ELTIS Everyday English Conversations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student asks a librarian, 'Could you help me find a book about American history?' The librarian replies, 'Sure, let me check the catalog.' What does the librarian mean?
- She will look for the book in the library's records (Correct answer)
- She wants the student to wait outside
- She cannot help the student
- She needs to ask another librarian
Correct answer: She will look for the book in the library's records
When someone says 'let me check the catalog,' they mean they will look up the item in the library's record system to find its location.
In everyday English, 'let me check the catalog' is a common library phrase meaning the librarian will search the library's database or card catalog to locate the requested book. The catalog contains records of all books and their shelf locations.
Question 2: During lunch, a classmate says, 'Do you mind if I sit here?' What is the most polite response if you want them to sit down?
- No, not at all. Please sit down. (Correct answer)
- Yes, I mind very much.
- I don't care what you do.
- Why would you ask that?
Correct answer: No, not at all. Please sit down.
'No, not at all' means you do not mind, which is the polite way to invite someone to sit. Saying 'yes' to 'Do you mind' would mean you object.
The phrase 'Do you mind if...?' is a polite request. When you respond with 'No, not at all,' you are saying you have no objection. This is a common source of confusion for English learners because 'no' actually gives permission in this context.
Question 3: A teacher tells the class, 'Please hand in your homework by the end of the day.' What does 'hand in' mean?
- Submit or give your homework to the teacher (Correct answer)
- Throw your homework away
- Share your homework with a friend
- Keep your homework at home
Correct answer: Submit or give your homework to the teacher
'Hand in' is a phrasal verb meaning to submit or turn in an assignment to the person who assigned it.
'Hand in' is one of the most common phrasal verbs in academic English. It means to submit work to a teacher or authority figure. Synonyms include 'turn in' and 'submit.' Understanding phrasal verbs is essential for school success.
Question 4: At a school event, someone says, 'It's nice to meet you. Where are you from originally?' Why do they add the word 'originally'?
- They want to know where the person was born or grew up (Correct answer)
- They think the person is lost
- They want to know the person's address
- They are asking about the person's school
Correct answer: They want to know where the person was born or grew up
Adding 'originally' to 'Where are you from?' indicates the speaker wants to know about the person's hometown, birthplace, or country of origin, not their current address.
In American English, 'Where are you from originally?' is a common conversation starter that asks about someone's place of birth or where they grew up. It differs from 'Where do you live?' which asks about current residence. This question is especially common when meeting international students.
Question 5: A friend texts you, 'Want to grab lunch?' What does 'grab lunch' mean?
- Go eat lunch together quickly or casually (Correct answer)
- Cook a formal dinner
- Take someone else's lunch
- Skip the lunch meal
Correct answer: Go eat lunch together quickly or casually
'Grab lunch' is an informal expression meaning to get or eat lunch, usually in a quick, casual way.
'Grab lunch' is a very common informal American English expression. It suggests a casual, quick meal rather than a formal dining experience. Other similar expressions include 'grab a bite,' 'grab coffee,' or 'grab dinner.' This casual language is frequently used among friends and coworkers.
Question 6: Your host family says, 'Make yourself at home.' What do they want you to do?
- Feel comfortable and relaxed, as if you were in your own home (Correct answer)
- Start cleaning the house
- Leave and go to your own home
- Rearrange the furniture
Correct answer: Feel comfortable and relaxed, as if you were in your own home
'Make yourself at home' is an idiom that means the speaker wants you to feel comfortable and not be too formal or stiff in their house.
'Make yourself at home' is a welcoming expression used by hosts to put guests at ease. It means you should feel free to sit where you like, help yourself to drinks, and generally behave as comfortably as you would in your own home. It does not literally mean to treat the house as your property.
ELTIS Everyday English Conversations 2
A student asks a librarian, 'Could you help me find a book about American history?' The librarian replies, 'Sure, let me check the catalog.' What does the librarian mean?