things change: (1) the word order goes back to SUBJECT + VERB (not verb + subject), and (2) for yes/no questions you add IF or WHETHER.
  • The auxiliary 'do/does/did' disappears.
In action

Where is the station? → Could you tell me where the station IS?

What time does it open? → Do you know what time it OPENS?

Is there a bank near here? → Could you tell me IF there's a bank near here?

Did he call? → Do you know WHETHER he called?

Question 1.Make polite: 'Where is the toilet?'

Question 2.Make polite: 'What time does it close?'

Question 3.Yes/no question — use:

Question 4.Most polite:

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Conversation Builder
Say it naturally

Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.

1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

4.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

Quick check 1.Which is INCORRECT?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Vocabulary · Section 3

5–7 min

Words & phrases to learn

Open in Vocabulary Bank
1

Could you tell me…?

polite request for information

In context

"Could you tell me where platform 5 is?"

Now try it yourself

Ask your partner one piece of information in your town starting with 'Could you tell me…?'

2

Do you know…?

softer way to ask a question

In context

"Do you know what time the café closes?"

Now try it yourself

Ask about local opening hours using 'Do you know what time…?'

3

I was wondering if…

very polite, slightly tentative request

In context

"I was wondering if I could change my appointment."

Now try it yourself

Ask your teacher for a small favour using 'I was wondering if…'

4

Would you mind…?

ultra-polite request — answer YES = no problem

In context

"Would you mind speaking a little slower?"

Now try it yourself

Ask your partner to do one small thing using 'Would you mind + -ing?'

5

if/whether

links a yes/no question inside a polite one

In context

"Do you know if the bank is open today?"

Now try it yourself

Turn 'Is it raining?' into a polite indirect question with 'if'.

6

Sorry to bother you, but…

polite opener when interrupting

In context

"Sorry to bother you, but could you tell me where the lift is?"

Now try it yourself

Approach your partner like a stranger and use this opener before asking.

Make it yours
Use the new words

Pick at least three words from above and use each one in a sentence about your real life. Say each one aloud before you write.

Quick exchange

Ask your teacher (or a partner) a question that uses one of today's words. They reply using a different word.

Ranking

Rank today's words from most to least useful for you this week. Defend your top choice.

Opinion

Finish: "Honestly, I'd say…" using one of today's words.

Tip: aim to reuse at least two of these words later in the Speaking and Writing tasks.

Matching
Match each opener with how polite/formal it feels.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Categorise
Group these openers by typical situation.
Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Pronunciation · Section 4

3–4 min

Soft, falling intonation on polite openers

Polite indirect questions use a gentle FALL on the opener and a small RISE on the key information word. Pushing the opener too high makes you sound demanding; keeping it soft makes you sound warm and professional.

  • • Could you tell me ↘ where the station ↗ is?
  • • Do you know ↘ what time it ↗ opens?
  • • I was wondering ↘ if you could ↗ help me.
  • • Would you mind ↘ telling me how much it ↗ costs?

Reading · Section 5

8–10 min

Why direct questions can sound rude in English

In many languages, a direct question — 'Where is the bank?' — is perfectly polite. In English, the same sentence often sounds abrupt, especially when said to a stranger, a shop assistant or a colleague you don't know well. It isn't grammatically wrong; it just feels too 'short' for the social moment.

The fix is the indirect question. By wrapping the same content in an opener like 'Could you tell me…?' or 'Do you know…?', you signal respect for the other person's time and choice to help. Two small changes follow: the word order goes back to normal (subject before verb), and yes/no questions take 'if' or 'whether'. Master this single move and you'll instantly sound 20% more polite — without learning any new vocabulary.

Question 1.According to the passage, what is the main problem with 'Where is the bank?' when said to a stranger?

Question 2.What must you add to a yes/no question when making it indirect?

Question 3.The writer claims you will 'sound 20% more polite — without learning any new vocabulary.' What is the main point of this claim?

Question 4.Why does the writer say the direct question is 'not grammatically wrong; it just feels too short for the social moment'?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
True / False
Decide if each statement is True or False

Q1.Indirect questions are mainly used in academic writing.

