Situational Responses Test 3

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Question 1

You want to learn how to use a computer. You go to the evening school in your neighbourhood and say:

A	I wouldn’t like to work with computers anymore.
B	I have never tried to work with a computer.
C	I might be interested in buying a computer.
D	They said you could learn how to use a computer.
E	May I register for the computer course?

Question 1 Explanation:

You want to join a class, so you ask to register (sign up) for the course. May I register…? is a polite request. The other options don't ask to join anything.

Question 2

Your friend calls you up and says that it's such a nice day that you should go out together. You agree and say:

A	It would be a good idea to take the car in case of rain.
B	I don't want to go out in the rain.
C	That’s not a bad idea.
D	I want to wait until spring.
E	It's a good day to do the washing.

Question 2 Explanation:

That's not a bad idea is a friendly way of saying "Yes, good idea." It agrees with the plan. The other options talk about rain or say no, which doesn't fit a nice day.

Question 3

Tom is going out. The weather is very cold and he only has a sweater on. You say:

A	It's nice out, isn’t it?
B	You don't have enough on.
C	Your sweater is too heavy for this weather. Why don't you change it?
D	It is too late to go out at this hour.
E	What a lovely sweater!

Question 3 Explanation:

You don't have enough on means you are not wearing enough clothes for the cold. Not "Your sweater is too heavy", because a sweater is too light, not too heavy, for very cold weather.

Question 4

You want to go to a concert next week and you'd like your best friend to go with you. You say to her:

A	Have you heard about the concert last week?
B	Will you be free for the next concert tour?
C	I hear the concert is really good. Let's go together.
D	Why do you want to go?
E	So you didn't like the concert?

Question 4 Explanation:

You invite someone with Let's…: Let's go together. The concert is next week, so options about "last week" or not liking the concert don't fit.

Question 5

You are at a restaurant. The waiter has brought you the wrong dinner. You say:

A	What's for dinner tonight?
B	Could you sum up the bill, please?
C	I'd like a menu.
D	Please check the order. This isn't what I requested.
E	I had ordered my dinner from the other waiter.

Question 5 Explanation:

You politely tell the waiter there is a mistake: This isn't what I requested (= ordered). The other options ask for the menu or the bill, which doesn't solve the problem.

Question 6

You don’t know how to operate the new photocopy machine. The secretary has just walked into the room and you say:

A	What do you know about this matter?
B	Why do you want to change this machine?
C	Who is going to work with the photocopier?
D	Why don't you know how to work this?
E	Can you teach me how this works?

Question 6 Explanation:

You need help using the machine, so you ask the secretary to show you: Can you teach me how this works? Not "Why don't you know how to work this?", because you are the one who doesn't know.

Question 7

You are expecting guests this evening. A friend has dropped by and offered to help you prepare. You say:

A	What do you want me to do?
B	I'll be leaving for my friend's house so I can't work with you.
C	Thanks, I really could use the help.
D	There isn't any time for you to be here.
E	I was expecting you tomorrow.

Question 7 Explanation:

Your friend offers help, so you thank them and accept: I really could use the help means "I need help". Not "What do you want me to do?", because the helper says that, not you.

Question 8

You had planned to go on a picnic today but when you woke up it was raining. You call Jim who was going to go with you and say:

A	Let’s postpone it till next week.
B	The rain is lovely, isn't it?
C	Why not put off the picnic till it starts to rain again?
D	Who's going to go with us?
E	Why don't you want to come with me today?

Question 8 Explanation:

It is raining, so you move the picnic to a later day. Postpone means to change something to a later time. Not "put off the picnic till it starts to rain again", because you want a day without rain.

Question 9

A friend calls and asks you if you are free at the weekend. You must complete a report this weekend. You say:

A	I was going to work anyway.
B	I'm tied up at the moment.
C	This is the report that I was telling you about.
D	I'd be happy to plan the weekend for you.
E	Sorry, I won't be able to spend any time with you this weekend. I’m busy.

Question 9 Explanation:

You have to work on a report, so you politely say no: I won't be able to spend any time with you this weekend. I'm busy. Not "I'm tied up at the moment", because the friend is asking about the weekend, not now.

Question 10

Your mother has just got back from shopping. She has several bags in her arms and is having trouble carrying them. You offer to help by saying:

A	Let me open the bags.
B	You shouldn't have spent so much money.
C	Can I give you a hand?
D	Why don't you take one at a time?
E	Your arms will hurt tomorrow.

