Checking understanding 2024

How to check understanding

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Think of a time when you had trouble communicating with someone because of a language barrier or other reasons. Share your experiences with your partner and discuss what you did to overcome the situation and understand each other

Multiple Choice

a: Please bring the documents tomorrow.

b: Could you be more_______ as to which documents?

• specific

• accurate

• particular

Multiple Choice

a: Can you see the beech over there? 

b: What do you mean by the beach? We’re in the forest.

a: Beech _______in a tree.  

• for

• as

• like

Multiple Choice

a: ______to be clear, do you want me to get up at five

tomorrow?

b: I just think that if you get up at five you should have enough time to prepare for the trip. 

• Only

• Just

• Simply

Multiple Choice

a: We can’t apply for the grant this month.  

b: I’m afraid I don’t_____. 

a: Well, the deadline for this month was yesterday,_____ is

to say, we’ll need to apply next month. 

• follow
  which

• get
  that

• attend
  what

Multiple Choice

a: Just turn right at the lights and it’ll be on the left. 

b: Sorry, I didn’t quite ____ that. Did you say I should turn 

left?

• pick

• grab

• catch

Multiple Choice

a: If we don’t outsource some of the work, we won’t be able to meet the 

deadline. 

b: Could you comment/elaborate/specify on that?

• comment

• elaborate

• specify

Categorize

Options (7)

which is to say

as in

Just to be clear

Could you be more specific?

I’m afraid I don’t follow

 I didn’t quite catch that

Could you elaborate on that?

Which of the phrases can be used to clarify and which to ask for clarification (some can be used for both)?

Phrases to clarify

Phrases to ask for clarification

Could you be more specific as to...
as in...
Just to be clear...
I'm afraid I don't follow
I didn't quite catch that...
Could you elaborate on that

​Student A picks a situation and asks Student B for some information. Student B responds but Student A is not always sure about what Student B means.

Categorize

Options (8)

Let me rephrase that

1. I’m trying to suggest that…

Like/As I said…

1. What I’m trying to say is…

1. What I meant to say was…

So what you’re saying is…

In other words...

In other words

Say which of the phrases can be used to clarify, and which to ask for clarification. Some can be used in both situations.

to clarify

to ask for clarification

Student A picks a situation and asks Student B for some information. Student B responds but Student A is not always sure about what Student B means

•You're shopping for home improvement supplies and you're not sure which type of paintbrush to use for a specific project. Ask a member of staff for clarification.

•You're on a train and you're not sure if it's the correct one for your destination. Ask another passenger for clarification.

•In a job interview, the interviewer mentions a company policy that you'd like more information about. Ask for clarification.

​Could you be more specific as to... as in... Just to be clear... I'm afraid I don't follow I didn't quite catch that... Could you elaborate on that

​Let me rephrase that.  So what you’re saying is… I’m trying to suggest that… Like/As I said… In other words...  What I’m trying to say is… What I meant to say was…

​Student A: Interview your partner for a job, clarifying or asking for more details on everything they say.
Student B: Your Internet connection is slow. You can’t hear all the questions clearly

​Student A: Give some instructions on how to use a piece of technology
Student B: You’re 99 years old. It’s challenging for you to understand how to use that piece of technology