Using 'Whether' and Indirect Questions

The video tutorial from Ling Portal Online School explains indirect questions, highlighting their importance in making polite requests and asking for information. It contrasts direct and indirect questions, emphasizing the use of modal verbs like 'can', 'could', and 'would' to form indirect questions. The tutorial provides rules for verb placement and punctuation in indirect questions, and discusses the use of 'whether' and 'if' in forming indirect yes/no questions. The video encourages continued practice to master these concepts.

What is the primary purpose of using indirect questions in English?

• To confuse the listener

• To avoid using modal verbs

• To make requests sound more polite

• To shorten the sentence

Which of the following is a direct question?

• Do you know where the nearest bank is?

• Could you tell me where the nearest bank is?

• Where is the nearest bank?

• I wonder where the nearest bank is.

Which modal verbs are commonly used to start indirect questions?

• Do, Does, Did

• May, Might, Should

• Will, Shall, Must

• Can, Could, Would

Which phrase is NOT typically used to form an indirect question?

• Can you tell me

• Would you mind

• Do you have any idea

• I demand to know

What is the correct word order for forming an indirect question?

• Object + Verb + Subject

• Verb + Subject + Object

• Subject + Verb + Object

• Subject + Object + Verb

In indirect questions, where does the verb 'to be' appear?

• After the subject

• Before the subject

• At the end of the sentence

• At the beginning of the sentence

Which auxiliary verbs are used in indirect questions?

• Will, Shall

• Has, Have

• May, Might

• Do, Does, Did

When should a question mark be used in indirect questions?

• Only if the question is a direct quote

• Never

• Only if the question starts with 'Can you tell me'

• Always at the end

Which word is more commonly used in informal indirect questions?

• Whether

• Neither is used

• If

• Both are equally common

In which context is 'whether' preferred over 'if'?

• When asking for directions

• Informal conversations

• Formal contexts

• When making a demand