Q2.Adding 'Could you tell me…?' makes the same question sound more polite.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Listening · Section 6

8–10 min

At the hotel reception

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Guest:Sorry to bother you — could you tell me what time breakfast finishes?

Receptionist:Of course. It runs until 10:30 on weekdays and 11 at weekends.

Guest:Lovely. And do you know if there's a pharmacy nearby?

Receptionist:There's one just across the square — about a two-minute walk.

Guest:Brilliant. One last thing — I was wondering if I could leave my bags here after check-out?

Receptionist:Absolutely. Would you mind filling in this little tag with your name and room number?

Guest:Not at all. Thanks so much for your help.

Question 1.What time does breakfast finish at weekends?

Question 2.Where is the pharmacy the receptionist mentions?

Question 3.The guest uses three different polite openers during the conversation. What does this suggest?

Question 4.The receptionist uses 'Would you mind filling in this little tag?' rather than 'Fill in this tag.' Why?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Tick what you hear
Tick the polite phrases you hear at the reception desk.
Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Exam tip · Section 7

5 min

Speaking — polite information requests

Task

Roleplay 3 information requests with your teacher (hotel, station, shop). Each must use a different polite opener.

Strategy

OPEN softly ('Sorry to bother you, but…'). CHOOSE your opener: 'Could you tell me…?' for info, 'I was wondering if…' for a favour, 'Would you mind + -ing?' for an action. CHECK word order (subject + verb). THANK warmly.

Example

Sorry to bother you — could you tell me where the platform for the 14:05 to Manchester is? … Brilliant, thanks so much.

Practice · Section 8

8–10 min

Fill in the blank

Question 1.Could you tell me where the station ____?

Question 2.Do you know ____ the shop opens on Sundays?

Question 3.I was ____ if you could help me.

Question 4.Would you mind ____ a little slower, please?

Question 5.Sorry to ____ you, but where's the lift?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.
Sentence transformation
Say it naturally

There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.

Q1.Make polite: 'Where is the toilet?'

Q2.Make polite: 'What time does it open?'

Q3.Make polite: 'Is there a cashpoint nearby?'

Q4.Ask a colleague very politely to repeat something.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Writing · Section 9

5 min

Put it in writing

Your task

Write a short polite email (60–80 words) to a hotel asking 3 questions: check-in time, airport transfer, and whether you can store luggage early. Use a different polite structure for each question.

Your answer

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Show model answer

Dear Reception, I'm staying with you on Friday and I have a few quick questions. Could you tell me what time check-in starts? I was also wondering whether you offer an airport transfer service. Finally, would you mind letting me know if I can leave my luggage at reception before check-in? Many thanks in advance, Sofia

Speaking · Section 10

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open in Useful Expressions

1:1 with your teacher: roleplay three situations back-to-back — hotel reception, train station, shop assistant. Each request must use a different polite opener and a follow-up question. Group extension: set up 'information stations' around the room; students rotate and must ask each 'attendant' a different politely phrased question.

Useful phrases

  • • Sorry to bother you, but…
  • • Could you tell me…?
  • • Do you know if…?
  • • I was wondering if…
  • • Would you mind + -ing?
  • • Thanks so much for your help.

Speaking reflection & notes

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Dialogue completion
Choose the most polite, natural reply.
  • A(to a stranger) Excuse me…
  • B_______________
  • A(asking for the nearest pharmacy)
  • B_______________
  • AIt's just across the square.
  • B_______________
Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Homework · Section 11

Take-home

Take it home

speaking

Record yourself asking 5 polite questions you might really need (e.g. in a hotel, station, café). Use a different opener each time.

writing

Rewrite 6 direct questions as polite indirect ones.

listening

Watch a short hotel/customer-service scene on YouTube and note the polite openers used.

Homework notes

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Recap · Section 12

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • Direct questions can sound abrupt — soften them.
  • Wrap them in: 'Could you tell me…?', 'Do you know…?', 'I was wondering if…'.
  • Word order goes back to subject + verb; drop do/does/did.
  • Yes/no questions take 'if' or 'whether'.
  • Pair with 'Sorry to bother you' and a warm 'thank you'.
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