Indirect

Lead-in

  • Are you a a straightforward person? Why do you say that?
  • What kind of situations make you feel insecure or afraid of giving your opinion? Why?
  • Have you ever used one of the following expressions? Which one(s)?

Presentation

Pre

  • Have you ever felt like writing a song? Why or why not?

Top Down

  • What is an appropriate title for this song? Read it and find out!
  • Answer me.
  • Would you mind?
  • Can you tell me?
  • Answer me.
  • Would you mind?
  • Can you tell me?

Would you mind if I lean on you for a little while?
It’s good to help each other
Would you mind if I ask you one last favour
‘Cause we’ve always been like brothers

Would you mind if I told you honestly
What’s really been happening to me?
Would you reach out or will you let me fall?
It doesn’t matter ’cause I’ll never risk that call

Would you mind if I lean on you for a little while?
Do me one last favour
Would you mind if we stopped telling each other lies?
‘Cause I’m trying to be braver

Would you mind if I told you honestly
What’s really been happening to me?
Would you reach out or will you let me fall?
It doesn’t matter ’cause I’ll never risk that call

Would you mind if I told you honestly
What’s really been happening to me?
Would you reach out or will you let me fall?
It doesn’t matter ’cause I’ll never risk that call
It doesn’t matter ’cause I’ll never risk that call

Bottom Up

  • True or False?
  1. The song is about a fraternal relationship.
  2. The song is about someone who is probably feeling alone and left out.
  3. Its obvious that the song is about a girl.
  4. It’s implied that the person is not trying to fight against the bad feelings.
  5. It’s about an honest relationship.
  1. The song is about a fraternal relationship. True.
  2. The song is about someone who is probably feeling alone and left out. True.
  3. Its obvious that the song is about a girl. False.
  4. It’s implied that the person is not trying to fight against the bad feelings. False.
  5. It’s about an honest relationship. False.

Post

  • What do you think about relationships like the one described in the song?
  • Do you usually ask other people for help? In what situations?

Target Language

Indirect Questions

Direct

  • Do you watch “Suits”?
  • Is he sad?
  • Do you use your phone for more than 10 hours a day?
  • Is this towel clean?

Indirect

  • I’d like to know if you watch “Suits”.
  • I wonder/was wondering if he is sad.
  • Could/Can you tell me if you use your phone for more than 10 hours a day?
  • Do you know if this towel is clean?

Wh- questions

Introduction + Wh- word + subject + verb

Direct

  • Where have you parked your truck?
  • What have you watched?

Indirect

  • Can you tell me where you have parked your truck?
  • Would you mind telling me what you have watched?

Do you like…? / Can you tell me if you like…?

Controlled Practice

  • Match the beginning to the end of the sentences. There is one example.
  1. He’d like to know…
  2. I wonder if…
  3. Are they looking…
  4. Can you tell me…
  5. Would she mind…

(   ) you’re free on Saturday. I’d like to go out.

(   ) if I borrow her computer?

(   ) if you like peaches?

(1) if I like him. I said no but he doesn’t believe me.

(   ) for a new job?!

  1. He’d like to know…
  2. I wonder if…
  3. Are they looking…
  4. Can you tell me…
  5. Would she mind…

(2) you’re free on Saturday. I’d like to go out.

(5) if I borrow her computer?

(4) if you like peaches?

(1) if I like him. I said no but he doesn’t believe me.

(3) for a new job?!

Freer Practice

  • Complete the sentences with your own words.
  1. Would you mind telling me…
  2. Can I…
  3. Do you think you can…
  4. I was wondering if the new “Batman” movie…
  5. Would you mind helping me…

Production

  • Change the indirect questions from “Freer Practice” into direct (And vice versa).
  • Create 5 more indirect questions. Then, answer them.

Homework

Fill the gaps with “can” or “would you mind”.

Example: _______ I borrow your pen? < Can I borrow your pen?

  1. Hey, mom, _______ if I got a cat?
  2. I want to know if I _______ write a note in this paper.
  3. _______ I go home now?
  4. _______ if I stay here five more minutes?
  5. _______ if I say something?
  1. Hey, mom, would you mind if I got a cat?
  2. I want to know if I can write a note in this paper.
  3. Can I go home now?
  4. Would you mind if I stay here five more minutes?
  5. Would you mind if I say something?

Change the questions into indirect form using the words in parenthesis. 

Example: Does she want to read this book? (Can) > Can you tell me if she wants to read this book?

  1. Do you study English? (I’d like)
  2. Is she going to the gym? (wonder)
  3. Is he cleaning his house like he should? (Could)
  4. Is lunch ready? (Do you) 
  5. Did I leave my book at your house? (Would)
  1. I’d like to know if you study English. 
  2. I wonder if she is going to the gym. 
  3. Could you tell me if he is cleaning his house like he should? 
  4. Do you know if lunch is ready? 
  5. Would you mind telling me if I left my book at your house?

Put the sentences in the negative form.

Example:  I would like to know if you want a ride. > I wouldn’t like to know if you want a ride.

  1. I’d like to know if Carla is married.
  2. I wonder if the students did their homework.
  3. They were wondering if they aced the test.
  4. I’d like to know if you eat red meat.
  5. She was wondering if I would invite her.
  1. I wouldn’t like to know if Carla is married.
  2. I don’t wonder if the students did their homework.
  3. They weren’t wondering if they aced the test.
  4. I wouldn’t like to know if you eat red meat.
  5. She wasn’t wondering if I would invite her.

Put the words in the correct order to make sentences.

Example: you’re / he / to / know / if / would / like / married > He would like to know if you’re married.

  1. in  / I / if / terested in / a / buying / wonder / house. / you’re 
  2. Can / more / you / she / tell / if / wants / juice? / me 
  3. you / he / asking / Would / him/ needs / if / time? / mind / more 
  4. wondering / She / if / to / I / more / want / adopt / was / one / cat.
  5. towel / Can’t / tell / where / me / the / is? / you 
  1. I wonder if you’re in terested in buying a house.
  2. Can you tell me if she wants more juice?
  3. Would you mind asking him if he needs more time?
  4. She was wondering if I want to adopt one more cat.
  5. Can’t you tell me where the towel is?

Find and correct the mistakes.

Example: I wonder you can do me a favor. > I wonder if you can do me a favor.

  1. I would like to check if they goes to that yoga school.
  2. Can she help me does the dishes?
  3. I wander if you can bring me food.
  4. Would you mind teling me where McDonald’s is?
  5. Can you tell me if the test is tomorow?
  1. I would like to check if they go to that yoga school.
  2. Can she help me do the dishes?
  3. I wonder if you can bring me food.
  4. Would you mind telling me where McDonald’s is?
  5. Can you tell me if the test is tomorrow?

Writing

Think about things you ask people frequently and write them as indirect questions.

Example: Would you mind making me lunch?