Q.1
Which is the most usual phrase that someone in a shop, or other 'public-facing role', would use when approaching another person that has newly come in?
  • 'Can I help you?'
  • 'Good morning, how may I help you?'
  • 'Could I help you?'
  • 'Excuse me, might I help you?'
Q.2
In case the shop assistant (or whoever) has not already come to help you, what might you best say?
  • 'Excuse me; would you mind awfully coming over here a couple of moments and giving me a bit of help?'
  • ''I'd be glad if you could help me, please.'
  • 'Would you be able to help me a moment, please?'
  • 'Could you please help me a little?'
Q.3
Which of these is the clearest, but firmest, polite request?
  • Turn down your music and make less noise.
  • Can you turn down your music, please, and make less noise?
  • Could you turn down that music and make a bit less noise?
  • Why don't you shut up with that radio?
Q.4
Pick the answer which fills the blank/s using the best and clearest accurate English. 'It would help to know whether or not we ... ... take our sixteen-year-old daughter into the pub.'
  • ... can ...
  • ... may ..
  • ... might ...
  • ... could ...
Q.5
Which is the most subtle ~ yet still clear ~ way of asking : ' ... ... your jacket this evening?'
  • May I, please, borrow ...
  • Would you mind if I borrowed ...
  • Would it be all right with you if I were to borrow ...
  • Please can you lend me ...
Q.6
Which of these would be the LEAST subtle way of opening an awkward topic in conversation?
  • Would you mind if I ask you a question?
  • Can I ask you a question?
  • I'm afraid there's something I've been meaning to ask you.
  • Excuse me, have you got a moment? I believe we need to talk about X.
Q.7
(...) And which of these would be the MOST gentle and sensitive way to steer the conversation towards your tricky question?
  • Would you mind my asking you a question?
  • Can I ask you something?
  • I'm afraid there's something I've been meaning to ask you.
  • Excuse me, have you got a moment? I believe we need to talk about X.
Q.8
Which of these would be the most appropriate way to offer a suggestion to a friend who is 'feeling a bit sorry for himself'?
  • Why not find a nice feelgood film to watch on the t.v.?
  • How about finding a nice film to watch?
  • Hadn't you thought about watching a nice film?
  • I wonder if it had occurred to you to have a look at any films, at all?
Q.9
If one person finds it hard to believe, or accept, a piece of behaviour by someone else, the classic question in English is usually:
  • How dare you ... ?
  • How could you ... ?
  • How did you ... ?
  • Why have you ... ?
Q.10
Which of these would be 'just about right' in a situation where you are at a table among quite a lot of English friends?
  • 'Please pass the pepper.'
  • 'Could you please pass me the pepper?'
  • 'Would you mind passing me the pepper, please?'
  • 'I want some pepper.'
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