Question 10 Explanation:

Give someone a hand means to help them. Can I give you a hand? is a common way to offer help. The other options don't offer to carry anything.

Question 11

You want to buy a new red skirt for yourself. The sales clerk is asking if she can help you. You say:

A	What sizes are available?
B	What size do you take?
C	How long will you be open tonight?
D	Yes, please. I'm looking for a red skirt.
E	Which one would you like to wear?

Question 11 Explanation:

The clerk asks Can I help you?, so you accept and say what you want: Yes, please. I'm looking for… Not "What size do you take?", because the clerk asks that, not the customer.

Question 12

The children are making a lot of noise and you must study for an important exam the next day. You say:

A	Oh, come on; let's play.
B	Please go into the other room and play.
C	Why don't you turn up the volume of the television?
D	Who's going to study for my examination?
E	Do you think I should take the test next week instead?

Question 12 Explanation:

You need quiet to study, so you politely ask the children to play somewhere else: Please go into the other room and play. Turning up the TV would make more noise.

Question 13

You had promised your mother that you would pick your brother up from school on the way home. You are late getting out of work and are not able to keep your promise. You call your mother and say:

A	I didn't remember to keep my promise.
B	I'll be late home. Can you remind my brother?
C	I won't be able to get him out of the school.
D	I'm not going to be able to meet you.
E	I haven't been able to finish up here. Would you send Dad to get him?

Question 13 Explanation:

You explain that you are still at work (I haven't been able to finish up here) and ask for another way to get your brother: Would you send Dad to get him? The other options don't solve the problem.

Question 14

You have decided to go to Spain on your holiday. You call the travel agency and say:

A	Will you be going to Spain this year?
B	Are there any rooms at the Spanish hotel?
C	Is this a very good idea at this time of the year?
D	Never mind. I'll go with you next time.
E	Will you give me some information about touring Spain?

Question 14 Explanation:

A travel agency gives travel information, so you ask: Will you give me some information about touring Spain? Not "Will you be going to Spain this year?", because you are going, not the agent.

Question 15

The telephone is ringing but your hands are full and you can't answer it. Your sister is in the other room and you say:

A	Susan, can you please get that?
B	I'll see who that is.
C	Please see who is at the door.
D	Take these out of my hands, please.
E	What are you going to do with the phone?

Question 15 Explanation:

You can't answer the phone, so you ask your sister to do it: Can you please get that? (get the phone = answer it). Not "see who is at the door", because it's the telephone ringing, not the doorbell.

Question 16

You are waiting for a friend at the bus station. Another friend has come with you and asks what your friend looks like. You say:

A	You don’t know him.
B	I'll introduce you when he gets here.
C	He looks like his cousin Joseph, who you know.
D	The one who phoned me yesterday.
E	It doesn't really matter.

Question 16 Explanation:

Your friend asks about appearance, so you describe it: He looks like (= resembles) someone your friend knows. Not "The one who phoned me yesterday", because that says nothing about how he looks.

Question 17

You went to the ballet last night. A friend has just asked you what it was like. You say:

A	They sang many lovely songs.
B	He was the most interesting speaker I've ever listened to.
C	We enjoyed ourselves immensely.
D	I'll go with you next time.
E	You should have come when he asked you to.

Question 17 Explanation:

We enjoyed ourselves immensely means we had a very good time, so it describes the evening. Not "They sang many lovely songs", because in a ballet people dance, they don't sing.

Question 18

You get onto the bus and someone is sitting in your seat. You say:

A	What are you going to do there?
B	It would be a good idea to change your mind about this trip.
C	Have you gone by bus before?
D	When did you buy your ticket?
E	I believe you are in my place.

Question 18 Explanation:

I believe you are in my place is a polite way to say someone is sitting in your seat. I believe makes it softer. The other options are about the trip, not the seat.

Question 19

Your friend has just given you flowers. There is no special occasion today. You are puzzled and say:

A	What is this for?
B	How thoughtful of you to remember!
C	Let me have them.
D	Who do you want me to give them to?
E	Why do you always pick the same flowers?

Question 19 Explanation:

You are surprised because there is no special day, so you ask the reason: What is this for? Not "How thoughtful of you to remember!", because there is nothing to remember today.

Question 20

You have been taking sewing classes and have just made your first article of clothing. You show it to your mother and say:

A	I told you I wouldn't be able to manage.
B	What do you think, Mom?
C	Who is that for?
D	Can you help fix this?
E	I wanted you to see this before I bought it.